Before solar panels go on a tiled roof, get the roof checked and fix anything that needs it, because the panels will sit over those tiles for many years and removing them later costs money. Ask the installer how they will attach the mounts and avoid cracking tiles, and check the roof from the ground once they have finished. Cracked tiles and capping from installers walking on the roof are one of the most common causes of new leaks we see.
The short answer
- Inspect and repair the roof before panels go on
- Restoring later means removing and refitting the panels: Canstar cites $700 to $2,000
- Ask how the installer will fix mounts to a tiled roof and protect the tiles
- Check the roof from the ground after installation for cracked tiles and capping
- Leaves collect under panels: keep gutters and valleys clear
Before the panels go on
- Inspect the roofHave a roofer check the tiles, ridge capping, valleys and flashings in the area the panels will cover.
- Fix what is dueReplace cracked tiles, rebed and repoint tired capping, and replace rusted valleys now, while there is nothing in the way.
- Consider timing a restorationIf the roof is close to needing a restoration, doing it first avoids paying to remove and refit the panels later.
- Keep spare tilesLeave a few matched tiles with the installer in case one cracks during installation.
Why it costs more to fix the roof later
Once panels are on, the tiles and capping under them cannot be repaired or coated without removing them. Canstar cites removal and refitting adding $700 to $2,000 to a roof restoration quote. That is money saved by getting the roof right first.
These are market ranges from published Australian price guides, not Royce Roofing prices. Every roof is different. We give you a fixed written quote after a free inspection.
Sources: Canstar: How much does a roof restoration cost in 2026? (citing hipages).
Getting solar?
Book a free roof inspection before the installers arrive.
Ask your installer
- How will the mounts be attached to a tiled roof, and how will the tiles around them be refitted?
- Who walks on the roof, and how will they avoid cracking tiles and capping?
- Will cracked tiles be replaced, and with what?
- How will cable penetrations be sealed?
- Is the work covered by a warranty that includes the roof around the mounts?
After installation
- Look along the ridges from the ground for cracked or shifted capping
- Check the ceiling and roof space under the array after the first heavy rain
- Look for tile fragments in the gutters or on the ground
- Report damage to the installer quickly, with photos
Maintaining a roof with panels
- Leaves and debris collect under panels and in valleys around them; keep gutters and valleys clear
- Have the roof inspected every few years, including around the mounts
- If you have a rainwater tank, the roof still needs cleaning as health guidance recommends
See our roof maintenance schedule.
How Royce can help
We can inspect the roof before your installation, carry out any repairs or a restoration first, and supply matched spare tiles for the installer. If tiles have been cracked during an installation, we can replace them from our yards.
WorkSafe Victoria’s compliance code for housing construction puts edge protection such as guard railing ahead of harnesses and ladders when controlling the risk of falls from a roof. Our crews set up our own temporary safety rail, ladder guards and, where there are old skylights, safety nets before anyone works on the roof. Every crew member holds a working at heights qualification.
Common questions
Should I restore my roof before installing solar panels?
If the roof is close to needing a restoration, yes. Doing it later means removing and refitting the panels, which Canstar cites adding $700 to $2,000.
Can solar panels damage a tiled roof?
The panels themselves rarely do, but installers walking on the roof can crack tiles and ridge capping. Check the roof after installation.
How are solar panels attached to a tiled roof?
Mounting brackets are fixed through to the roof structure, with the tiles around them adjusted and refitted. Ask your installer how they do it and how they protect the tiles.
What should I check after solar installation?
Look along the ridges for cracked capping, check for tile pieces in the gutters, and check the ceiling under the array after heavy rain.
Do solar panels need roof maintenance around them?
Yes. Leaves collect under panels and in nearby valleys and gutters, and the roof around the mounts should be inspected every few years.
Can you replace tiles cracked by solar installers?
Yes. We match replacement tiles from our yards and replace them.
Related
Sources: Canstar: How much does a roof restoration cost in 2026? (citing hipages); enHealth: Guidance on the use of rainwater tanks.
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