David Contreras, owner of DC Roofing of Arizona, has been roofing in Tucson since 2011, and he's the one who inspects a Sahuarita roof before solar goes on it. Most people call us after they've already signed with a solar company and have an install date on the calendar. That's fine, but it makes timing the main issue. This page covers when to call, what to ask your solar installer, what tile roofs need, and what your options are if the panels are already up. One thing to know up front: we don't remove or reinstall solar panels. That goes through your solar company. We're licensed, bonded, and insured (ROC #328733), with $1M per occurrence and $2M aggregate in general liability coverage.
Call Before the Install Date, Not After
The best time to have the roof inspected is as soon as you've signed with a solar company, or before you sign at all. Roof work has to be finished before mounts go in, and your solar company's schedule sets the deadline. If the roof needs repairs or new underlayment and that comes up a week before the install, either the install moves or the roof work gets rushed. Neither is good.
The inspection is free. David walks the roof and checks it against one question: will it last as long as the panels? The Department of Energy puts the life of residential panels at about 20 to 25 years. If the roof isn't good for that long, the time to fix it is now, while nothing is in the way.
Questions to Ask Your Solar Installer
Solar companies are good at solar. Roofing questions sometimes fall between the cracks. Before the install, ask:
- Can I see the panel layout? Send it to us too, and David will check it against what he found on the roof so mounts don't land on a weak spot.
- How do you attach to my type of roof? Tile, shingle, and flat roofs all mount differently.
- Who flashes the mounts? Every mount is a hole in your roof, so it needs to be sealed properly.
- Who warrants leaks at the mounts, and for how long? Get the answer in writing. If a mount leaks later, that warranty is the first call.
- What happens to tiles that crack during the install? Crews walk and lift tile, and some will break. Find out who replaces them.
Tile Roofs and Solar
Tile is the roof we work on most, roughly 90% of the 800-plus roofs we've done. On a tile roof, the tile isn't what keeps water out. The underlayment underneath does, and it wears out long before the tile does. Once panels are installed over it, that underlayment is the hardest part of the roof to reach.
So for a tile roof headed for solar, the underlayment is what we look at hardest. If it has years left, great. If it's near the end, re-underlaying first is the smart move. We lift the tile, replace the underlayment and worn flashing, and relay the tile, which typically takes three to five days. Our tile roof page explains that work.
If the Panels Are Already Up
If you already have solar and you've got a leak, start with your solar company, especially if the leak is near the array. If it's coming from a mount, their workmanship warranty may cover it. If the roof itself needs work under or around the panels, the panels have to come off first, and that's your solar company's job. Once they're off, we do the roof work, and they reinstall. David can coordinate the timing with them so the roof isn't left open.
Areas of the roof away from the array we can inspect and repair as normal. Every project we complete includes free annual inspections, which is a good way to keep an eye on the parts of the roof around your panels.
Sahuarita Permits
Permits in Sahuarita go through the Town, not Pima County. For the roof side of solar prep, the Town's rules are friendly: a like-for-like re-roof or a new layer of underlayment under existing tile can go ahead without a building permit. Fixing rotted sheathing or framing is different and needs one, and the Town notes that some projects need a zoning clearance even without a building permit. The panels themselves are permitted separately, and that's your solar company's paperwork. For a look at what we check during a solar prep visit, see our solar panel roofing prep page.
FAQ: Solar Panel Roofing Prep in Sahuarita
When should I call you relative to my solar install date?
As soon as you sign with a solar company, or before. Roof work has to be finished before the mounts go in, and if repairs or new underlayment come up late, either the install moves or the roof work gets rushed. An early inspection gives everyone time.
Do I need to replace my tile roof before going solar?
Usually not the tile itself. The underlayment under the tile is what keeps water out, and it wears out much sooner. If it's near the end of its life, re-underlaying before solar goes on is the smart move. That typically takes three to five days. If it has years left, you may not need anything.
Can you work on my roof with the solar panels still on it?
We can work on areas away from the array. If the roof under or right around the panels needs work, the panels have to come off first, and that goes through your solar company. We don't remove or reinstall panels. David can coordinate timing with them.
Who is responsible if a solar mount leaks?
Start with your solar company. Mounts are their installation, and many solar companies warranty their roof penetrations for a set period. Ask about it in writing before the install. If the leak turns out to be the roof itself, that's where we come in.
Do I need a permit for roof prep work in Sahuarita?
Usually not for the roof side. Under the Town of Sahuarita's rules, a like-for-like re-roof or new underlayment under existing tile can go ahead without a building permit, while fixing rotted sheathing or framing needs one. The solar system is permitted separately by your solar company.
Will you talk to my solar company?
Yes. Send us the panel layout and David will check it against what he found on the roof, so mounts don't land on a problem area. He can also coordinate timing so the roof work is done before their crew arrives.
