Satellite TV/Dish Maintenance and Care

By: Jason Petrina



While most of us do not frequently think of it, in order for to receive the best reception and programming possible from our satellite dishes, it is necessary to observe some routine maintenance and care. This is particularly true if you live in an area of the country in which you experience extreme seasonal weather; such as snow and ice.

One of the most important maintenance tips you should keep in mind regarding your Satellite TV dish is that if you place your dish near an area of your lawn in which shrubbery is located nearby, you need to make a point to trim it back at least annually. This will prevent any wayward leaves or branches from obstructing the ability of your dish to obtain a signal.

If you live in an area where you experience heavy amounts of snow and sleet, it’s definitely worth the effort to apply a de-icing product on your satellite prior to the beginning of heavy winter weather. Application of such a product will provide two major benefits. It will prevent ice and snow from sticking to your satellite dish and possibly damaging it while it will also prevent the obstruction of a signal due to the heavy weight of the snow and ice.

Beyond applying a de-icing agent to your dish, you can also protect it by placing a cover that is specially designed for satellite dishes over it to provide protection from ice, snow and other winter climate elements. There are a wide variety of covers on the market, ranging from models that actually act as a camouflage to cover up an unsightly satellite dish to attractive fabric covers. Camouflage models come in varieties to disguise the satellite dish as anything from a large boulder to shrubbery. Fabric covers can also be customized to the color of choice of the consumer and can even be embroidered to promote a favorite sports team. Camouflage covers begin at around $69 for models designed to act as shrubbery cover while models that take on the appearance of a large rock begin at around $270. Fabric covers are an affordable option, beginning at approximately $29, while customized covers run around $59.

You should also make a point to inspect your cable at least once a year. Any cracks or bad connections in your cable can lead to poor picture quality and the possibility of signal loss. One of the most frequent problems with the cable leading to your satellite dish is the amount of exposure to water that it receives. The best way to protect your cable in order to insure that you continue to enjoy your satellite dish year round is to take the time to waterproof it with one of the many sealant products on the market manufactured for this specific purpose.

If you live in an area that is prone to high winds in order to insure that you continue to receive the best signal possible. When way to handle this is to notch the position on the pole at which your dish needs to reside in order to receive the best signal. By using this method, if the winds do shift your dish somewhat; you will be able to put it back in the right position as quickly as possible.

Finally, don’t forget to tighten the bolts on your dish once every few months and wash off any debris or grime that may accumulate on your dish every so often. Cleaning your dish occasionally won’t hurt it, but it will ensure that you continue to receive a great signal.



Jason Petrina is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com