Pipe Collars – Andrews Roofing

Start the new year out right by checking a few important items off your home-maintenance to-do list.

Just like setting personal resolutions at the first of the year, resolving to take better care of your home, and especially your roof, is an investment that pays off all year long.

In Hampton Roads (HRVA), roofs face a unique combination of challenges: coastal humidity, salt air, heavy rain, high winds, summer heat, and the occasional winter freeze. Seasonal maintenance helps homeowners catch small issues early, protect their roofing system, and extend the life of their roof.

We’ve broken down your annual roof care into seasonal, home-owner safe checklists to make these tasks manageable and effective – without ever having to climb on the roof!

Winter: Monitor & Protect

While winter doesn’t usually bring heavy snow to Southeast Virginia, cold snaps, fluctuating temperatures and freezing rain can still cause issues.

Winter Maintenance Checklist

Watch for interior warning signs: Keep an eye out for water stains on ceilings or walls, peeling paint or unexplained humidity in certain rooms or areas.
Check attic moisture levels: Condensation or frost inside your attic may indicate ventilation problems, which could be fixed just by shifting insulation.
Monitor roof edges: Heavy icicles or uneven melting can signal insulation or airflow issues from the inside.
Avoid walking on the roof! Use a roof rake from the ground if necessary, never climb on icy surfaces.

Why it matters to HRVA: Our inconsistent winter temperatures can cause freeze-thaw cycles that even when brief can make existing cracks worse or create gaps around flashing.

Spring: Reset After Winter Weather

Even mild winters can leave behind hidden wear and tear, especially after wind events and fluctuating temperatures.

Spring Maintenance Checklist

Do a ground-level roof inspection: Look for missing, curling, or cracked shingles as well as visible damage around chimneys, vents, and flashing. Do a visual inspection to see if any sections of gutters have pulled away from the roofline and ensure all gutter downspouts are still securely attached.
Clean gutters and downspouts: Remove leaves, pine needles, and debris and ensure downspouts are directing water well away from your foundation.
Inspect attic ventilation: Look for moisture, condensation, or mildew and make sure soffit and ridge vents aren’t blocked by insulation.
Trim back trees and branches: Prevent damage caused by overgrown or loose limbs and reduce debris buildup during spring storms.

Why it matters to HRVA: Spring rains are frequent, and clogged gutters or compromised flashing can quickly lead to leaks if winter damage isn’t addressed.

Summer: Manage Heat, Humidity & Storm Exposure

Southeast Virginia summers bring intense heat, high humidity, and sudden thunderstorms – all of which put stress on roofing systems.

Summer Maintenance Checklist

Check attic insulation: Look for compressed, displaced, or damp insulation. Uneven insulation can trap heat and drive-up energy costs.
Monitor attic temperatures: Excessive heat may indicate poor ventilation – upper floors that feel noticeably hotter can be a warning sign.
Inspect roof for gaps: From the ground, check vent boots and flashing for cracking or separation.
After storms, perform visual checks: Look for new debris, shingle movement, or granules collecting near downspouts, which could signal shingle deterioration.

Why it matters to HRVA: High heat accelerates shingle aging, while humidity and poor ventilation can lead to moisture problems inside the attic—especially in older homes.

Fall: Clear, Seal & Prepare for Cooler Weather

Fall is one of the most important seasons for roof maintenance—and one of the best times to address minor issues, when the temperatures are more forgiving.

Fall Maintenance Checklist

Thoroughly clean gutters: Falling leaves can quickly cause blockages and backed-up gutters can lead to fascia damage and interior leaks.
Inspect flashing and seals: Pay special attention to chimneys, skylights, and vent pipes. Any loose flashing or separating seals are bound to invite issues when the winter temperature fluctuations start.
Check attic air sealing: Look and feel for drafts around attic hatches or recessed lighting. Drafty air or increased temperatures may indicate the need for insulation replacement or better sealing.
Schedule a professional roof inspection: Fall is ideal for preventative maintenance before winter weather arrives.

Why it matters to HRVA: Fall storms and lingering humidity mean small vulnerabilities can worsen quickly if left unattended.

Resolve to Protect Your Home

Resolving to care for your roof season by season is one of the smartest and easiest ways to protect your home’s structure, comfort, and value. Routine visual checks and preventative maintenance can help extend the life of your roof, reduce emergency repairs, and identify issues before they become costly problems.

Andrews Roofing is here for every season.

If your seasonal checklist reveals concerns, or if you’d simply like an expert set of eyes on your roof, Andrews Roofing offers professional inspections and maintenance services throughout the Tidewater region. Our team understands the unique demands of the local climate and can help keep your roofing system performing its best year after year. Contact us today!

One of the most common sources of roof leaks is probably something you never think about: pipe collars.

Take a look at your roof and you’ll notice a few small pipes sticking up in seemingly random areas. These pipes are what make it possible for your sinks, tubs and toilets to drain or flush. All of those fixtures require a single or shared pipe to exit the roof, which allows the intake of air that enables them to drain or flush. Think about a gas can and how it’s only possible to have an unrestricted flow if a secondary air valve is open. These vents, which are actually truly air intake pipes, are generally made of PVC and can range in size from 1 ¼” to 4.”

Each of these pipes passes through a pipe collar (sometimes also called pipe flashing, roof jacks or pipe boots) at the point where it exits your roof. This flashing should integrate under and over your roofing materials, creating a watertight seal. In addition to being able to withstand moisture, they must also be able to withstand heat, sun, wind, snow and ice.

By far, though, the biggest demands on pipe collars are the sun and changing temperatures. Seasonal and even daily temperature changes can cause the PVC pipe itself to move dramatically up and down as the plastic expands and contracts. Depending on the material of the pipe collar, this can cause cracking and gaps that allow water in.

Pipe Collars that need to be replaced!

Newly installed Pipe Collars

Most pipe collars can only be expected to last 7-12 years at most before running into some type of failure. Older styles use a rubber gasket that will often dry rot, crack and deteriorate. But even metal pipe collars can fail over time, especially if exposed to extreme weather. And considering that this is probably something very low on your home maintenance list, it’s likely that any problem your pipe collars run into will only come to your attention when a leak appears, at which point damage has been done to more than just the collar. The good news is that there is a way to avoid this.

Using a higher quality pipe collar material can eliminate the need for maintenance and threat of leakage. At Andrews Roofing we use a pipe collar product called The Ultimate Pipe Flashing ® for shingle roof installations and reroofing projects. This product is made by Lifetime Tool & Building Products in the USA from ultra-pure silicon and marine grade stainless steel, which means it’s virtually weather proof. This product is flexible to accommodate just about any roof slope. It’s also guaranteed for the life of your roof when properly installed by a licensed roofing contractor.

While this may seem like a small detail in the grand scheme of your home’s roof, it’s actually a really critical component in keeping your roof and interior fixtures functional and protected. Investing a little bit more in higher quality materials can save you thousands of dollars in the long run when a leak occurs from premature product deterioration.

If you think your vent pipe collars may need replacing or have noticed the signs of roof leakage, contact Andrews Roofing today. We have been helping homeowners in the Hampton Roads region protect and repair their homes for over 25 years. We have the experience and knowledge to help you choose the right products for your home and your budget, and we work with the best manufacturers in the industry to provide you with materials that will last.

Category: Pipe Collars

Resolve to Protect Your Home with a Seasonal Maintenance Checklist