Big thing for put solar tile mounts is don't break the tiles: First, check roof; use hooks to fix mounts right to roof battens; make sure good water seal; then, do module put and water test.
1: Preparations Before Installation Before you start put it on, you must first do a big check of your roof. Look at the tiles for cracks, signs of old weather, or being loose. If the tiles got weak or broke, it is good to swap them with new ones before go on. Also, look at the roof battens and the roof build to make sure they can hold the extra weight. The weight hold power of tile roofs is usually lower than other roof kinds, so this step is real important. You also need to make sure the roof’s slant and which way it faces. Tile roofs usually have a slant between 20 and 45 degrees, which is good for put in a sun power system and gives good water run-off. After you finish the check, make a plan for the solar tile mount based on the size of the sun power parts. Mark where the roof battens are with a marker; you can do this by tap the tiles soft to hear the sound or by measure up from the bottom edge. Each solar tile mounts hook must be put exact on a roof batten; this is key for making sure the whole system is safe. When you get your tools ready, you need a tile lifter, an angle grinder, steel bolts that don’t rust, sealant, and flashing. Once all stuff is in place, you can start the real put in.
2: How to Safely Handle Tiles and Install Hooks Putting the tiles is big step in whole put-up work, it say if tiles can be fixed without break. Find the mark spots and use a tile lift tool to slide tile up slow, show the roof wood under. Be extra careful with cement or clay tiles, these stuff are weak and too much push can make them crack. If you must take off a whole tile, pull it out from under the tile above it soft; don't push it to break. Then, put the hooks. Hooks are main parts of sun tile mount systems and are often made from steel that don't rust or hot-dip steel. Set the up part of hook flat next to the tile wood side and fix it with steel bolts. The flat part of hook will sit under tile, giving hold. After hooks are fixed, put tile back to its first spot. If tile hit the hook, use a angle grinder to cut a small notch at tile bottom. Keep cut size small—just enough to miss hook and not hurt tile's strong shape. When every hook is set right, the base for sun tile mount system is done. Check all hooks are flat, this will change how flat the next rail put-up is.
3. Waterproof Sealing and Main Rail Installation Waterproofing is big need for keep roof no leak long time. Every spot where hook go through tile can be a leak place, so this step must not skip. After put hooks in, fill the holes where hooks go through tiles with weather-strong sealant. Then, put a flashing strip over the hook. The top part of flashing should go under the tile row above, and the sides and bottom part should cover the area around the hook. In places with big wind and heavy rain, a double-layer waterproof system is good: first put a layer of butyl tape, then put the flashing strip. When waterproof done, start put main rail. Fix main rail to hooks with connectors, and use a level to make rail flat. The main rail is the big load part of solar tile mount system; it is often made of aluminum alloy and can be cut to needed length. Special connectors join main rails, make joints smooth and no steps. All bolts must be tight to given torque and have lock washers. Now, the frame of solar tile mount system is done, next step is put photovoltaic modules.
4: Module Securing and Final Inspection Put the sun power things on big rails and hold them with module clamps. Edge clamps go at the edges of the group, middle clamps go between two next to each other. Rubber pieces must be put where clamps touch the module frames to stop hidden cracks from direct touch. Use not too much force when tight the bolts; too tight may break the frame, not tight enough won't hold strong winds. After put the modules done, make the ground link to let all metal parts make a non-stop ground path. Last, do a water spray test by point a water hose from a high spot on the roof down for 15 minutes, then look inside for any water leaks. Check all bolts are tight, rails are flat, and modules don't move much. By do these steps, you can finish a good install without hurt the roof tiles. This sun tile put up process has been tested in many jobs and makes sure the system works long and steady.
