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View Full Version : Condo is re-roofing, roof may be out for mounting - Options?

Drew2k
05-29-09, 12:23 PM
The schedule just came out and my condo is re-roofing all 513 units starting next week, with my unit expected in about 3 weeks. My dish is on my roof, but we just got hit with a big surprise: the roofing engineers are now telling the Board that any dishes reinstalled to roofs will immediately void the warranty, so it appears the Board will insisting on balcony installs only.

I just had a nice long talk with the office staff to explain that I have no LOS from my balcony and there are many others like me, so what will they do? They're not floating the idea of permitting exterior-wall mounting, which previously was banned, and I asked if I could do a pole mount, as my unit is an odd "end" unit where I am lucky enough to have three open sides and I do have adjacent lawn area (hugging my unit with good exposure).

So now I'm trying to get my options ...

I'm going to rule out a soffet mount based on the gutters and lines of sight.

I'd really like to go with the wall mount or pole mount if I can, because that's only one call to DIRECTV to remove my Slimline from the roof and re-mount it on the exterior wall or pole, and I will have no disruption during the roofing.

If the Board decides wall mounting and pole mounting are out, I can go with non-invasive roof mounts, but that would mean two trips from DIRECTV and no service between dismount and re-mount.

Are there recommended wall brackets or prep for exterior wall mounting? I must be googling the wrong terms because I can't find a mount plate or base ...

EDIT: I have aluminum siding.

EDIT: I just found this one, missed it earlier: SB8051-DB (earlier: SB8051-DB). Anyone ever used this? Any problems with it? Any other recommendations?

http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Perfect/SB8051-DBL.gif


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If I go with a pole mount for the slimline, just a 2" OD fence pole mounted in cocrete?
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Now for the roof ... I found two non-penetrating roof mounts:

1) NPR4A-roof-mount (http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Install/NPR4A-roof-mount.htm)
2) nprm5-np_roof-mount
(http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Install/nprm5-non-penetrating-roof-mount.htm)
Do they both work with the Slimline? One recommended over the other? Will DIRECTV install to these? Do I need to supply anything?

Image for 1:|http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Install/ROOF-MOUNT_small.jpg
Image for 2:|http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Install/75nprm.gif


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I also found 2 permanent roof mounts, which the roofers will have to install as they re-roof. Do these both support the Slimline mounting brackets? Is one preferred over the other?

1) Commdeck_Dish_Mount (http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Commdeck/Commdeck_Dish_Mount.htm)
2) Retrodeck_Dish_Mount (http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Commdeck/Retrodeck_Dish_Mount.htm)

Image for 1:|http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Commdeck/commdeck_buy_box.jpg
Image for 2:|http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Products/Commdeck/retrodeck_buy_box.jpg


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As I mentioned, I'd love to go with a wall or pole mount as it would mean no disruption during re-roofing, but I obviously could take the dish down myself, so really my only concern is that whatever I end up with (that the Board permits), DIRECTV is willing to install to it and I have everything I need ...

Thanks for all your help gang!
dave29
05-29-09, 12:40 PM
I like the COMMDECK mounts. They also have a "tab" mount for the monopoles.
EDIT: Yes, a 2'' OD pole will work for the pole mount.
Mertzen
05-29-09, 12:42 PM
Are there recommended wall brackets or prep for exterior wall mounting? I must be googling the wrong terms because I can't find a mount plate or base ...
For most concrete and/or brick work we use expansion anchors or lag shield. The latter being the better choice.


If I go with a pole mount for the slimline, just a 2" OD fence pole mounted in cocrete?
Yup 2" OD. Keep in mind if you want to go with a 'bucket of concrete' that most tech use at least 5 50lbs bags of it for a regular pole mount. You're talking250lbs here. Not easy to put that in any sort of bucket.
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Do they both work with the Slimline?
Yes and no. Image 1 is the best and comes standard with a pipe for the slimline and also takes 8 bricks. Image 2 doesn't come with a pipe and is normally for smaller masts. I have used it by self tapping the ka/ku mast on it with self tapping screws. Not too many guys know that 'trick'

One recommended over the other?
Image 1

Will DIRECTV install to these?
They do, but expect a hassle. Subs won't have them [ and trust me, you're in sub country on the island ] and tech sups somtimes forget the calls for non pens


Do I need to supply anything?
Get the cinder blocks, one less thing the tech might have to run around for.



