If you're installing satellite service in your home, you're going to have to put your satellite dish on your roof. But, where should you put it for clear, uninterrupted service? Before you install your dish on your roof, you'll need to consider the following:
What direction should my satellite dish face?
The recommended installation location is 4 to 6 feet away from your house, with the satellite dish pointing towards the southern sky. You will need to adjust the dish for both vertical and horizontal alignment. This will be easy, as your dish will come with a signal meter to help you adjust.
In terms of local placement, your satellite dish cannot have anything blocking it. This includes branches, leaves, buildings, and more. If the dish can't be installed 4 to 6 feet away, then the dish can be installed on the roof to get an unobstructed view. If you cannot use your roof, you can install on a patio, back deck, garage, or even a secured metal rod. Make sure the rod is anchored using concrete so the dish stays upright during extreme weather.
Place your satellite dish in an area where snow will fall off easily. While us folks in San Antonio don't have to worry about snow too often, you should still put the dish away from a space where falling snow or ice could be an issue. Snow and ice can affect the strength of the signal.
And, if you need it down to the exact degree, this satellite dish pointing calculator can walk you through the finer points of placement.
[Note: If you are installing a satellite dish at your apartment, ask the main office before proceeding. They may have certain regulations set by the FCC that they have to follow.]
Will a satellite dish damage my roof?
Not if you're installing the dish right. If you're using a certified installer, they will drill some fasteners into the house to secure the dish, then seal any problem spots before moving forward.
If you're doing the installation yourself, the chances for a leak increase exponentially. The leak will also not present itself immediately, instead wearing out the area around the satellite and causing leaky gaps over time. To prevent a leak from forming, you can add a rubber sheet underneath the footplate of the satellite. Adding roofing tar or another sealant over the satellite mount can also protect against future roof leaks.
Need a Professional Roofer's Opinion?
Contact Cloud Roofing to speak with one of our roofing contractors. We can take a look at your roof and help it become leakproof when you've installed your brand new satellite dish.