If you have newly installed solar panels, and your roof is leaking – you may think that the panels themselves are causing your issues. After all, anytime a roofer puts holes in the structure, there is a possibility for water intrusion – correct?
In actuality, solar panel installation rarely causes roof leaks. In this blog, we will discuss how solar panels are installed, what precautions are in place to prevent leaks, and what may be causing the roof leaks after all.
How Solar Panels are Installed
Yes, the professional roofers who are installing the solar panels will have to drill several holes in your roofing materials. However, contemporary systems have been designed with special attachments which reliably divert water away from the panels and down your roof to the gutters. These attachments usually provide a raised barrier which diverts water as it runs down the roof.
Most solar panel configurations involve affixing mounted rails to the roof, and the panels are attached to the rails. The panels are stationary and have no moving parts, so friction or erosion is not a problem.
In fact, many experts will tell you that solar panels help to extend the life of your roof. The panels prevent harsh UV rays from deteriorating your shingles or tiles, and they also keep pounding rain from causing any erosion.
What May Cause a Roof Leak
Of course, if the panels are improperly installed, you may run into issues. However, any water intrusion problems should appear very quickly – certainly within the first rainy season after installation.
It is important to remember that all roofing materials are not created equally when it comes to solar panel compatibility. Asphalt and composite shingle roofs are the most easily accepting of the panels, while wood shingles and clay tiles (common in Sarasota) may need some retrofitting to be installed correctly with no danger of leaks.
What Else Could Be Causing My Roof Leak?
There are many issues which may be causing your roof leak. If you are experiencing water problems soon after the panel installation, you may wish to investigate if any of the roofing material was damaged during the process. Oftentimes, people walking on your roof can cause broken or damaged tiles, and dragging solar panels across the roof may also have caused some structural damage. If a tile broke and the underlayment was ripped, a leak may occur.
Debris also causes many problems on your roof, so be sure that all extraneous materials are cleared off your roof after installation. You may also wish to trim back any tree branches that may scrape against your roof or solar panels – not to mention block the sun!
If you have looked into all of the probable causes for your roof leak and can’t seem to find the reason for the problem – call a Sarasota roofing professional for an immediate inspection!
Installing solar panels on your roof is a green and cost-effective way to deliver solar energy to your home and to increase your home’s efficiency. If you are working with a licensed and insured solar panel installation company, the materials and panels themselves are generally under warranty for 25 years or more – meaning that properly installed, your new panels should provide many decades of clean energy to your home, while saving you thousands of dollars and contributing to helping the environment.
For any roofing questions or concerns, call the professional team at Avery Roof Services. We are happy to help you to identify, diagnose, and fix any roof issues you may have.
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