Installer here...need help fast

[pdawg17]

I have a remodeled house with a new roof...there is no overhang at the edge of the roof that bottoms to the outside world to mount the dish on the roof...the regular wall mount arm does not stick out enough to clear the overhang...the installer says when mounting on the roof with attic underneath there is risk for leaking into the attic and says he would hate to risk that with a new roof...he says with my layout the only other option is a longer arm with bracing on the side wall but that it is an extra $100 for that mount...he said he would mount the dish into the roof but would have to be my call...

What should I do?

Wall is stucco btw

[putty469]

Many people on this forum don't like mounting into stucco. Absent a roof, under-eave, or wall mount, a pole mount is about the only other option. Is that possible at your location? I don't like the idea of a dish mounted on a roof over living space, but that is your call...

[fusion04]

...there is no overhang at the edge of the roof that bottoms to the outside world.... .....arm does not stick out enough to clear the overhang...

Is there overhang, or not?

[pdawg17]

Is there overhang, or not?

I wish I could explain it...I would take a picture but my internet isn't up yet (I'm using my phone)...there is an overhang but it's like a metal one with a bunch of tiny holes in the bottom (like a vent of some sort)...does that make sense?

[tcusta00]

Is a pole mount an option?

Failing that, penetrating the roof with a dish mount isn't an issue if it's sealed properly.

[pdawg17]

Many people on this forum don't like mounting into stucco. Absent a roof, under-eave, or wall mount, a pole mount is about the only other option. Is that possible at your location? I don't like the idea of a dish mounted on a roof over living space, but that is your call...

I don't love the stucco idea either...that's the problem...I have a narrow path down the same side of the house as where the dish used to be but my house is 3 feet from the fence line...is that a problem code-wise? And the backyard is too close to our big bay tree for a pole mount (the wife wouldn't want it there anyway)

[BattleZone]

The roof mount isn't a HUGE issue, except that you need to understand that YOU will need to do some minor maintenance. This means every 2-3 years, you'll need to go up on the roof and add some Henry's roof tar with a caulking gun. It's 5 minutes worth of work. But that should ensure that you don't have any leaks (the installer should be using Bishop tape or Henry's to seal the original install).

As long as you're willing to do that, no problem.

[fusion04]

I wish I could explain it...I would take a picture but my internet isn't up yet (I'm using my phone)...there is an overhang but it's like a metal one with a bunch of tiny holes in the bottom (like a vent of some sort)...does that make sense?

Yes, it makes sense. Thanks.

[pdawg17]

Yes, it makes sense. Thanks.

So he's right that you can't mount there?

[pdawg17]

The roof mount isn't a HUGE issue, except that you need to understand that YOU will need to do some minor maintenance. This means every 2-3 years, you'll need to go up on the roof and add some Henry's roof tar with a caulking gun. It's 5 minutes worth of work. But that should ensure that you don't have any leaks (the installer should be using Bishop tape or Henry's to seal the original install).

As long as you're willing to do that, no problem.

I don't mind...especially if you guys think the wall is a worse idea...

EDIT: I just told my wife about the roof idea and she is freaking out that it's going to leak...

[tcusta00]

So he's right that you can't mount there?

What you're referring to are called soffit vents and look something like this:

http://www.austinroofing.ca/images/vents/vents2.jpg

The problem that the installer is encountering is probably either 1. He can't find anything under the plastic vent material to mount the dish to or 2. The construction of you home is such that the aforementioned material doesn't exist.

[tcusta00]

I don't mind...especially if you guys think the wall is a worse idea...

EDIT: I just told my wife about the roof idea and she is freaking out that it's going to leak...

Tell your wife that IIP from dbstalk said it's okay. :grin:

[pdawg17]

What you're referring to are called soffit vents and look something like this:

http://www.austinroofing.ca/images/vents/vents2.jpg

The problem that the installer is encountering is probably either 1. He can't find anything under the plastic vent material to mount the dish to or 2. The construction of you home is such that the aforementioned material doesn't exist.

