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In Southern California, adding solar panels feels like a no-brainer. With the abundance of sunshine and rising electricity rates, everyone wants to lower their monthly bills. However, before you sign a contract with a solar company, you need to look up, but not at the sun.
Your roof is the foundation of your solar investment. If that foundation is weak, you could be setting yourself up for a massive repair bill down the road.
At L.A. Roofing Materials, we’ve supplied the shingles, tiles, and underlayment for thousands of projects across Los Angeles. We have seen the horrors when homeowners put new technology on an old roof. Here is the honest advice you need to make the right decision.
Key Takeaways
- If your asphalt shingle roof is more than 15 years old, you should strongly consider replacing it before installing solar panels to avoid future costs.
- Removing your solar panels to fix a roof leak later is a process called “detach and reset” that can cost homeowners thousands of dollars.
- Homeowners with Spanish clay or concrete tile roofs often need a specific “comp-out” installation to prevent broken tiles and leaks under the solar array.
- Solar warranties typically cover the energy system itself but do not protect you from roof leaks caused by installing racking on brittle materials.
The Timeline Mismatch: Solar vs. Roofing
The biggest issue is the lifespan gap. Modern solar panels are designed to last 25 years or more.
If your current roof only has 5 to 10 years of life left, you have a math problem. You are bolting a 25-year system onto a 5-year surface. If your roof needs replacing within a few years, you will have to pay a solar crew to come out, remove every single panel, store them, wait for the roofer to finish, and then reinstall them.
This process is called a “detach and reset.” It is expensive, labor-intensive, and almost never covered by insurance.
Signs You Need to Replace Before You Install
Before you schedule a solar site survey, do a quick visual check of your roofing materials.
1. Granule Loss (Asphalt Shingles): Look in your gutters. If they are full of little sandy granules, your shingles are nearing the end of their life. Bald shingles cannot handle the foot traffic of a solar installation crew.
2. Curling or Buckling: If the edges of your shingles are curling up, they are brittle. When installers walk on them to bolt down the racking system, they can crack, leading to immediate leaks.
3. Broken or Slipped Tiles: If you have a concrete or clay tile roof, check for cracks. While tiles are durable, the felt underlayment is not. If the underlayment is original to a home built in the 1990s, it is likely paper-thin and ready to tear.
The Special Case of Tile Roofs in Los Angeles
Tile roofs are beautiful, but they are tricky for solar.
Clay and concrete tiles are not designed to be walked on. They break easily under the weight of installers. Because of this, many smart homeowners in LA choose a “picture frame” or “comp-out” method.
This involves removing the tiles in the specific rectangular area where the solar panels will go. The roofer then installs new, flat asphalt shingles (composition) in that spot and mounts the solar over them. The surrounding tiles hide the shingles, so it still looks like a tile roof from the street. This ensures a watertight seal and prevents broken tiles.
Don’t Forget the Weight
Solar panels add significant weight to your structure.
If you are replacing a roof specifically for solar, make sure your contractor checks the decking (the plywood base). Rotting wood or termite damage must be fixed first. If you bolt heavy panels into weak wood, you risk structural sagging, especially during heavy rain or strong Santa Ana winds.
Our Recommendation
If your roof is relatively new (0–10 years old) and in good shape, you are likely clear to install solar directly.
However, if your roof is pushing 15+ years, or if you have any doubts about its condition, replace it first. It is much cheaper to bundle the roofing work with the solar prep than to pay for a “detach and reset” five years from installing.
Not sure what materials to use? Visit our showroom. We can show you the best “solar-ready” roofing options, from reflective cool roofs that meet Title 24 standards to durable underlayment that protects your home for decades.
Don’t build on a weak foundation. Before you go solar, make sure your roof is ready for the long haul. Stop by L.A. Roofing Materials to explore durable, solar-friendly roofing options. We can help you pick the right products and even connect you with trusted local contractors who specialize in solar-ready roofs.
FAQs:
Does homeowners’ insurance cover “detach and reset”?
Usually, no. If your roof wears out due to age and needs replacement, insurance typically considers that standard maintenance. They will not pay the extra cost to remove and reinstall your solar panels.
Can I install solar on top of old layers of shingles?
We strongly advise against it. While building codes in some areas do allow for two layers of shingles, adding solar on top of multiple layers usually adds too much weight and makes it nearly impossible to find and fix leaks.
What is a “Cool Roof”, and do I need one for solar?
In Los Angeles, “Cool Roofs” are materials designed to reflect sunlight and absorb less heat. Title 24 energy standards often require them for replacements. Even if you cover part of your roof with solar, using Cool Roof shingles on the rest of the house helps lower your overall cooling costs.
Will the solar installers fix my roof if they break tiles?
Most contracts state they will replace broken tiles, but they often use mismatched tiles or simply glue them back together. It is safer to have a professional roofer inspect the roof before and after the solar installation to ensure the waterproofing is intact.
Can I buy roofing materials directly from you?
Yes! L.A. Roofing Materials is open to the public. Whether you are a homeowner DIYing a repair or hiring a contractor, you can buy professional-grade materials directly from us and save money.