RV Roof Antenna, Satellite and Cable Entry Leaks

TV antennas, satellite dishes, and the cable entry plates that feed them are easy to forget once they work. But every one of them is a set of holes in your roof: screw holes for the mount, and a larger hole where the cables pass inside. When the sealant around those spots dries out in the Las Vegas sun, water can get in and travel a long way before you see it. Here is where these leaks start, what to check, and when to bring the coach to a shop.

Why antennas and cable entries leak

Look at any rooftop antenna installation guide and you will see how much depends on sealant. Winegard's installation manuals, for example, call for:

• Sealant under the mount. For its roof mount kit, Winegard says to put approved sealant on the marked spots for the base feet, set the feet on top, and then seal around the edge of each foot and over the screws.
• A sealed outline under larger bases. For its automatic multi-satellite antenna, the manual says to run a solid line of approved sealant in the shape of the base to keep water out of the mount base, and warns that the unit will fail due to corrosion if this step is skipped.
• A sealed cable entry plate. The cables pass through a hole drilled in the roof, then a cable entry plate goes over the hole and is screwed down. Winegard says to seal the plate and screw holes with approved sealant.

That makes three types of leak points on one install: the mount screws, the base edge, and the cable entry plate. Each one ages with sun, heat, and the flexing of the roof as you drive.

Where to look

• Mount feet or base edges. Cracked, shrunken, or missing sealant around the edges, or screw heads with no sealant over them.
• Cable entry plates. Gaps under the plate edge, lifted corners, or exposed screws. The spot where the cable passes through is a common gap.
• Loose cables on the roof. Winegard recommends securing the cable every 12 to 16 inches to stop unnecessary movement. A cable that flaps in the wind can work at the sealant where it enters the plate.
• Old holes from removed equipment. Coaches that have swapped an old antenna for a newer dish can have abandoned screw holes or plates. If they were not sealed properly, they leak like any other hole.
• Crank-up antenna bases. The base and its seal sit on the roof year round, even when the antenna is down.

Signs of a leak inside

• Water stains or soft ceiling panels near where the antenna or cables are mounted.
• Damp or musty cabinets where the cables run down to the TV or receiver.
• Stains around the antenna crank or wall plate inside the coach.
• Corrosion or moisture on connectors behind the TV or receiver.

If water is already coming in, our post on what to do if your RV roof leaks during a Las Vegas rain covers the first steps.

A safe check from a ladder

1. Pick a dry, calm day. Winegard tells installers to work in dry conditions only. The same goes for an inspection.
2. Set the ladder near the antenna or dish and look at the full edge of each mount foot or base.
3. Check every screw head for sealant coverage.
4. Follow the cable from the antenna to the entry plate and look for loose runs or missing clamps.
5. Look at the entry plate edges and where the cable goes through.
6. Check inside under the antenna and along the cable path to the TV.
7. Take photos of anything that looks off, so the shop can see what you saw.

Stay off the roof in wind, rain, or midday heat. If your roof is not rated for foot traffic, leave anything beyond a ladder check to a shop.

Adding or moving a dish

If you plan to install a new satellite dish or move an old antenna, follow the equipment maker's instructions and check with your RV maker for approved sealant and screw requirements, as Winegard's manuals advise. Winegard also notes that some antennas need a roller plate on rubber roofs so moving parts do not damage the roof. Every new hole is a new leak point, so plan the layout once rather than drilling twice.

For touch-ups, use the sealant your RV maker approves for your roof material. Our post on lap sealant vs silicone coating explains when a bead is enough and when a full system makes more sense.

How Sky Sealed handles antennas and cable entries

At our Las Vegas shop, an inspection covers the full roof: the membrane, seams, decking, and every penetration, including antenna mounts, dish bases, and cable entry plates. Prep includes cleaning, drying, and repairing soft spots or failed flashings before any coating goes on. Wet or damaged decking around a mount has to be dealt with first, not coated over.

Our fabric-reinforced silicone system embeds fabric at seams, vents, and penetrations, the high-stress spots where roofs move the most. Every job starts with a written quote based on your coach's length, condition, and the system chosen, and qualifying full systems come with a 20-year workmanship warranty, with terms in writing.

Want to know what a visit covers? Read what a shop RV roof inspection includes.

Frequently asked questions

Can a satellite dish cause an RV roof leak?

Yes. A dish is screwed to the roof, and its cables pass through a hole under a cable entry plate. If the sealant around the mount or the plate cracks or pulls away, water can get in.

How do I know if my antenna is leaking?

Look for stains or soft spots on the ceiling near the antenna, damp cabinets along the cable path, and cracked or missing sealant around the mount and entry plate from a ladder.

Should old antenna holes be sealed?

Yes. Any screw hole or opening left from removed equipment needs to be properly sealed or covered, or it can leak like any other penetration.

Does Sky Sealed come to my house or storage lot?

No. Sky Sealed works only in our shop at 4416 Alderbaren Ave in Las Vegas. There is no mobile crew.