There is a mad rush in Hawaii to put up solar PV panels before the 65 percent federal and state tax credits get reduced or even eliminated over time. With bruising political fights raging over deficit reductions, there is no guarantee that these tax credits will go on forever. There is no better time than now to make that plunge.
But in your race towards energy independence, don’t forget to consider replacing (or repairing) the roof underneath your new solar panels. That’s where LeakMaster Roofing comes in. The company specializes in integrating your new solar panels — both hot water and photovoltaic panels — into your roof system. Even if your existing roof is in fairly good condition, there are still things that you can do to preserve your existing roof before it is covered up with panels. Don’t forget, once the panels are fastened tight to the roof deck for the next 20-plus years, your access to the roof itself becomes problematic if you should get a leak. It is much less expensive to repair or replace your roof before you install solar energy.
Here are some possible solutions that can fit any budget:
Simply repair your existing roof
This is true especially if you have an asphalt shingle type of roof. Quite often these roofs have a lot of life left in them and they don’t have to be replaced. LeakMaster can usually inspect and repair these roofs before the solar installation, and then come back after the PV contractors are done to waterproof all the new penetrations in the roof deck.
Depending on the condition of your shingles, LeakMaster can warrant against leaks for up to seven years.
Put a protective, waterproof coating underneath solar panels
If your roof is flat, you should at least waterproof the areas directly underneath the panels while there is easy access. Later on, when your budget allows, you can extend your protective coating to the rest of the flat roof. That is the beauty of roof coatings as opposed to old-fashioned asphalt roofing — you can do limited areas now, then tie them together later when they start to deteriorate.
The Cool Roof Store’s Ceramic Titanium coatings block 100 percent of the sun’s UV rays so your old roof is preserved. You never have to tear off the old roof, just put on a new top coat every 10 to 15 years, using a fraction of the original coating.
If your old roof is too far gone, install a new system with a long warranty
If you have a sloped roof, LeakMaster Roofing installs all major systems including shake, shingle, tile, metal and asphalt. After the solar contractors are finished, LeakMaster will come back and waterproof all your roof penetrations for no extra charge.
If you have a flat roof, LeakMaster can install either a fabric re-enforced coating, such as the Cool Roof Store Ceramic coating, or a silicone-based coating, which may qualify for a 10-, 15or even 20-year manufacturer labor and material warranty, depending on the roof.
For commercial roofs, you may want to consider a heavy-duty single ply system, such as Duro-Last, which has the “World’s Best Warranty.” That’s because it insures you against any damage to the contents in your property caused by a faulty roof.
For a free appraisal of your roof, call LeakMaster Roofing at 591-1900 or visit the website at www.leakmaster.com. You can also stop by the Kakaako store at 575 Cooke St. to see the systems up close.
LEAKMASTER ROOFING
contact // 591-1900
address // 575 Cooke St.
web // www.leakmaster.com
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