Help Your Customers Prepare For Severe Weather.
We tackled skylights in our last article, sharing important information you should share with customers and prospects when they ask for your expert opinion. But there’s another category of home and business owners who have some additional features on their roofs: those with solar panels. Like skylights, these offer both benefits and drawbacks. For solar panels, one of the biggest concerns is protecting them during storms. After all, solar panel systems represent a sizable investment for their owners.
As a roofing professional, you have clout when it comes to your customers’ roof—even if you didn’t install the solar panels. Use this position to your advantage so you remain their go-to source for all thing roof-related. For those customers who have solar panels, recommend these five tips so they are prepared for severe weather.
1. Inspect The Panels. If it’s been a while since the system was installed or inspected, it’s a smart idea to have an expert check the system. They will look for things like cracked or worn seals and exposed wires or connectors. They will also check for unsecured objects on the roof that could potentially damage panels if pushed into them by high winds. This is a proactive step that can seem like an unnecessary expense, but it can save a great deal of money if a storm hits and they system isn’t properly sealed and secured.
2. Inspect The Property. The roof and panels aren’t the only places you should check to help protect your solar panel system. Flying debris from the ground is one of the most common causes of solar panel damage during storms. It’s a good idea to secure the area in general, but especially of you have warning before a large storm or wind event hits, move or secure items that could be projectiles, from potted plants to outdoor furniture.
3. Trim Overhanging Trees. Branches falling onto roofs aren’t ideal in any situation, even if solar panels are not present. That’s why it’s always a good idea to keep overhanging trees trimmed back. Solar panels may not be severely damaged by average limbs, but those blown across the panels can scratch them or even cause minor cracks, which could impact panel performance.
4. Turn Off The System. Fortunately, most of us have a bit of warning before a storm hits. When that is the case, it’s a good idea to manually switch off the panels before a storm to avoid damage from power surges.
5. Take Photos. While the other tips are preventative, this one comes in handy if damage does occur. Take photos of all solar panels and components at least once per year. This way, if any part of the system is damaged, the owner has documentation of the prior state of the system for the insurance company.
Many readers will see the topic of skylights or solar panels and, because they don’t install them, assume this information isn’t valuable to them. Nothing could be further from the truth. As a roofer, you should be a reliable source of information and recommendations for your customers concerning anything that touches their roof. This will cement your relationship and position you as their first call—which will be invaluable for when they do need your services and encourage their recommendation to neighbors, friends, and family.
To learn more about quality roofing solutions from Marco (ventilation, closure, flashing, sealant, underlayment, and accessories—not solar panels), visit
www.MarcoIndustries.com. To contact us directly, you can email or call 1-800-800-8590.