Pipe collars: Small in size, big in benefits

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Overlooked and overexposed, faulty pipe collars drive costly leaks, but prevention is simpler than you think. 

When a residential or commercial roof begins to leak, many homeowners assume shingles are to blame. But seasoned roofing professionals like those at Wil-Mar Products Inc. know better. In many cases, the source of the leak is far more discreet: the pipe collar. 

Pipe collars, which seal plumbing vents that penetrate through roofing materials, often wear out long before the rest of the roof does. And when they fail, they can allow water to infiltrate the roof structure causing rot, mold and in extreme cases, full roof replacements. 

“Pipe collar failures are the number one suspect when it comes to water infiltration,” roofing veteran W.R. “Bill” Merrin said in a blog for Wil-Mar Products. Bill, frustrated by conventional collars’ short lifespan, invented an alternative nearly 30 years ago. His solution? A flexible, durable EPDM rubber collar that forms a watertight seal around vent pipes and lasts as long as the roof. 

Why do traditional collars fail? The culprits are well known in the industry: ultraviolet (UV) degradation, poor installation and subpar materials. Unlike asphalt shingles, which can last up to 30 years, standard collars often crack and shrink in less than half that time. When exposed to UV rays, heat and freeze-thaw cycles, weak collars deteriorate quickly, especially if installed without care. 

Fall is prime time to catch these issues before winter does its worst. Routine inspections can identify vulnerable flashings, rusted components and degrading collars. These simple inspections not only protect homes but also offer contractors dependable seasonal revenue. 

Tom Truelson, president of Ohio-based 1st Choice Roofing, shared that his team now relies on Wil-Mar collars as permanent fixes. “That is what we thought would happen with these, but they performed so well that they ended up being the permanent repair on the first visit,” Tom said. 

EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber stands out for its resistance to UV damage, extreme temperatures and ozone exposure. It also meets ASTM standards for weatherability and tensile strength, offering reliable long-term performance. 

For contractors, keeping pipe collars in the truck has become standard. “They can spend three minutes on the roof instead of two hours,” Tom noted, praising the time-saving benefit of a durable, one-and-done solution. 

Regular fall inspections and high-quality pipe collar replacements like Wil-Mar’s can prevent minor wear from becoming major damage. And for homeowners and contractors alike, that means peace of mind and a lot less time spent under a leaking roof. 

Learn more about how Wil-Mar’s EPDM pipe collars can help you stop leaks before they start!