What do you need to know before installing rooftop solar panels?
Doing your homework and becoming knowledgeable about solar panel installation and your requirements, will protect you from difficulties and added costs. Because solar panels are sometimes installed by solar professionals who may not have a background in roofing, they may not be aware of the impact to your roof's lifespan. When owners rent their roofs to solar providers, there are logistical and legal issues which may arise over loss of income during roof work, or liability issues in the event of theft, vandalism or damage. In addition, installation of solar panels can nullify your roofing material's warranty without the contractor or roofing manufacturer's permission.
There is also the issue of fires associated with solar panels. The occurrance of fire is rare but has happened. The plastic components that some ballasted systems use may not be fire resistant, and polystyrene insulation pads which are installed under the panels are also a potential risk.
According to buildings.com, to determine whether or not your roof is a good candidate for solar panels, factors to be considered are:

1. The load-carrying capacity of the deck and framing
2. The type of roofing systems you have and its slope
3. The roof's age and condition
4. The height of your home, and wind and seismic loads.

A roof that can accommodate increased loads without modification, protected membrane roofs, roof membrane assemblies constructed with high compressive strength, and roofs with a positive slope for drainage, are all classified as good candidates.

Installation choices include a penetrating, mechanically fastened, ballasted or laminated system. In low-slope roofs, NRCA recommends a penetrating system where the panels are attached to the building structure. Ballasted systems are less expensive to install because they minimize the risk to the building during installation. Use of curbs, sleepers or posts must be designed and attached to the building frame to with-stand wind and other environmental challenges. Penetrating and mechanically fastened systems can be designed to use with any building and roofing system.

Installing solar panels should not harm your roof if installed properly. Solar professionals will work with you and and show you how much weight your roof will tolerate and what equipment will work best for you and your roof. Panels should be laid out and kept away from walls or other structures that may cause shade. They also must not be installed near or close to equipment with hot exhaust, high-wind zones and roof perimeter.
In most cases, a racking system mounts the panels, with any resulting gaps sealed. Coverings such as flashing may be needed which results in additional barriers to protect your roof. Your roof's integrity is preserved and in some cases, may be made better.

How much do solar panels weigh?
Solar panels contain solar cells which are made of some form of silicon, and metal conductor strips and antireflective coating. Wiring and hardware attach panels to the roof. Solar panels don't add much weight, usually about four pounds per square foot. That being said, if a roof is in disrepair before they are installed, it doesn't take much weight to cause cracks or leaks in your shingles.
Many of today's top solar professionals have the expertise to install solar technology without inflicting damage. There is some drilling with installation but the equipment and attachments used by the professionals will protect your roof. In addition, these solar technicians have the expertise to maneuver your roof with no damage. If your roof's lifespan will not exceed the life of the solar systems, consider replacing the roof before installing solar panels.

We hope that you have found this article helpful and informative.
Joye Roofing> completes roof inspections throughout the Columbia area. Our roof inspector will show up on time and give you an honest assessment free of cost.
Need a roof certification letter or roof certification report? Whether you are buying a house, have roof damage, or are anticipating roof issues due to age or wear, we will do a free roof inspection for you. Joye Roofing Columbia has an "A" rating with the Better Business Bureau, and tons of rave reviews from past customers.

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We are happy for you to re-publish this article on your website or in your company newsletter with credit to Joye Roofing as the author and a link to our website https://www.joyeroofing.com/. The URL for this article is https://www.joyeroofing.com/roofing-disaster-restoration/will-solar-panels-impact-my-roof. Email us with any questions.

What is the best way to choose a roofing company in Columbia?
Roofing companies in Columbia seem to fall into several categories. Many of the companies found in a Google search are construction companies who do roofing. These companies primarily do construction and remodeling. Some roofers are siding and gutter companies or window replacement companies who also do roofing repair or replacement. There are roofing companies that are satellite branches to construction companies based in other cities. Many of these companies do both commercial and residential roofing.
The number of years the company has been in business varies greatly. Then there are the locally-owned and operated roofing companies, like Joye Roofing, which are family owned who have been in business for many years.
Another difference found in researching roofing companies was the way they assess their customers' needs. Some companies will offer a free estimate before doing any work. Other companies will go even further and offer a free roof inspection. Some companies show warranties for their work, others do not.
Some companies offer multiple business ratings and recommendations. Others may show photographs of their work along with past customers' recommendations. Some companies show that they are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, others do not show this information. 

Below are some of the roofing companies found for the Columbia area along with some basic information about each.

