The Little Things That Protect Your Roof From Leaks

By Karen L. Edwards. 

Tried-and-true, this pipe collar will last the length of the roofing system and your homeowner won’t have a leaky roof. 

When it comes to protecting a roof, it can be easy to overlook the details that make up the entire roofing system. Asphalt shingles may have a 25 – 30-year longevity, but most water leaks are due to pipe collar failures, not shingle deterioration. Many times, this is the result of poor design or the quality of the materials. 

W.R. ‘Bill’ Merrin was a roofing contractor who saw firsthand the failures of traditional pipe collars as well as mastics and tapes. He knew that there had to be a better solution but could not find one. So, he did what most craftsmen do when they are tackling a problem, he developed his own solution.  Bill started Wil-Mar Products where he invented and patented The Pipe Collar, an EPDM rubber collar that slides down over the vent to form a watertight seal that is guaranteed to last the life of the roof. 

That was nearly 30 years ago and feedback from contractors has been great. They really like that the collars are made from EPDM which keeps them from deteriorating and cracking. We have heard from some contractors that they are stocking their service trucks with The Pipe Collar because so many of their service calls are related to pipe collar failures. Having a reliable replacement option in the truck provides a quick fix for the problem and a fix that contractors know will perform and last for the remaining life of the roof. 

Available in six different sizes and selling for just a couple of dollars each, this is an item that you can’t afford not to have in your service toolboxes. They are available by the case, ranging from 100 to 500 in each case (varies based on size of the collar) so a few cases are all you need to outfit your crews with this easy-to-install, flexible and powerful watertight collar.  If you don’t think you need a case, lesser quantities are also available – just ask! 

Visit Wil-Mar Products’ RCS directory to learn about all of their solutions and find out how to order. While you’re there, request your free sample and see what you think!