What Happens If My GAF Timberline Solar™ Roof Gets Damaged?

 

With GAF Timberline Solar’s introduction by the GAF Energy team, you may have questions about how the solar roofing system stands up to Colorado’s unpredictable weather. One question you may be asking yourself when there is a large storm is, “what happens if my solar roof gets damaged?” As a GAF Solar-certified roofing contractor, the team at Holladay Grace is here to help you through all your solar questions.

Warranties

Warranties play a large part in how your roof will get repaired in case of damage or defects. Roofing contractors offer a workmanship warranty that covers installation errors that lead to leaks or issues. For example, suppose a shingle is installed incorrectly and causes leaks. In that case, a roofing contractor fixes this issue for no cost if it’s within the timeframe covered by the workmanship warranty. Different companies offer different lengths of workmanship warranties. We’ve seen warranties ranging from 1 year to 25 years in the Colorado Springs area.

Outside of a workmanship warranty, any defects on your roofing systems are typically covered under a manufacturer’s warranty. Roofing contractors can also offer more comprehensive roof warranties if they hold specific manufacturer certifications. For example, Holladay Grace can offer the best warranties through GAF because of our GAF Master Elite certifications.

You can read more about warranties here.

Repairs

One of the most innovative parts of the GAF Timberline Solar™ system is undeniably the installation method. While traditional rack-mounted systems are lag bolted into the rafters of your home, GAF Timberline Solar™ is installed just like a standard shingle, being nailed directly to your roof deck. This installation method means that repairs to your solar roof are almost as easy as a typical asphalt shingle roof. 

The main change from repairs on an asphalt shingle roof to a GAF Timberline Solar™ roof is that a qualified GAF electrician needs to come out before repairs and fully shut down the system. This is to ensure that your solar array doesn’t get damaged and your roofing contractor is safe from any electrical shock.

If one of your Timberline Solar™ shingles gets damaged, you only need to make one phone call to your roofing contractor to repair it. Then, your contractor contacts a GAF electrician to shut the system down before repairs begin. 

Replacement

Replacing a GAF Timberline Solar™ shingle is just as simple as replacing a standard asphalt shingle. The repair technician needs only to unseal the damaged shingle from the ones above and below it and remove the nails securing it to your roof. Once this is done, the solar shingle can be removed. With the damaged shingle removed, the technician can replace the damaged one with a new shingle, nailing it down and applying a small amount of tar sealant to the bottom of the new shingle and shingle above to ensure a water and weather-tight seal.

Once the new shingle is installed, it is hooked up to the rest of the solar array. With the shingle replaced, a GAF electrician restores power to your system, returning your solar array back to full strength and solar production. 

Impact on You as the Homeowner

When your roofing contractor is performing the necessary repairs to your solar shingles, the system needs to be turned off for the safety of the repair technicians. This will mean that your solar array will no longer be producing energy. You won’t need to worry if you haven’t gone entirely off the grid. When your solar array is active, and your electricity usage is over what your solar system can produce, you pull the excess from the electric grid. If your solar system has been switched off, you pull all needed electricity from your utility electric grid instead. Depending on the complexity of the repairs, your solar system will be off for only a few days. This shut-off and activation are easy to access through a shut-off switch at your solar inverter.

The top coated on your solar singles, referred to as encapsulant, is a proprietary polymer formula that is not only designed to absorb as much light as possible but also designed to be highly impact resistant. This impact resistance mitigates damage to your shingle. If damage does occur, there is minimal risk of fire or water intrusion into your home. The solar connectors, back sheet, encapsulant, and solar cells are all commercially available products tested to the highest safety standards. The shingle is simply a unique and innovative method of arranging the products together to perform dual functions.

What’s Next?

With over 100 years of roofing experience between our team, we have seen and encountered almost everything there is in the roofing industry. We at Holladay Grace aim to put that knowledge to use and help you through your solar repair needs.

The team at Holladay Grace has been handpicked by GAF Energy as the first roofing contractor in Colorado Springs to be GAF Solar certified. Since 1979, Holladay Grace has been serving the roofing needs of the Front Range.

Are you interested in solar? Contact us for a free roof inspection today.