Lag Bolt Question

[tferrio]

I had an install scheduled for Friday but the installers left saying I needed to get my electrician to install a ground rod. (Plumbing is plastic in this house under construction and electrical box is on south side, too far away form required antenna location.) Since electrician will be here anyway I can get that done right away so I'm not pissed.

Installers could install antenna on gable end but their 3 inch lag bolts are about an inch short of getting good traction in the end rafter. I would like to buy longer bolts in advance of new install (so they don't install through shingles) so I'm writing to ask what diameter the bolts are so I can get the right ones.

Thanks, Tom

[25_Bullberry]

You should use 3/8" diameter lags. Make sure they use lock washers if you cannot find whiz lags. ( the kind with the washer built in)

[randyk47]

My installer had a selection of different length lags but it was a private installer not D*. We went with lags that were at least 5" to go through a 2"x10" mounting board and the 2"x8" fascia/rake board. We'd reinforced the fascia with 2 4" deck screws at three rafters ends and still centered the mast footing over one rafter end to catch it with two of the lags. He really leaned on the mounting to make sure it was secure. In fact, the reason I had a private installer do the work was that D* wouldn't, too high and too steep a roof for them. My installer finished the install with his safety line around the mast at the base near the footing, that's how secure he felt it was. In all he put 6 lags in the footing. Four of the long ones so he'd get a bite through both the 2"x10" and the 2"x8" and two shorter 2" lags in the bottom portion since the 2"x10" overlapped the fascia by about 2"-3".

[tferrio]

Thanks all for the quick help! This is a great resource! Tom