When something is not quite right on a home inspection—-it usually just does not “feel” right. When I went up on this roof, the following “defect” looked so “normal” that it did NOT jump right out at me. That surprised me because usually when something is wrong—-that is exactly what happens—-it sticks out like a zit on a beauty queens nose.
The Dish Antenna was so nicely clamped to the pipe it seemed like the pipe coming through the roof had been put there for the sole purpose of supporting the antenna. Then I got to thinking—-so where is any rain water that enters the pipe going to end up?
Oh yes—the sewer!
This is the infamous combination sewer vent/antenna holder.
I guess it looks funny after all—-but probably better than the usual bolting of the dish right to the roof surface.
By Charles Buell, Real Estate Inspections in Seattle
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Haven’t seen this before, Charles, however it appears that the dish attachment is reducing the nominal size of the vent. I would have to recommend repair to re-locate dish to separate attachment
Guy, for sure—and I did recommend removal. As far as blocking the vent, it most likely does not affect it too much as the dish pipe is also hollow and open. It probably does not block it any more than a counterflashing on a lead pipe flashing would.
This is standard practice in the SF Bay Area. That’s not a homeowner install. Every Dish/Direct TV installer has those brackets in his truck. I have never seen any problems with it (including on my own house, located in an area where we get high winds in the Spring) and I would not even comment on it.
Roger, so you are saying they are using the plumbing vent pipes as a place to install the antennas as a routine way to do it in your area?
I like it. Multitasking and fewer holes in the roof. I might suggest using the 4″ pipe so as not to restrict the air flow too greatly.
Glenn, that was sort of my response to it as well. The reality is that the pipe of the dish is hollow too—so likely not much restriction as far as the function of the vent goes. Whether the thing would amount to a functional lightning rod is another question 🙂