Managing Home Maintenance Costs

Detailed Plans that are designed specifically for YOUR solar installation must be prepared for a number of reasons. Prepare an estimate of the cost for the material and the labor from the plans. They are also used to guide you or your contractor in the installation of your system. Your local electrical company must approve the plans first. Another reason these plans need to be prepared is that a permit must be submitted. It needs to be approved by the city before any work can begin.

Solar Panel Design & Permits

A complete package must be ready to submit to the city for permit approval. Some consumers go ahead with construction and installation without a permit. There is a very good chance that the city inspector could come by and shut everything down. You might have the installation complete only to have to remove it if you do not have an approved permit.

There is another even more important issue to consider. Insurance on your home covers all of the standard perils. However, insurance does not cover the installation and operation of an electricity generation system. In addition, if there is a claim, you definitely want to have all of the correct designs completed. A professionally designed installation meets all of the necessary building codes, etc. If not, the insurance company could easily decline to pay you.

Compliance with City Building Codes

Draft every Solar Electrical Design properly. Draft the plans to comply with city codes and NEC regulations for insurance purposes and safety purposes. Safety applies to your home, family, and the electrical grid you are attaching. The liability could be significant if you were to cause some kind of damage to the electrical grid. What about another homeowner’s electronics, etc, due to spurious currents? You could be liable for very large sums of money. Obtain the proper approvals. Complete the job correctly. It should meet all code requirements.

You may also need to make some changes to the plans based on these permit applications. Make sure that your solar design company is able and willing to complete these revisions. Resubmit the plans for approval.

For more information about solar panels, costs, installation, and more, click here.

This roof is in serious need of replacement. Not only are the asphalt shingles losing granules it is also beginning to curl creating potential for leaks. Curling shingles are caused by a combination of age, hot temperatures and poor attic ventilation. If you want your shingles to last, make sure that you have lots of air ventilation. This allows the hot air that builds up in your attic to escape through roof vents. You can never have enough ventilation. If you are having your shingle roof replaced, arrange to have the old vents replaced with new high capacity vents. You may also want to add several vents as well if you have a large roof and a limited number of vents. Hot attics contribute to premature aging of the shingles and granular loss that greatly shortens the life span of the shingles.

Asphalt Shingles Losing Granules – Trees

Another situation that sometimes can contribute to premature aging is the effect of overhanging trees on your roof. The trees will prevent sunlight from drying the roof on damp days and they drop leaves and other material on the roof. All of this extra moisture can contributed to increased granual loss especially during extreme temperature fluctuations.

Try to keep your roof free of debris and also clean out any eaves troughs that you may have. Moisture can seep up under the shingles if the eaves troughs are plugged and full of water. Also avoid walking on the roof. Anytime you walk on a shingle roof, it will damage the shingles, causing more granual loss and in the case of the roof shown in the picture actually break off portions or at the minimum cause cracking of the shingles. Cracked shingle, loose shingles and broken shingles are perfect opportunities for water to seep in throght the roof causing more damage to the supporting structure underneath, the insulation and even into the living porting of the home.

Again, if your roof looks like the one in the picture above, have it replaced immediately before water causes even more damage inside your home.

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