This article is part of a series: The 12 Days of Solar Pool Heating.
Florida Solar Design Group installs the iSwim Solar Pool Heating panels using proper roof flashings to protect your roof. Roof flashings are pieces of metal that sheet water away from a roof penetration, protecting the attachment point from water intrusion. The type of flashing and the requirement for flashings depends on the roof type on which solar panels will be mounted, but the Florida Building Code clearly requires flashing all roof penetrations:
FBC, 5th Ed. (2014) Section 1503.2 Flashing.
Flashing shall be installed in such a manner so as to prevent moisture entering the wall and roof through joints in copings, through moisture-permeable materials and at intersections with parapet walls and other penetrations through the roof plane.
Aside from flashing penetrations, the second more important way to protect a shingle roof is to prevent plumbing from causing abrasion to the shingles. We use a unique molded pipe clamp spacer made specifically for this purpose. We see so many roofs damaged from pipe and pipe fittings digging into shingles. There is no reason for this. Thoughtful use of material and methods virtually eliminates this risk.
While it definitely costs more in terms of material and labor to do it right, Florida Solar Design Group will not cut corners. We install manufacturer approved flashings for all roof deck penetrations on shingle roofs using aluminum flashing material. We buy these right from the manufacturer and our installers are factory trained to properly adhere to the installation manual and building codes. Our pipe clamp spacers are the most innovative improvement to shingle roof installations in decades!
If you have a shingle roof and are considering a competitor’s brand, ask them if they install manufacturer approved proper metal flashings and pipe clamp spacers with their system. This is the best way to protect your roof, attic, and home from costly incidental and consequential damage that is not covered by manufacturers’ warranties.