Having solar panels installed comes with plenty of benefits. They generate tremendous cost savings in the long run. They’re more than worth every penny. However, before you think about hiring pros to install them, here are a few things you need to know.
Check If Your Roof Needs Repairs
Before you hire solar roofing services, have your roof assessed. There’s no point in installing panels on a roofing system that will fall apart in less than ten or six years. Hire roofers to install a new one before you think about anything else.
Consider Roofing Shape
Not all roofing shapes can work with solar panels. If you’ve got a super steep roof, that might not work. Also, is there enough space for the panels? That’s another consideration you need to keep in mind.
Factor in the Weight of the Roof
How much weight can the roof handle? You don’t want to add weight that could compromise the structural integrity of your roof. Find out first if the weight of the panels might affect the roof. If there’s a potential that it might contribute to the deterioration of the roof, you might need to consider adding support to handle the added weight before those panels are installed.
Know Where the Water Will Go
Water runs down the roof and into the gutters when it rains. That keeps the water away from your foundation, so it doesn’t affect your home. When you put solar panels on your roof, though, you’ll need to make sure the water route isn’t disturbed. That will require using harnesses and racking to make sure the water will flow and drain properly. Talk to the contractors about your concerns, so they can discuss options with you that ensure the water runoff won’t be negatively affected.
Insurance Will Help
If you live in an area with constant bad weather, you’ll want to consider getting insurance to cover any potential disaster or damage that your solar panels might sustain during a weather event. Make sure your panels are ready for whatever kind of weather is the norm for where you live.
Look for a Trustworthy Contractor
Mistakes during the installation could affect the operational efficiency of the panels in the long run. Prevent that problem by hiring the services of an experienced contractor. How long has the contractor been around? Are there plenty of positive reviews? Use all that to figure out if you’re getting the right contractor for your project.
