The one inspection
What we look at in one visit
The visit takes in the roof, the attic and the array together, so you get one report instead of two.
The roof surface
Shingle age, granule loss, cracks, flashing and the edge metal.
The deck and attic
Stains, daylight, moisture and the underside of the deck.
Ventilation
Intake and exhaust, because attic heat shortens a roof's life.
Mount points and rafters
Where the mounts sit now, or where they could go, and the rafter lines under them.
Wiring runs and penetrations
Conduit, vents and pipes the new roof has to flash around.
The written options
Repair or replace, with the roof's remaining life and the photos behind each choice.
Panels already up
Detach and reset, in plain steps
Your solar company's electrician disconnects the array. Our crew does the roof side: panels and racking off, new roof on, mounts flashed, panels back.
We label each string of panels and photograph the layout first, so everything goes back where it was. The electrical work stays with a licensed electrical contractor.
Panels labeled and staged on the ground
Racking and mounts removed
Deck checked where the mounts were
Every mount flashed again on the new roof
A sample detach and reset
14 panels off and back on, line by line
This is the roof-side work only, written the way it appears on an estimate.
Detach and reset, 14 panels
One south slope, roof-mounted racking, panels reused.
- Label, photograph and stage the panels
- Remove racking and mounts
- Flash and set mounts on the new roof
- Reinstall racking and panels
Example only. The electrical disconnect and reconnect is billed by your solar company. Larger arrays, roofs with several slopes and tile roofs change the number.
Questions
Questions homeowners ask
Should I replace the roof before I add solar?
If the roof has under about ten years left, many roofers advise replacing it first, so the panels do not have to come off again. We write the roof's remaining life in the inspection report so you can decide.
Can the panels stay up during a re-roof?
No. The panels and racking come off, the roof is replaced, and the mounts are flashed again before the panels go back. Your solar company's electrician disconnects and reconnects the array.
Do I need a permit?
Almost always for a full replacement. We file the roof permit with the city or county, and the fee is a line on your estimate.
What warranty do I get?
Two parts. The manufacturer's material warranty covers the product, and our workmanship warranty covers our installation. The terms of each, and who registers it, are written on your warranty sheet.
Ready for one inspection of both?
Tell us about the roof and the panels, and we set one visit.