300-350 lbs of Dead Weight On Roof?

Hello Neighbors! In my quest to get DirecTV with a lack of suitable anchors for the dish (and not interested in drilling into the roof), the installers have suggested a “no-pin” mount. As I can tell, it’s platform placed flat on the roof (let’s say 8×8?), secured and stabilized by 6-8 cinder blocks. Total weight, including the dish itself is purported to be 300 pounds. The building is c.1897, and there is no other dead weight on that portion of the roof (which is directly over my unit and accessible)- other side has a deck that sits on reinforcement beams. So… 1) Anybody have experience with one of these mounts and can better attest to the total weight? 2) Assuming a weight of 300-350 lbs, would I be foolish to think the roof could sustain it without a problem (major or minor_? Thanks!

gentrificator

in Brownstoner Renovation 10 years and 11 months ago

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Townie | 10 years and 11 months ago

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Not sure if it is up to code but NY state Lotto folks use the setup for their rooftop dishes. The metal frame sits on the roof and the concrete pavers fit into the frame to prevent it from blowing of in a storm. Might ask them to place an additional layer of roofing membrane under the frame for added protection.

gentrificator | 10 years and 11 months ago

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Ahh- gotcha… I don’t think the parapets have enough height though to cut pockets into. If they did, I could just have the dish installed right into that cement and not even worry about the beam, right? Again, thanks for your input- I’m a novice on such matters…

brucef | 10 years and 11 months ago

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Gent, You don’t need to cross across the building. You need a 5-6′ channel to cross the diagonal in a corner. No crane, just carry it up the stairs. CHop pockets in the parapets, cement , and coat/weatherproof your patches.

gentrificator | 10 years and 11 months ago

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Thanks all for taking the time to reply! @johnife- the chimney isn’t an option, as the deck on one side sort of surrounds it, and then the signal would be partially blocked by the top of the duplex anyway. @brucef- thanks for the knowledge and insights. How is the beam installed? I’m thinking that the portion of roof I’m talking about is 24×50 ft or so, so that’d be a pretty big beam- are they typically dropped on by crane (forgive me, I have no concept)? Either way, any ballpark cost for it with installation? The building next door has what I think are these types of beams running the width of the building and are used to hold the ACs.

brucef | 10 years and 11 months ago

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I believe your estimate of 300 lbs is too low. The blocks (cement blocks, not “cinder”) either weigh a lot more, or wouldn’t weigh enough. Your roof surface is engineered to shed water, not support ANYTHING. I suspect your idea would violate building code. We are required to install any equipment on the roof on iron dunnage. Their reasoning, and those of you who have read my posts in the past know that I often question what the DOB calls “reasoning”, but in this case I agree. In the case of a fire, your wood roof could burn, and firemen have enough problems saving lives, without cement blocks falling through the air when the roof “gives”. I would recommend the dunnage concept, go diagonally across the parapet at a corner. A small length of steel (available at Raneiri’s or many iron shops) could be cemented that could easily anchor a satellite dish.

daveinbedstuy | 10 years and 11 months ago

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That’s less than 2 men standing there. Plus it’s spread among the various mounts.

johnife | 10 years and 11 months ago

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Had you thought of a chimney mount? When I had my roof completely redone I was determined not to pierce the assembly by putting the dish in its original location and bought a sturdy chimney mount (straps all the way round the chimney) and installed the dish on it myself, needing the DirecTV technician to come only to aim the dish at the satellite. From what I read, some installers (they’re really subcontractors to DirecTV) simply refuse to use chimney mounts; that’s why I put it up myself.