The shingles cover some of it but you can't roof mount on top of it?

BTW, I found out there is 1/2" plywood behind the stucco...does that make the wall mount any better?

[wolfman730]

I've had dishes on my roof since 1998. If installed properly, like stated above, you should have no problems.

[JoeF]

Just my .02, but if I had no option other than roof mounting, I think I'd pay a roofer to install a proper roof penetration (the kind used around a plumbing vent). I'd then run the pole down into the attic and secure it to a rafter.

[tcusta00]

The shingles cover some of it but you can't roof mount on top of it?


Not sure what DirecTVs policies are and what the strength of that would be. My gut tells me that it would be weaker to mount it there versus above the house, but I'm no engineer.

http://www.cedar-log-homes.com/Small-stuff-images/2x6TopCord.gif

[pdawg17]

I've had dishes on my roof since 1998. If installed properly, like stated above, you should have no problems.

Anyone know in general if mounting a dish on a roof voids the warranty for a roofing install?

[spartanstew]

I've had dishes mounted on the roof on each of my last two houses (current house is a new build - 4 years ago). No problems with either one.

[wolfman730]

Anyone know in general if mounting a dish on a roof voids the warranty for a roofing install?

I don't see how it could.

[crsanders]

I ended up using the mount offered at:
http://www.dishmountproducts.com/slimline.html

The picture on the right is what I have, but I bought two support arms and mounted both to the house itself. My home is stucco, but CBS underneath and using the appropriate anchors worked just fine (I also used clear silicone sealant in the bolt holes and around the mount).

In Florida, as you might imagine, we have high winds. Installed 2 years ago, never had an issue.

Good luck

[JACKIEGAGA]

Anyone know in general if mounting a dish on a roof voids the warranty for a roofing install?

My dish is on the roof since 05 never had any leaks or problems

[BattleZone]

Stucco isn't the same in all places...

In San Francisco, a stucco house will have 1" thick stucco, and it's hard as steel. The mast would bend/break before the stucco gave way.

In some of the 60s and 70s suburban houses in the towns around me, the stucco is about 3/8" thick and soft, with nothing behind it but tar paper and chicken wire. You put a dish on that, and the stucco is going to crack and run, and eventually the dish will end up on the ground and there will be a chunk missing out of the wall.

The newer 90's and 2000-era homes have a thin layer of stucco over sheets of styrofoam. I've seen installers who have done wall mounts on this, and either the anchors will just pull out, or the dish will take a chunk of wall with it.

The worst are some homes built in the mid-90s: they use styrofoam stucco, which is stucco with beads of styrofoam mixed in. The walls are so soft that you can press a hole through them with your finger, and no anchors will stay in, not even when you use cable clips. That stuff was so bad it was banned about 5 years after they started using it.

[BattleZone]

Tell your wife that IIP from dbstalk said it's okay. :grin:

Oh, SURE. Then it's going to be MY fault when it leaks! :lol:

Seriously, though, leaks happen because some installers use no sealant at all, because the installer didn't hit a stud and is just bolting to the plywood, or because the dish has been up there for 10+ years with no maintenance. All of these are very easy to prevent/avoid with a little bit of care.

[joe diamond]

Anyone know in general if mounting a dish on a roof voids the warranty for a roofing install?
You are looking at a prorated deal. A twenty year roof warrants the the materials only. Ten years down the road you are looking at half the current material cost. No labor & no water escapement.

IF you have a bonded roof installation there are different conditions but you would know that already because either you or the original seller to you pointed it out.

Your home owner's policy may also guide you.

IF you have any signal fluctuations assume the dish is loose and will leak. Get up there with some caulk and hardware to see if the dish is moving.

If the tech has some monopoles have him use at least one if possible and caulk that too.

Joe

[avmaster]

Roof mounts may work, fine and may never leak, but I can tell you for sure that we cant even think about mounting a dish over any living space, period. Good way to get fired really quick.