How We attach Solar to Your Roof

MOST HOMES · COMPOSITION SHINGLE

MECHANICAL FLASHING AT EVERY ATTACHMENT

Most homes we work on have composition (asphalt) shingles. On these roofs we use SnapNrack's Umbrella L Foot with a metal comp flashing at every single attachment point.

‍

‍

‍

SAME AS THE VENTS ON YOUR ROOF

Look up at your bathroom fan vent or plumbing pipe. The metal flashing around it slides up under the shingles above. Rain runs over it and onto the shingles below. That's mechanical flashing: it keeps water out by how it's shaped and layered, not by glue.

• We find the rafter. Each attachment is lagged into a rafter, not just the sheathing, so it holds through wind and snow.
• The flashing slides under the shingle course above. A 9" × 12" metal flashing tucks up under the row above, just like a vent flashing.
• The bolt sits up high, above the water. A raised "umbrella" cone lifts the bolt hole above where water flows, under a stainless cap with a rubber gasket.
• The rail bolts on top. The L foot that holds the racking sits on top of all of that.

‍

WHY NOT JUST SEALANT?

Some installs bolt a bracket straight through the shingles and rely on a bead of caulk to keep water out. Sealant does a job, but it's chemical, and sun and freeze-thaw cycles break it down over the years. A layered metal flashing doesn't depend on one bead of goop staying soft for 25 years. We don't rely on sealant alone.

IN BUSINESS SINCE 2005. WE'VE NEVER HAD A ROOF LEAK.

Every system is covered by our 10-year workmanship warranty on the whole project, roof attachments included.

‍

STANDING SEAM METAL?

The easiest roof to put solar on, and the kindest to the roof. We use S-5! clamps that fit over the raised seams and tighten with round-point set screws that grip the seam without piercing it. The racking attaches to the clamps. S-5! designs its clamps to keep your roof's warranty intact and backs them with a limited lifetime warranty. Bring your roof paperwork to the site visit so we pick the right clamp for your panel profile.

‍

CORRUGATED METAL

Corrugated and other exposed-fastener metal roofs don't have a seam to clamp to, so these attachments go through the panel, the same way the roof's own screws do. We use EJOT solar fasteners made for metal roofs. Each one goes through the panel into the framing below, with a stainless sealing washer pressed down onto the metal, the same idea as the gasketed screws already holding your roof on.

MEMBRANE ROOFS: WE BRING IN A ROOFER

Membrane roofs carry solar well, but they're the one roof type where we always bring a roofer into the job. Membrane roofs usually come with a manufacturer's material warranty, and those warranties are strict about who touches the roof. Manufacturers generally require any new penetration to be flashed with their own materials, by a roofer they've certified. If anyone else cuts into or patches the membrane, even an electrician doing careful work, the manufacturer can deny a future claim. It adds a step and a roofer's bill, and we'll show that cost in your proposal up front. A membrane roof can cost far more to replace than the solar on it.

HOW MEMBRANE JOBS RUN

• We check your roof warranty. Who made the membrane and what it requires. No paperwork? Your original roofer can usually tell you.
• We design the array and mark every mount location.
• A qualified roofer flashes the mounts into the membrane with matching material, the way the manufacturer requires.
• We install the racking, panels and wiring on top.

TILE, CEDAR SHAKE, OR NO GOOD ROOF AT ALL?

Tile roofs: call us and we'll take a look. We don't install on cedar shake. If your roof is shaded, faces the wrong way, or is near the end of its life, a ground mount may be the better answer. Everything to know about ground-mount solar

COMMON QUESTIONS

Should I replace my roof before going solar?

If it has less than 10 years left, we recommend replacing it first. Removing and reinstalling panels later adds cost. We'll look at your roof's age and condition on the site visit and tell you honestly.

Will solar void my roof warranty?

On shingle, standing seam and corrugated metal, we use attachments designed to be flashed or clamped without damaging the roof. On membrane roofs, a qualified roofer does the flashing so it meets the manufacturer's terms. Bring your roof warranty paperwork to the site visit if you have it.

What if a roof attachment ever leaks?

We've been in business since 2005 and have never had a roof leak. If one ever happened, our 10-year
workmanship warranty covers the whole project, including every roof attachment. Call us and we'll come fix it.

Can you mount on any part of the roof?

We place attachments where the rafters, seams or purlins are, and keep clear of vents, chimneys and roof edges as code requires. Your proposal layout shows where every row of panels goes.