The good news is that more homeowners are hopping on the bandwagon of sustainable energy. The benefits of harnessing solar power are widespread, including the opportunity to save on costs and receive lucrative tax deductions.
However, many homes have roofs that will need work before solar panels can be installed. Old or damaged roofs, along with frail roofing materials, aren't enough to uphold solar panels. This is why you should assess your home to determine if it's ready to sustain solar panels.
The following steps will help you begin your journey towards harnessing renewable energy.
1. It starts with an inspection (and repairs)
The first step you should carry out is having your roof professionally inspected. An inspection is important because solar panels add weight and stability complications to any roof. This is why you should check if roofing layers are damaged, leaking or loose.
For example, misplaced tiles (or a damaged underlayment) may need to be repaired even before the first solar panel is installed. An inspection also allows you to determine where mounting racks, screws and other hardware will be positioned.
2. Install a new roof layer (if necessary)
Depending on the current condition of your roof, you may need to install a new layer (or a new roof entirely). Re-roofing your home is an excellent way of ensuring that your solar panel investment will last for many years to come. In most cases, repairing a roof that already has solar panels installed will be quite expensive. This is why it makes sense to ensure that your roof is in top shape before investing in solar.
There are several situations where re-roofing makes more sense than undergoing repairs. For example, you may wish to replace damaged asphalt shingles with more durable options such as slate, metal or concrete.
3. Relocate roofing infrastructure
If your vents, TV antennas, water pipes and cables are in the way, consider shifting them to a new position before installing your solar panels. There should be a dedicated area where your solar panels will receive maximum exposure to the sun without being blocked by roofing fixtures.
Position your fixtures on a part of the roof that receives minimal sun exposure. In this way, you'll be making maximum use of the roof's surface area to harness as much energy as possible.
4. Strengthen areas of interest
When installing solar panels, you'll first need to place the mounting racks and other infrastructure in place. Position your mounting racks in areas of the roof that can sustain additional weight. You may also need to add an extra layer of shingles to provide enough support for your solar panels.
For more information, reach out to a roofing company.
