You’ve probably heard all sorts of things about solar panels and roof warranties. Some say they’ll void your warranty entirely, while others insist there’s nothing to worry about. It’s enough to make anyone scratch their head and wonder, what is really true? I decided to take it upon myself to dig deeper and clear up the confusion. Read further as I explain the truth behind the misconception of solar panels and roof warranties.
Do Solar Panels Void Roof Warranty?
After having reviewed the warranty pages of several major names in the residential roofing industry – no, installing solar panels will not void your roof warranty, provided the installation is done correctly.
Let’s explore further what this means by looking into the common misconceptions surrounding the subject.
Misconception #1: Installing Solar Panels Can Damage Your Roof and Void the Warranty
As long as the solar installer follows the roofer’s guidelines for installing solar panels, your roof shouldn’t be damaged, and your roof warranty will remain intact.
These guidelines typically involve using specific mounting hardware, like racks, brackets, and flashings, for the panels.
And for this reason, installation should always be done by a certified solar installer who understands and strictly complies with these requirements.
However, even if damage occurs, whether accidental or necessary (such as drilling into the roof to secure the racking), you don’t need to worry about your warranty getting invalidated…
While the roofing warranty won’t likely cover this damage, your solar workmanship warranty most likely will.
As for the rest of the roof that remains unaffected, it will remain covered by your original roof warranty.
Lastly, to clear up any concerns about solar panels damaging your roof – quite the opposite is true. Solar panels act as the first line of defense against heavy rain, snow, and hail, which actually helps extend the life of your roof.
Misconception #2: Removing Solar Panels Can Damage Your Roof and Void the Warranty
Solar panels are mounted on the roof via a rail system, which is designed not only to securely hold your panels in place but also to allow them to be easily detached from your roof when needed.
Pair that with a certified solar company to get the job done, and your solar panel system should be removed without any unnecessary roof damage.
In the event that roof damage occurs during removal (for example, if a shingle gets torn), your solar installer’s workmanship warranty – not your roof warranty – will cover that specific damage.
Although, one related point worth mentioning is that, in most cases, the cost of removing and reinstalling the panels will fall on you as the homeowner. You’ll want to check with your home insurance to see if they can cover this cost.
Misconception #3: Solar Panels Are Too Heavy and Will Cause Roof Structural Damage, Voiding the Warranty
Solar panels typically weigh around 40 pounds, about the same as a small luggage bag you’d carry through the airport. This weight is minimal for your roof and, in most cases, won’t cause any damage that would void your warranty.
A general rule of thumb I stand by is, the younger your roof, the better. A newly built roof is at its peak strength and condition, and will likely outlast the typical 25-year lifespan of your solar panels.
If you’re concerned about your existing roof’s ability to support your panels, rest assured that during the solar permitting phase, it’s our responsibility as solar installers to assess your roof’s condition and provide you with actionable recommendations before doing installation work.
What Situations Will Void Roof Warranty?
Roof warranties are typically only voided if the solar panels are installed incorrectly, and this usually stems from poor workmanship and low work standards by the solar installer. Some ways this can happen include:
- Installing solar panels on a roof that wasn’t designed with the load-bearing capacity needed for solar panels.
- Failing to properly seal and weatherproof the roof after installation, leading to leaks or water damage.
- A solar panel installer causing significant damage to the roof, either through reckless negligence or lack of proper training (which is common in DIY applications).
That said, it’s not just the solar installation side of things that can mess with your roof warranty. The risk of it being voided also come when other roofing work is involved, particularly when you hire a different roofing contractor for repairs or extra work.
In this case, your warranty with the original roofer is void. And that makes sense – if the original roof has been altered, the roofer wouldn’t want to take responsibility, especially if the second contractor’s works leads to issues..
It’s always best to get in touch with your roofing contractor, or visit their website to review the specific terms of their roof warranty, particularly in relation to solar panel installation.
Who’s Actually Responsible for Repairing My Roof When I Have Solar Panels Installed?
If your roof is damaged or malfunctions due to the installation of your solar panels, the responsibility to repair or replace it falls on the solar installer under their workmanship warranty.
On the other hand, defects on your roof’s valley, around a chimney or skylight, or in other areas far from your panels should be taken care of by your roofing company.
Say, you experience leaking a year from having your panels installed. How can you figure out whether that’s a solar installation issue or a roofing issue?
Here’s a simple litmus test I often share with homeowners:
- Go inside your house and find where the leak is happening.
- Trace the leak to its source by looking at the backside of the roof above it.
If the source lines up directly under where the solar panels are attached, the problem likely comes from the solar installation. In this case, we can say your roof warranty is partially void as it won’t cover the roof repair, but rather your solar company’s warranty.
If the leak emanates elsewhere, then it’s probably unrelated to the solar panels and would therefore fall under the roofing company’s warranty.
What Types of Roofing Materials are Most Affected by Solar Panel Installations?
When we say a roof is “affected” by solar panel installations, we’re referring to anything that might involve drilling holes, removing nails, or prying materials.
At Avail Solar, we’ve worked on various types of roofs, but tile roofs – like clay or slate – are the ones we find to be the most affected. These tiles are brittle, and installing solar panels often requires cutting or removing them to make room for the brackets.
On the other hand, metal roofs, particularly standing seam metal roofs, tend to be the best for solar installations. No holes are needed to be drilled as brackets can clamp directly onto the seams.
That said, we always take proactive steps to fix issues before they become problems, such as properly sealing affected areas and conducting a test run to check for leaks before finishing the job.
Install Solar Panels Without Worrying About Your Roof
Our professional solar installers at Avail Solar have successfully installed thousands of systems in Utah and across other states in the U.S. We’re proud and confident in our work, which is why we offer solar warranties of up to 25 years.
Request a quote today or contact us to share your solar needs with one of our experts.