Not Giving My Best?

I'm accused of not giving my best when I use ABS/Plastic Tower pipe collars instead of lead. I also offer Copper in case you're wondering, but I charge more since they're custom made. I double boot the plastic ones and expect 20 years, at which time a new cover could be slipped over the pipe if necessary.

I looked for a leak near this pipe collar on a 4-5 year old roof.

Must be wind damage. :) :woohoo:

DdubyaC Said: My problem all of a sudden about three years ago has been squirrels. Painting them with enamel has fixed that.

Double boot eh? Thats not a bad idea. More for my shingle roofs but not your 100yr beauties. Ive wondered if you could paint or coat the plastic boots with something reflective to get more life.

Like the others here, I spray the inside and outside of my collars with silacone and also spray the pipe so the act of stretching the rubber is less traumatic to the collar. :)

" I don't care for planned obsolescence when it is used on me so I have to apply the Golden Rule with it. I'm all in favor of Tinner's policy, but I'd be absolutely sure the homeowner grasped the full impact of the choice being offered." Different prices for each option and an explanation. Also the fact that slate roofs that don't have sleepers under the hips and ridges will need periodic re-pointing. During these 3-5 year inspections and maintenance, I find these toweer boots witht he tops sometimes splitting. I just recover the top with a new gasket and add a couple of dollars like I would a slate replacement. No need to ever find one leaking. Full disclosure each time.

A properly painted all steel jack with the material installed so it doesn't trap debris will last longer than any roof except slate unless it's getting constantly doused with corrosives. Having a plumbing jack that moves independently from the pipe is a must. You can make your own counterflash rings for any diameter pipe out of flat sheet in seconds if you have some templates on hand. I make my templates out of #15 felt so they store in any tiny space. One rivet or zip screw, two if you are feeling insecure. There is no reason to use neoprene or plastic on anything unless you just want a guaranteed cake-walk repair you can bill for in about ten years. I don't care for planned obsolescence when it is used on me so I have to apply the Golden Rule with it. I'm all in favor of Tinner's policy, but I'd be absolutely sure the homeowner grasped the full impact of the choice being offered.

I still stand by my advice to always use a counterflashing on lead pipes in the middle of a span. In fact, the easiest and best repair for this would be to cut off the foldover lead on top and add the counterflashing. Unless of course that sealant at the base was put there because the flashing weld had pulled apart. In which case could only mean two things. Either the rafters are settling or Virginia squirrels are on steroids.

copperman Said: there is no wind damage at all. All I see are teeth marks in the lead.

:) I was just being facetious. Squirrels ate it. They're terrible about it here. :lol:

tinner, do you ever work on any roofs that aren't steep and high? :dry:

there is no wind damage at all. All I see are teeth marks in the lead.

My problem all of a sudden about three years ago has been squirrels. Painting them with enamel has fixed that.

Double boot eh? Thats not a bad idea. More for my shingle roofs but not your 100yr beauties. I've wondered if you could paint or coat the plastic boots with something reflective to get more life.

I see it all the time.

Actually wind is a contributor. In that wind added to the slight movement of the rafters that caused the abrasion that cut the lead on the uphill side. add to that, the rafters have settled a half inch or so. A lead pipe flashing should never be folded over the pipe in the middle of a span. The top counterflashing should be used to make a slip joint. You can get away with folding a flashing if the pipe comes right up through a bearing wall, but not in a situation like this.

Wind or squirrels that are dying from lead poisoning.

Squirrels love lead pipe flashing's. I had them chew them all the time. They would even go after solder joints