Rooftop Antenna

Discussion in 'Home Improvement' started by Von Jones, Aug 1, 2020.

  1. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
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    This may be a problem or may be not but I noticed today that our rooftop antenna is leaning against the chimney. I'm concerned that it may have caused damage to the not-so-new roof now.

    Open to hear thoughts. Thank you.
     
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  2. Peter Renfro

    Peter Renfro Veteran Member
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    How heavy is it? Was it mounted to the roof or the chimney? If to the roof, somebody should probably get up there and take a look, it may have torn some shingles or decking up. Maybe you can view the area with binoculars? If to the chimney probably not that much of a problem, although with it being loose,it is probably a good blow from coming down.
    Of course this is just an opinion from some guy on the interwebs and worth about what you paid for it!
     
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  3. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    Agree with Mr. Renfro.

    It sounds like you have a new roof (if "not so new roof" means you think the antenna damaged fresh work.) If the antenna is mounted to the roof and not to the chimney, they definitely had to take it off in order to get the new shingles down. Otherwise, they still may have had to move it to reseal the flashing around the chimney. Did the roofing guys reinstall it properly?

    If you have attic access, at least go up there during a rain storm where the mounting bolts come through to be sure there's no leaks. Maybe you can see if the bolts are loose/have pulled out.

    Take pics from inside the attic and outside, and post them here if you like. If it were me, I'd call the roofing company and get them out to look at it.
     
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  4. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
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    @John Brunner. Ironic that you mentioned rain storm because that's exactly what occurred minutes after walking in the house. We have had some very strong winds for the past two weeks during some thunderstorms.

    The roof is around six years old the house is a few years shy of 100.

    I could go in the attic that I call 'chimney space' but I'd have a heck of a time getting beyond the small opening to where the antenna 'might' be to look. I will probably have a roofer come and take a look see. Cha'ching in their pockets.

    I appreciate the feedback thank you @John Brunner @Peter Renfro.
     
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  5. Yvonne Smith

    Yvonne Smith Senior Staff
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    We have a little antenna that we got from Amazon, and it works really well, even though it is small. Bobby did put it up on the roof, but it would have been fine just about anyplace close to the house.
    If you decide to get a different smaller antenna, you might check on Amazon. Here is a picture of ours.

    E6CF56CE-90BA-458A-B1D8-D500F26FCBB8.jpeg
     
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  6. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    That's good news that there was no recent roof work (and reinstallation of the antenna), Von.

    Makes me doubt there would be any leaks. If your antenna is not strapped to the chimney, it's on a roof mount, which are tripods that are held on by 3 bolts at each leg's foot. Or it might be mounted to a mast that's attached along the side of the house. (I almost went that way.)

    Even in high winds, I don't think antennas can catch the wind enough to pull their mounts loose. There's just not enough surface area for them to catch the wind. They may work free of where they are attached to the mounts, but they're not gonna pull up the mounts from a roof or a chimney. It ain't Oz!

    Mine have been through some nasty storms in the past 6 years, and I have two antenna on the mast: one pointing in one direction and one pointing the other. A quick web search shows the only common wind-caused tv antenna issue is diminished reception due to trees swaying back & forth, interfering with the transmission signal.

    I wouldn't worry. I bet the antenna just worked free of its mount. Maybe a handyman who gets on roofs would be a cheaper alternative. Or at least ask the roofer if he'll remount the antenna while he's up there to save a second call.
     
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  7. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    I installed one of these:

    [​IMG]

    One market's 45 miles away, another is 25 miles away in the opposite direction with a 3rd market in the same line-of-sight about 30 miles beyond that. Surprisingly, I get 43 channels. And I'm not in an ideal location.
     
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  8. Beth Gallagher

    Beth Gallagher Supreme Member
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    Von, maybe your insurance company could sent an inspector to look at it. If it happened after high wind, they might pay to have it repaired for you.
     
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  9. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
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    @Beth Gallagher that's what I'll do Monday. If it is loose it could come tumbling down.
     
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  10. Ed Wilson

    Ed Wilson Veteran Member
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    If it is not in the position it used to be, better take a look at what happened. I suggest you try an indoor antenna around different areas in the house. You might not even need one on the roof. Mine are inside. One for each TV.
     
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  11. Ed Wilson

    Ed Wilson Veteran Member
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    https://www.tvfool.com/ Check this out. Enter your location for a map of the stations in your area and direction.
     
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  12. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    I was just gonna post that link, Ed. GREAT site! Helped me to get 40+ stations out here in the middle of nowhere.

    As you said, Von can see the direction from which stations in her area are transmitting, and then set her inside antenna oriented that way. As I recall, she lives in a metropolitan area, so should have no problem getting a bunch of stations with an indoor antenna. I once had an indoor antenna to augment my satellite dish with the local news stations, and I was able to pull in a handful of channels from 20-30 miles away in my wooded gully.
     
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  13. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
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    Thank you for the reference.
     
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  14. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
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    I just came in from getting a better look at the antenna. It looks like it's attached to the chimney that way. Hmph, I guess I never really paid attention to it before and it struck me as odd the way it was leaning.

    Everyone has been so helpful thank you all. My biggest concern that the antenna could fall is now resolved.
     
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  15. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
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    Thanks for closing the loop, Von.
    I'm glad things are OK.

    I can't count the number of times I've done the same thing.
    We're funny little critters sometimes...
     
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