• Joye Roofing is owned and operated locally in Columbia, SC by Derek Joye. We have been serving the Midlands for over 20 years. Past roofing customers give us a 5 star rating. Joye Roofing specializes in roof repair and replacement and atr fully bonded, licensed, and insured. We have accreditation from the Better Business Bureau with an A rating and are a Preferred Contractor for Owens Corning. Please call or text 803 470-5569 for your free roof inspection.
• Sands Enterprises states they are a full- service restoration company with 20 years of experience in residential and commercial construction. They do water damage, fire damage and remodeling restoration as well as roofing. They state that they are locally owned and operated in Lexington, SC and have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
• Palmetto Outdoor Solutions operates in Rock Hill, Columbia, and Greer, SC. Their website advertises roofing, gutters and siding. They offer free estimates and state that much of their new business comes to them via word-of-mouth recommendations.
• South Point Roofing and Construction was started in 2000 and service Columbia, Augusta, and Aiken. They have a history of construction, restoration and even plumbing services. They have affiliations with Aiken Chamber of Commerce, and are a Certified Green Professional and EPA Certified Lead Renovator.
• Crosby Roofing & Seamless Gutters shows offices in Greenville, Columbia, Macon and Augusta. They offer a free roof inspection and will also inspect and repair your vinyl siding. They show accreditation from Angie's List and Better Business Bureau.
• Baker Roofing Company advertises itself as Columbia area's largest contractor for roof repair services founded in 1915. It also provides roofing services to businesses in a dozen other cities in North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.
• Mayhem Roofing shows locations in Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, and Sumter, SC. They state that they used the best materials and hire professional local roofers. They also offer a free inspection.
• Burgin Roofing Services show accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, National Roofers Contracting Association, Master Elite, and Home Builders Association. They state they are family-owned and locally operated and are fully licensed, bonded and insured. They also show a discount for military.
• Grier Roofing, LLC states they have locations in Spartanburg, Greenville and Columbia and have been in business for over two decades. They state they have their own metal fabrication facility for metal roofing systems. They show an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and offer a free roofing quote.
• Highland Roofing Company says they are a family-owned and operated business with over 10 years experience. They provide commercial and industrial roofing services for customers throughout the Southeast. They offer a no-charge roof consultation.

The information above is just some basic information about some of the roofing contractors in the Columbia area. Of course we would like you to choose Joye Roofing in your search. We greatly appreciate your business and would love to talk with you and answer any questions you may have. Give us a call today at (803) 470-5569  and we can assist you with finding out more information and click here> to fill out our form to get a FREE roof inspection!
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When searching for a roofing company that will work best for you one of the first things most people do is check out their previous customer reviews. According to Search Engine Land, 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. This is why your reviews are so valued by us. The more customer reviews we have posted on the web, the more traffic from new customers we can accrue.
 
3 Reason why your review is so important
 
1.Gives us the opportunity to grow and improve our products and services
By explaining to us if you were satisfied with the products and services you were given, it will give us the knowledge we need to begin expanding. With expanding we are able to improve and create a great customer experience. Without this, we are unable to compete with the ever changing, and competitive market.
 
2.By sharing your reviews with others, it will allow new customers to trust us
When your friends and neighbors see your trustworthy review about us it will give them the confidence they need to work with us. By sharing what your expectations were and if they were met and or exceeded, this will give the new customers confidence that their expectations will also be met.
 
3.Delivers factual data that can be used to improve marketing decisions
Another great aspect of our company receiving your review is that is provides us with the knowledge we need to create better marketing materials. You give us great insight on how you learned about our business and how you gained your understanding of how we were going to assist in fixing your roofing problem. This guides us in the right direction when growing our marketing campaigns.
 
Has Joye Roofing serviced your roof? Have you given us a star review on your experience?  Scroll down to the footer of this page and click on the 5 gold stars to give us a quick review on Google+. Help Joye Roofing continue to be the best roofing companying in Columbia.
 
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​When replacing or repairing a roof it is important to hire the correct person to install it for you. The two most common choices are either a roofer or a roofing contractor.
 
A roofer is a person who just works on roofs; they may or may not be a licensed contractor. Roofers mainly focus on smaller jobs and repairs. A roofing contractor is a licensed contractor with the state who specializes in roofing. They are more focused on full replacements and large scale damages.
 
When trying to determine which company or contractor is the best for your job, ask yourself these 5 questions:
 

• How large is the damage to your roof?
• Does the damage extend beyond just your roof?
• Is your chimney also damaged?
• Are you able to continue living in your home or do you need a replacement or repair quickly?
• Are you on a tight budget and need the best possible pricing?

 
After answering these four questions you should be able to decide if a roofer or roofing contractor is right for you. Roofers focus mainly on repairs and roofing contractors focus on the larger repairs and full replacements. Roofing contractors are able to do the repairs that extend past just the roof as well. Determining how much of your roof and or home is damaged is the first step. After you determine how large the job is you will be able to select the best roofing company for you.  
 
If you have any questions about getting your roof repaired or replaced by a Columbia roofer comment below or give us a call.
 
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