Roof tile in guttering from under solar panels

Andy19792013

Good evening all. I have just been out to the compost bin and noticed I have a roof tile from under the solar panels in the guttering. The solar panels were installed mid jan this year. It must have come off this morning as the missus said I heard a rumble as I was getting ready for work. What is the advice from the forum? Do I spend a fortune having the solar took off and scaffold for one slate or do I just pop it out the guttering and keep an eye on the area for more?

Kind regards

Andy

WestonDave

I think you are going to have to fix it as although the solar panels will provide a sort of tent over the roof, the rain will run down under them into the gap where the slate is missing. Whether it can be done without taking the solar off or to what extent it needs to come off will depend on where it is in relation to the panels.

EricMears

If the installation is relatively new (hence under some sort of warranty) I'd get the installer back to replace the tile since the roof should have been inspected and found to be in good condition before any brackets were fitted.

But if the job was going to be at my expense I'd hang on and see if any leaks develop. But go up into attic frequently and check for signs of water coming in.

Assuming roof is reasonably modern, the tiles aren't really the waterproof barrier at all - it's the layer of felt underneath that does that. Any water that gets through the tile layer (and it's always possible that some might blow up the roof and hence under a tile even when everything is in good condition) should just drip onto the underfelt then make its way down to gutter. If water starts dripping into the attic then you need to sort out 'the problem' - but NB it will be two problems : one missing tile and a hole in the underfelt !

Andy19792013

Thanks for the replys I've put my hand out the bedroom window and got the said tile out the gutter. It's only half a tile and not a new crack so looks like weathering. I'll leave it for now and see what happens as I doubt the crack is from the solar installation. I have a couple like it on the single story utility extension I'll get round to fixing when I buy a ladder lol. Only moved in here in sept and second child on the way next money pennies are more than tight. Still I'm really impressed with what the solar has made so far. The best investment ever and I love not buying it all from the grid