Moving into a new place comes with its own trials and tribulations. From dealing with faulty wiring to decorating everything just how you want it.
The last thing you want to do is deal with an unnecessary satellite dish.
So, you can call in a professional! We explain who you call when you need a satellite dish to get the job done quickly and correctly.
Without having to disrupt your day.
You will also find the right steps to remove the dish yourself. If you are feeling confident in your abilities with power tools that is.
To remove a satellite dish correctly a roofer is your best option. With the satellite dish being the homeowner’s responsibility you can remove the satellite dish by yourself.
Although, this poses more risk of damage to the roof itself. You can also contact a general handyman.
Who Can You Call To Remove A Satellite Dish?
When you move into your new home, the building itself may not be so new. Meaning it may have a satellite dish already installed and you need it removed.
Over the years, weather conditions like snow, rain, and even hurricans can damage the dish. The dish can lean and even become a safety hazard
Having a satellite dish installed can be an eyesore. But, many do not feel comfortable removing it themselves. So, they call in the help of a handyman or a roofer.
Tradesman, such as roofers and handymen, have the training to use the tools needed to remove the dish. This minimizes damage to both the dish and your walls.
Once the dish is gone, make sure the professional fills in the holes left by the bracket. They should use a good quality asphalt-based sealant.
This will prevent roof leaks and prevent the growth of black mold inside your home.
Who Is Responsible For Removal?
While you may think that it may be the satellite dish provider who is responsible for removing the satellite dish, they are not.
No one is responsible for the removal of the satellite dish other than the current homeowner.
Once you sign the lease agreement and are the registered homeowner, the satellite dish is then considered the homeowner’s property.
This means it is your responsibility to have the dish removed from the home.
Many homeowners choose to remove the dish themselves or take the options mentioned above of hiring a roofer or handyman to remove it carefully.
We highly recommend consulting a professional.
Although, if you have the tools and the confidence, you can remove the satellite dish yourself. And we can show you how!
How To Remove A Satellite Dish Safely
Whether you are trying to remain within a budget or happen to know your way around tools then you can turn the removal of a satellite dish into a DIY project.
Removing a satellite dish can sound intimidating but with a few simple steps and some patience you can get the job done.
Before you begin drilling holes and removing screws, there are a few things you will need to consider.
A satellite dish consists of 3 components: the dish, the bracket, and the cables. You need to remove all three of these components separately and safely.
What You Will Need
- Ladder
- Pilers
- Wrench
- Wire Cutters
- Screwdrivers
- Angle Grinder
- Tar or Silicone Caulk
- Crowbar
Steps To Remove A Satellite Dish
- Ensure the ladder is safely balanced underneath the satellite dish and climb to where it is: You should be able to reach around the dish comfortably.
- Unscrew the dish hook-up: This is the cable which connects the satellite dish to the inside of the home. You have to disconnect this and remove it before you can continue.
- Remove the physical dish: To accomplish this, pry the dish away from the footplate where it attaches using a wrench. Most frequently, the two bolts hold the dish in position. When you remove the bolts, the dish will simply slip out.
- Remove the footplate: This is where a lot of damage can occur. Unscrew the bolts which attach the plate to the roof. Once unscrewed, ply the plate off the roof with a crowbar.
- Seal the roof: With the footplate removed, there are going to be holes left in your roof. Use a good quality silicon or tar to fill in the holes to prevent leakage or black mold.
Or if you prefer to not go through the effort and risk of removing the footplate there is an alternative method:
- Complete steps 1-3 and cut off the bracket right at the footplate. This will leave the foot plate attached to the roof but if often unseen from the ground and is safer than removing the entire set up.
This method eliminates the risk of damaging the roof and can also decrease the risk of a leak as the bolt from the roof is still there.
However, if you want the entire thing removed then you can do that by following the steps above.
Risks Of Removing A Satellite Dish
Whether you do the job yourself or hire a professional, there are still risks to removing a satellite dish:
Leaks are the biggest risk when removing a satellite dish. Once you remove the footplate there will be holes left in your roof from the bolts that were needed to attach it.
If these holes are not filled correctly you end up with leaks in your roof which can lead to an even bigger job and check.
If there are leaks which are not treated, you can end up experiencing the growth of black mold in your home. This is extremely dangerous and needs treatment immediately.
Final Thoughts
With streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime being the main method for catching up on our favorite shows, many homeowners are opting to get rid of their satellite dishes.
Whether you decide to push up your sleeves and do it yourself or hire a professional, you can easily get rid of your satellite dish that does nothing but ruin the look of your home.
Above are the steps to removing a satellite dish by yourself and we also answer the question of who to call to remove it professionally.
So, call a roofer or handyman to get that eye sore of a satellite dish removed without causing damage to your home!
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