Satellite Dishes on Flat Roofs

[Christine I.]

Do you allow satellite dishes on your apartment buildings? What is the safest way to secure these dishes to make sure there is no harm done to my flat roof? Do you follow up with tenants after they move to make sure their dishes are removed?

[Greg M.]

On a 20 unit building, there were 34 dishes on the roof. When we asked who had a dish, we found that only 4 units had active dishes. 

My favorite place someone had installed a dish was on the fire hose hookup. The amount of tape prevented it from being of use in a fire. Other people had dishes installed on top of vent pipes so the pipe was completely sealed. 

Ended up installing a metal rack so the dishes could be installed on it without damaging the roof. Cost a couple of hundred dollars, but will save many roof leaks.