We all know the importance of having a sturdy, functioning roof for our home. A roof does a lot that we rarely think about – it protects houses and buildings from harsh weather conditions like wind, rain, hail, heat and snow. Come rain or shine, our roof will withstand so much. Having said that, when it comes to looking after your roof, sometimes you need to give them a little TLC. Extreme weather conditions in Australia such as storms mean that roofs will take a battering from time to time.
Keep an eye on your roof and assess whether you need work done. You can enhance your home’s aesthetic appeal and value when you restore your roof. However, reroofing services Melbourne wide is definitely a consideration you’ll have to bear in mind if you’re contemplating installing solar panels on your property. We will detail below certain things that you need to examine before you take the plunge.
BEFORE INSTALLATION
Before installation of solar panels, it is paramount that you check whether your roof is in need of repair. Adding solar panels to your home is a fantastic idea as they are durable and built to last, often for many years. However, you can run into problems if your roof is not at a good standard and is showing signs of wear and tear. Adding solar panels into the mix could just mean that restoration or replacement further down the line will be that much more difficult and expensive.
The process of installing solar panels can exasperate any current issues and cause old roofs to break or leak. Some solar panel companies do offer a warranty that covers the roof in case it starts leaking, but it’s much less of a headache to make sure that you have solid foundations before you begin a project. This will hopefully save you time and money in the long run. You might not have to get a new roof before you get solar panels installed, but there are three main elements that you need to be considered before you proceed: age, cost and condition.
AGE
As solar panels last over 25 years, chances are you probably are going to need to repair or replace your roof at some point during this period. But if your roof has at least 10 years of life left in it, this will mean that you might not have to worry about it just yet. The newer your roof, the smoother the installation will be.
COST
Naturally, if your roof has solar panels already on it when you need to restore it, this is going to be more costly as the panels will have to be removed before the rest of the work can be carried out. As we mentioned earlier, doing things sooner rather than later will help you save cash as you won’t have to deal with a pricey restoration so soon after the solar panels are installed and will give you both your roof and panels longevity. It might be a hefty upfront cost but it will definitely be worth the investment and save you money in the long run.
CONDITION
If you have any doubts or worries regarding the condition of your roof, consult an expert and maybe look at getting a restoration done. Signs of weakness and damage, water leaks, dirt, mould and mildew build-up, missing or broken tiles and shingles, and high energy bills are all warning signs that should be investigated further.
Once you have navigated this side of the installation, you’ll then want to think about some other considerations such as the angle at which to install your solar panels in order for them to capture and convert as much sunlight as possible. Hopefully if you approach your installation bearing the three above elements in mind, it should be smooth sailing for a while.
