Good points, but honestly, sometimes even a solid installer can't fully prevent issues on older roofs. I've seen cases where the panels themselves were fine, but the roof underneath started having problems a few years down the line. Older shingles can get brittle or worn out, and once you've got panels up there, repairs become a real headache (and expensive).
If your roof is already pushing 15-20 years, it might be smarter to bite the bullet and replace it first. I know it's an extra cost upfront, but long-term you'll save yourself from potential headaches. Plus, newer roofing materials are often designed with solar in mind—better sealing, easier mounting points, etc. Just something to consider before diving in...
Yeah, older shingles can be sneaky like that—look fine at first, then crumble when you least expect it. Seen a few roofs where the solar install went smoothly, but a year later... surprise leaks. Definitely worth checking your roof's condition carefully beforehand.
I get what you're saying, but honestly, I'm not convinced solar panels themselves are the main culprit here. When I bought my place, the inspector warned me that older roofs can leak randomly, even without any installations. Sure, drilling holes doesn't exactly help, but maybe those leaks would've shown up anyway? Seems like it's more about the roof's age and condition than the panels themselves. Either way, definitely worth a thorough check before diving in.
Fair point, but honestly, drilling into an older roof is asking for trouble. Had a neighbor who installed panels on a roof that seemed fine—ended up chasing leaks for months. Panels aren't always innocent bystanders...just saying, proceed carefully.
Yeah, that's a valid concern...but honestly, it really depends on the installer. My folks had panels put on their 20-year-old roof—installer recommended reinforcing certain spots first, and they've had zero issues. Maybe it's more about prep and quality workmanship than the panels themselves?
