Had a similar issue pop up a few years back when we installed solar panels on our older roof. Everything seemed fine at first, but after about six months, we noticed some leaks during heavy rains. When we reached out to the installer, their warranty department tried to pin it on "existing roof conditions" and "unusual storm patterns," whatever that means...
Long story short, after a lot of back-and-forth and sending them photos of the roof pre-installation (thankfully, we'd taken some!), they finally agreed to cover repairs. It wasn't easy and definitely wasn't quick—but in the end, they did honor the warranty. I'd say it's more than just marketing fluff, but you really have to document everything and be persistent.
I've seen this happen a few times, and honestly, it's not always the installer's fault. Older roofs can be tricky—especially if they're already nearing the end of their lifespan. Even if things look fine visually, the shingles and underlayment might be more brittle or compromised than they appear. When you start drilling holes for mounting brackets, you're inevitably creating potential entry points for water. A good installer will seal these properly, but even then, older roofing materials don't always respond well to being disturbed.
That said, I totally agree with your point about documentation. Photos before installation are gold if you ever need to prove your case. But I'd also suggest getting an independent roof inspection beforehand. Yeah, it's an extra step and a bit more money upfront, but it can save you a ton of headaches later on. An inspector can spot subtle issues that might cause trouble down the line—stuff that's easy to miss if you're not specifically looking for it.
Also, warranties can be tricky beasts. I've seen some installers use vague language like "existing conditions" or "unusual weather" as a catch-all excuse to dodge responsibility. It's frustrating, but sometimes they're not entirely wrong. Heavy storms can expose weaknesses that weren't obvious before installation. Still, a reputable installer should be upfront about potential risks and clearly explain warranty limitations before you sign anything.
One thing I'd challenge slightly is the idea that persistence alone guarantees warranty coverage. I've seen homeowners fight tooth-and-nail with installers and still end up footing the bill because the fine print wasn't in their favor. Persistence helps, sure—but clarity in the contract and thorough pre-installation checks are even more important.
Bottom line: solar panels won't automatically ruin an older roof, but they can accelerate existing issues if you're not careful. If your roof is already pushing 15-20 years or more, it might be worth considering a re-roof before installing solar. It'll cost more upfront, but you'll avoid the hassle of leaks and warranty battles down the road...
You're spot-on about the independent inspection. A few years back, I had solar panels installed on a roof that was about 18 years old. Thought it looked fine, but decided last-minute to get an inspector out first. Glad I did—turned out there were some hidden issues with the underlayment starting to deteriorate. Wouldn't have known otherwise, and drilling into that could've definitely caused leaks down the road.
Ended up biting the bullet and re-roofing first. Hurt the wallet initially, but honestly, it saved me from exactly those warranty headaches you're describing. And you're right about warranties—some of those clauses are sneaky as heck. Learned that lesson the hard way with a previous HVAC install...
Anyway, your advice is solid. Solar's great, but older roofs can be a real gamble if you're not careful. Better safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your home investment.
"Ended up biting the bullet and re-roofing first. Hurt the wallet initially, but honestly, it saved me from exactly those warranty headaches you're describing."
Yeah, that's exactly the kind of situation I've seen pop up more than once. People often underestimate how sneaky roof issues can be until they're staring at a leak or dealing with water damage. And warranties? Don't even get me started on some of those clauses—it's like they're designed to trip homeowners up.
One thing I'm curious about, though: did your inspector mention anything specific about the type of underlayment that was deteriorating? I've noticed that certain materials age differently depending on climate and ventilation. For instance, in humid areas, I've seen synthetic underlayments hold up better over time compared to traditional felt. But then again, I've also come across synthetic types that started breaking down prematurely due to improper installation or poor attic ventilation.
Another point worth considering: the weight and mounting method of the solar panels themselves. Some installers use systems that minimize roof penetration, which can help reduce the risk of leaks. But others drill straight into the rafters without proper sealing or flashing—and that's just asking for trouble down the line. I've inspected homes where the panels were perfectly fine, but the mounting brackets caused issues because they weren't installed correctly.
Your experience with HVAC warranties sounds painfully familiar too. I had a client who thought their entire AC unit was covered, only to find out later that the warranty excluded nearly everything except the compressor itself. Talk about frustrating...
Anyway, stories like yours are exactly why I always tell folks it's worth getting an independent inspection before making big changes like solar installations. Roofs aren't cheap, but neither is fixing water damage or dealing with warranty battles later on. Curious if anyone else has run into similar surprises after installing solar panels on an older roof?
Yeah, totally agree about the mounting brackets. When I helped my brother install his solar setup, we spent forever sealing and flashing every single penetration point—felt like overkill at the time, but he's had zero leaks since. Also, ventilation is huge...seen plenty of roofs prematurely age just because the attic wasn't breathing right. Definitely worth checking that out before slapping panels up there.
