Best way to mount on metal roofs

[SouthernSky]

I have recently had a number of customers who have reroofed or built new with a metal roof, some with pitches between 8:12 and 10:12. Because of the steep angles, a non-penetrating mount will surely slide off. And metal often overhangs the eaves ruling out fascia mounting. Last, many of these homes have metal or vinyl siding.

So if you have no choice to avoid obstructions than to get high up on the roof, what do you do? Use the peak somehow?

I'd like to hear how you are handling metal roofs, especially any tricks you have found for secure mounting.

Thanks in advance!

[Bill R]

You might want to check your local codes before you install on a metal roof. Some local codes don't allow any antennas (including satellite dishes) to be installed on a metal roof.

I have seen many satellite dishes installed on houses with vinyl siding. If you use the proper mounting hardware there shouldn't be a problem.

[SouthernSky]

The siding is an option but the owner prefers the roof.
I've mounted a couple there but DirecTV frowns upon that.

I know of no hardware that would be proper for vinyl siding without crushing it flat or cutting a piece out. What is it you do?

[boba]

How much liability insurance do you carry? If you penetrate that roof you create a liability for future leaks, never mind how slippery it might be.

[Mike500]

Don't penetrate. If roof is made of flat material and not painted, glue together two 12"x12" pieces of 3/4" plywood. Then. glue the plywood pad to the roof with a construction adhesive like "Liquid Nails." Hold it in place temporarily with duct tape. You might have to come back a day later to mount the dish. Use 1-1/4" #14 hex head sheet metal mounting screws, so that you don't penetrate the roof. You can use stainless steel aircraft safety wire to saw through the construction adhesive and clean the residue off with lacquer thinner, if you want to remove the dish.

[SouthernSky]

I think I figured a way to handle most of my jobs. A standard 3/4" piece of solid wood cut just larger than the dbs mounting plate seems to fit perfect under the ridge cap. Under the ridge cap there is usually wood or metal because that is what the ridge cap is screwed into. Since these also allow venting to the attic, there is enough space to get a couple wires in to the attic.

Of course, working in the attic sucks, especially in the afternoon, but it does offer one possible solution and it gets the dbs antenna and the Winegard pancake up pretty high. The latter is important here (we're a non-locals area) and the pancake off-air antenna can't be put under a metal roof.

Thanks for all your input, past and future.

[Sandman]

How good is the reception with the Winegard pancake ?

Bob

[SouthernSky]

Some channels are as clear as glass. Others are fuzzy. Altitude seems to matter greatly in our area. The amplified version seems to work significantly better for locals that aren't really local at all.

How good is the reception with the Winegard pancake ?

Bob

[AntAltMike]

I know of no hardware that would be proper for vinyl siding without crushing it flat or cutting a piece out.

I bought a plate that fits over about eight vertical inches of siding, and the sides of it have been jagged-cut to match the slope of siding, if you can picture that. I think I paid about ten dollars for it and probably bought it from either DSI, Centroncs or Ronard. I think that those are the only three companies that I buy gizmos from. I have never used it.

[Mike500]

You can always use the old "Primestar pole adapter" on a vent pipe, if the vent pipe is either copper or cast iron. I would not use it on a "cellular" or even a solid schedule 40 pvc or abs plastic pipe.