When Roof Pipe Collars Need to be Replaced

By Lauren White. 

When an old pipe collar is failing, follow these tips from the experts at Wil-Mar for successful replacement. 

Pipe collars help prevent leaks when placed around roof vent pipes. Unfortunately, they do not last forever and sometimes begin to deteriorate over time. When this happens, there are a few solutions that can help. Make sure you avoid leaky roofs by implementing the following solutions. 

W.R. “Bill” Merrin owned a roofing company based in California. Throughout the years he used mastic and tape around the pipes on roofs he installed.  However, he watched as these materials continued to break down, thus needing replacement. He decided to find a lasting solution and invented and patented the THE PIPE COLLAR in 1990. Made of a durable synthetic rubber, EPDM, the collar provides a waterproof counterflashing. And it just slides over the vent pipe, making it easy to install. 

“Pipe collars are one of the most important accessories on your roof, because they are direct entry points for water when they rot. If they are not inspected regularly the cost of water damage repair far exceeds the cost of fixing them,” Wil-Mar explains.   

Wil-Mar has suggested three different solutions to try when pipe collars go bad: 

The first is to replace the entire pipe collar with a brand new one. This can cause some problems though because the shingles that are around the pipe collar will need to be removed. This is necessary so the pipe collar flashing can be properly attached to the roof decking. Older and brittle roof shingles can create more work and prolong the process. These broken shingles will need to be replaced with new ones and chances are they won’t match the current roof color. 

Replacing the top lip of the pipe collar is the second solution, which is an easier fix than the first.  According to Wil-Mar, “They simply fit over your existing pipe collar and the new lip is caulked in place.” 

The final option is to use their new product. It slides over the pipe collar that is already there. “...The pipe section is then caulked and screwed in place over the existing pipe. This product has a no leak guarantee,” Wil-Mar reveals. 

Pipe collars that are adequately maintained and are not worn can help prevent moisture from leaking through, thus causing the wood underneath to rot, and in some cases requiring a total roof replacement. Regular inspection and prompt repair of roof pipe collars that are no longer serving their purpose, using one of the three methods mentioned above, will help prevent water damage and eliminate the need to re-roof.   

Get your free pipe collar, and watch the video.