As streaming tech advances more homeowners are switching from satellite TV to internet-based options. A satellite dish can make a house look ugly, and taking out the system can be tough if the mount has gone through the roof materials. This is a big issue many of our Oklahoma customers are dealing with!
Most satellite dishes need a few nuts and bolts to stay up, but if you don’t remove them the right way, you might end up with water leaks. This happens because the mount goes through the shingles, ice and water shield, and decking. In this post, we’ll check out the parts of a satellite dish mount how to take it down to avoid damage, and some signs that you might need to call a Tulsa roofing company to help.
DIY Satellite Dish Removal
Before you rush to your garage and grab your toolbox, you should figure out if taking a satellite dish off your roof is something you want to tackle yourself. If you’ve got time and you’re open to learning how it’s done, you could handle this job on your own. But let’s be real – this is often the kind of project that most homeowners would rather hand over to the pros.
If you decide to remove your satellite dish yourself, make sure you have a sturdy ladder and the right tools. It’s also a good idea to look into ways to recycle the dish after you take it down so it doesn’t end up in the trash. We suggest working with a pro, but we still want to give you the info you need to make a smart choice about how to tackle the job.
The Parts of a Satellite Dish System
While the satellite dish stands out as the main and easy-to-spot part of the setup, you’ll still need to deal with the wiring mounting bracket, and other key tech pieces in use. To give you a clearer picture of a satellite dish system, let’s break down the main parts you’ll come across as you take it apart.
- Satellite Dish – This curved round part gathers signals from the satellite and sends them to the receiver. When you take off this piece of the setup, be careful not to hurt the dish or your roof.
- Low-Noise Block Downconverter – People call this an LNB for short. It sits on the dish arm and changes the caught signals so the receiver can read them. Before you lift this part, make sure to unplug any wires connected to it.
- Wiring System – Every satellite dish has a wiring setup that runs from the LNB to a cable splitter. This splitter sends separate coaxial cables to the receivers inside your house. Most often, you’ll find the splitter mounted on your home’s outer wall – making it simple to locate and disconnect these wires.
- Mounting Hardware – The last part of a satellite dish system consists of the actual nuts and bolts that hold everything together. With a socket wrench and a set of screwdrivers, you should have no trouble spotting and taking out these parts.
Satellite Dish Removal Tools
You’ve learned about the parts of a satellite dish system. Let’s look at the tools you’ll need to take it off your roof . Of course, you’ll need a strong ladder to climb up and check things out. But there are a few other key tools you should gather before you start.
- Cable Cutters – Many satellite dish systems have multiple cables coming off the LNB. To make the process easier, you’ll want a good set of cable cutters. You won’t reuse these coaxial cables, so feel free to cut them.
- Wrench or Screwdriver – Different satellite dish mounting systems use different screws to hold them in place. Usually a socket wrench set or screwdriver will work. Take some time to grab both, if you have them, before you start.
- Work Gloves – Some satellite dish mounting parts can wear down over time due to storms and develop sharp edges. Also, asphalt shingles can damage your hands if you don’t protect them. Keep a pair of work gloves nearby to shield your hands.
- Roof Sealant – After you take off the satellite dish, you’ll see holes from the mounting bracket and screws. This means you’ll need roofing sealant – usually silicone or tar – to stop leaks and plug the holes.
Satellite Dish Removal Steps
Before you begin, take a moment to check your tools and think about how to do this . If you’re unsure or don’t have all the necessary tools, you might want to call a professional for help. If you’re ready to start here’s the order you should follow:
- Turn Off Power – Most satellite dish cables have a connection to a line power inserter. This gives the coaxial cables DC power. Because of this, you need to shut off the power to your home before you cut any wires. Don’t skip this step!
- Disconnect Cabling – After you shut off the power, start to disconnect the cables. Take time to label each wire, if you can. This makes removal easier. If you find it hard to unscrew the coaxial cables by hand, use your cable cutters.
- Loosen Mount – After you take out the wires, figure out if you need a wrench or screwdriver to loosen the mounting bracket. Go slow with this step to avoid damaging your shingles and roof.
- Unmount the Dish – Once you’ve loosened the screws, you should be able to lift the satellite dish off the bracket . If the dish still wobbles, you need to loosen the screws more. Put the dish you’ve taken off safely on the ground then go back to the roof.
- Removing the Footplate – The footplate attaches to the roofing system. You need to be extra careful during this step. After you take out the screws, lift the footplate . Try to disturb the asphalt shingles as little as you can.
- Inspection and Sealing – Once you remove the footplate, look at the roof to see if any damage happened while mounting or removing it. If you find cracks or other problems, get in touch with a roof repair company. For minor damage, use sealant to stop leaks. First clear away any debris. Then, apply the sealant using a putty knife and smooth it out.
RainTech Can Fix Your Roof!
Satellite dish systems became popular in the mid-90s. In fact, by 1994 about 10 million people were using this technology! From what we’ve seen, many of these houses now need new roofs. But don’t worry – if taking down your satellite dish causes any damage, we’re always here to help with repairs.
RainTech Roofing has offered top-notch Tulsa roofing services for more than two decades, and we’re eager to help with your project too. If you want to know more about our roof replacement or roof repair services, our helpful Customer Success Representatives are just a phone call away.
When you reach out, you can schedule your free inspection to check for storm damage, spot any new or existing problems, and explore our excellent roofing system options and financing. We’re sure you’ll appreciate our customer service and focus on details!
If you spot any harm to your roof after taking down your satellite dish, please get in touch with us to tackle the problems before the next storm hits. This can help cut down the chance of pricey water damage and will make sure your roof is ready to keep giving you the protection you need for years to come!