DIRECTV is willing to install to it and I have everything I need ...

If D* gives you a hard time PM me, I have my share of tricks up my sleeve.
Drew2k
05-29-09, 12:43 PM
I'm reading the above posts, but I should have mentioned - I have aluminum siding.
smiddy
05-29-09, 12:45 PM
Mine is mounted on the side of my house. I will take some decent pictures of it...it is standard I beleive.

EDIT: Aluminuim might make a deference!
Drew2k
05-29-09, 12:47 PM
Thanks guys ... so it's Commdeck over Retrodeck for the perm roof mount, and it's the non-penetrating roof mount with the bracket over the one without.

I would definitely try to buy everything before hand, so I have the bracket and blocks in place.

For the pole mount, you wouldn't go directly into the ground? You'd still do a bucket-mount?

I'd really like to do the wall mount, but that unnerves me (what with gravity and all) as I'm not sure how secure the mount would be ...
Mertzen
05-29-09, 12:48 PM
I'm reading the above posts, but I should have mentioned - I have aluminum siding.

Not recommended or approved by D*. Will damage the siding and hit and miss to hit the studs.
Drew2k
05-29-09, 12:53 PM
Not recommended or approved by D*. Will damage the siding and hit and miss to hit the studs.I knew this would be a problem ... :(
dave29
05-29-09, 12:55 PM
Drew, don't use that siding block. They are made of vinyl and there will be play in it. I wouldn't hang anything more than a light on that.
dave29
05-29-09, 12:57 PM
For the pole mount, you wouldn't go directly into the ground? You'd still do a bucket-mount?


I would definitely go into the ground instead of a bucket.
Tom Robertson
05-29-09, 01:11 PM
You might want to work with the roofing engineers on a solution for a single dish per building and routing cables to each unit within the building.

Good luck!
Tom
Drew2k
05-29-09, 01:12 PM
Thanks again guys ...

I just dropped off some printouts from the Sadoun site showing the options and recommending the perm-roof mounts. It looks like the homeowners will have to negotiate with the roofing contractor for installation as if we are installing a skylight, but at least it looks like they're going to work with us instead of simply flat-out saying "balcony or nothing" ...
dave29
05-29-09, 01:15 PM
Thanks again guys ...

I just dropped off some printouts from the Sadoun site showing the options and recommending the perm-roof mounts. It looks like the homeowners will have to negotiate with the roofing contractor for installation as if we are installing a skylight, but at least it looks like they're going to work with us instead of simply flat-out saying "balcony or nothing" ...

The roofers shouldn't charge you more than $25-$50 to install those mounts. All they have to do is install the main center mount and then the monopole mounts will be added at the time of the dish install. They just have a tab that slides under the shingle tab.
Drew2k
05-29-09, 01:23 PM
You might want to work with the roofing engineers on a solution for a single dish per building and routing cables to each unit within the building.

Good luck!
TomWe have a subsidized contract with Cablevision (really a steal for the package we get, and pay for with Common Fees) so I know they won't entertain that thought. On top of that, there are over 500 units in 65 buildings - it's a really large complex ...

Here it is from Big Brother. My condo complex has the gray roofs (surrounding a much smaller complex with the brown roofs).
Drew2k
05-29-09, 01:27 PM
The roofers shouldn't charge you more than $25-$50 to install those mounts. All they have to do is install the main center mount and then the monopole mounts will be added at the time of the dish install. They just have a tab that slides under the shingle tab.You're right - it really shouldn't be difficult, but it's what they're saying ...

The Board's big concern is that warranties aren't voided. I even suggested that if that is they're concern, they amend the satellite installation policy to require perm roof mounts in the future, instead of surface dish mounting, as this would be no different than a future homeowner installing a skylight, but I got funny looks for suggesting this too! I think they just need time to digest the options.

What I really feel bad about is as I was getting to the office this afternoon, they were handing one of the workers fliers to hand out to the first 2 buildings, on a Friday afternoon, to tell them work is starting on their roofs on Monday! These folks have had NO lead time to prep for dish removal, re-installation, etc. I just feel lucky I went over to the office today...