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1-805-557-1225
Roof Waterproofing Made Simple

If We Made Waterproofing Any Easier, It Would Be Embarrassing.


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"We use them for residential electrical jacks. They work great, quick to install, fit good and look right. Thanks!"
~Bret Martin

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"The Collars have corrected the issue we had with all of our square tube steel columns. We have been very pleased and I have recommended this product to many colleagues."
~Ryan Freeman
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

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"Your products rock!"
Joe Daniels
D7 Roof Consulting, Inc.

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"I put on the Retro-Split Collar last Saturday and it worked perfectly. I covered the original flashing with fresh caulking so it was ok for the Retro-Split Collar. It's a good product and I would recommend it to anyone doing retrofitting. Thanks again for the email and follow-up phone call. I appreciate the good customer service."
~Jack Cartee
Stanwood, WA

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"A very effective and economical solution for waterproofing multiple pipes penetrating
the roof.
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~Dr. H. Laaly, CPRC/RRC
Author of "The Science & Technology of Traditional & Modern Roofing Systems"

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"The Retro-Spin Storm Collars provided complete waterproofing for a very complex series of roof-top screening supports."
~Ron Carter
RNC Enteprises
St. Louis, MO

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Home > Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are questions that you may have about our waterproofing roof products. In the event you have a question that is not answered here, please feel free to email (allstyle@spinflashing.com) or call us (805-557-1225), so that we can help you.

Your storm collars do not "lock" onto the roof's structure. Why is it important for the system not to lock onto the roof's structure?

That is a good question to ask. The answer is based on the amount of stress that develops when a structure or building moves in relation to the penetration.  Since the penetration is not part of the structure, it will move at a different rate, and can even move in a different direction.  The amount of stress that is developed on a fixed point can be tremendous, measured in thousands of pounds per square inch. With this type of stress, something has to give. Either the penetration, roof or seal will fail. An example is a pitch pocket. The pockets encase and hold onto the penetration in asphalt, cement or both.  Even a relatively small movement such as heat during the day will create so much stress that the “glue” holding onto the penetration will give way.  This is now a leak.  A lot of roofers don’t realize how much a roof moves each day. On a typical roof the manufacturer's published expansion coefficients equal 2% (some are 4%) of the roof area.  On a 100 foot roof (100 feet x 12 inches = 1200 inches), this mean the amount of movement each day can meet or exceed 24 inches of movement between the coolest and the warmest time of day.  Since the roof will keep expanding and pushing until it reaches the 24 inch growth rate, the stress on everything attached to the roof covering will be under extreme amounts of pressure or stress. This is called slow growth stress while an earthquake is immediate and super strong.
 
After the 1994 earthquake in Northridge California, we spent many days repairing flashings that had pulled completely out of the roof. 'Exploded' is even a word we can use for these roof failures.  The roof just snaps under the stress.
 
If the penetration and the roof are not connected, and the movement takes place, nothing hurts the seal or the roof.  When the movement stops, or the or the temperature cools, there is nothing to repair because of the wiggle room created by the loose fit.

How long have your waterproofing products been in use?

Our first product, the Standard Storm Collar, was designed to waterproof the three hole line sets from HVAC penetrations. The first of these was installed in 1995. Our Retro-Split Collar was used in installations beginning in 2001, and our Retro-Spin Flashing had its first application in 2004.

Can your waterproofing products be used on metal roofs?

Yes, the Retro-Spin Flashing is an ideal choice for installing a flashing on typical roof penetrations including standard vent pipes up to 2 7/8” O.D. Additionally, our Retro-Spin Flashing can be painted to match the roof it is installed on.

I have a re-roofing project that will begin immediately. Where and how soon can I get your waterproofing products? Are they immediately available or do they need to be special ordered?

All of our products are sold at roofing supply houses and distributors nationwide. They are also available online. More and more roofing supply houses are offering our waterproofing products to their customers. We also have several stocking distributors located throughout the United States. However, if you do not have a distributor near you, you can order from one of our online distributors. If all else fails, email us (allstyle@spinflashing.com) or call us (805-557-1225).

I have a roof with a penetration that needs to be waterproofed, and your product would work great for this. However, you do not offer the shape I need. Can you custom make a shape for me?

The Retro-Spin Flashing is available for penetrations up to 3 inches in diameter. Retro-Split Collars are available in three sizes which waterproof diameters up to and including 12 inches. This range of sizes can accomodate penetrations with any geometric shape that can fit inside 3, 6 or 12- inch diameters. In the event a non-round shape is required, please call for custom requests.

Can I paint your storm collars and flashing to match my roof?

The metal Retro-Spin Flashing can be painted. We do not recommend painting EPDM Rubber parts, however, these can be made in a variety of colored rubber such as white, blue and green. Our white collars have proven to be very popular.

Why would I use your Storm Collars when I can use pitch pockets?

There are several reasons for using our Collars instead of pitch pockets. A well-made pitch pocket is not practical or cheap. It needs to be site-fabricated and installed. Fixed penetrations require field installation and soldering and with high labor costs and the potential for poor workmanship, this is not a practical solution. Decent pitch pocket fillers require a fast curing cement, and a top coat of a two-part polymer sealer. These products are not cheap, and require installation time. Finally, when finished, you still have a pitch pocket, which the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) technical specifications and drawings show covered over with a good quality Storm Collar. Therefore, save yourself the time and expense by using a Storm Collar over a Retro-Spin or Standard Flashing.

In the event an old pitch pocket leaks, a smart repair can be done by installing one of our Retro-Split Collars over the top of the pocket, covering it over just as it is shown in the NRCA manual.

The HARK (Handbook of Approved Roofing Knowledge) does not recommend the use of pitch pockets because they leak. Additionally the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) states that "Pitch pockets or pans, by their design, are not intended to be continuously watertight. Their use should not be encouraged since better methods are available to accomplish the same end. Pitch pans or pockets require frequent inspection and maintenance, and usually a great deal of damage can occur before the leak around a pitch pocket or pan is evident." In the long run, a pitch pocket will cost you more money due to fabrication and installation costs, and the time it takes to go out on maintenance or leaking roof calls.

As a roofing contractor, I have found that HVAC penetrations generally leak. How do your line set storm collars work?

After studying the leaks that originated from HVAC penetrations, it became obvious that the only way to stop water from leaking inside the insulation and between the tubes was to isolate the individual lines and seal them separately. Our EPDM Storm Collars have a hole for each penetration. Each hole has a nipple, and a clamp secures the nipples onto the individual roof penetration tubes. Our Collars create a dam that water can't flow past, so the water stays on the roof. They counter flash any roof jacket without creating a mechanical connection to the roof. This allows for movement of the penetration, which can occur from seismic events or heat-related expansion and contraction. Finally, if the roof flashing jack is configured with an 8 to 10 inch rise, then there is no need to install roof curbs in order to meet the National Roofing Contractor Association's (NRCA) height standards. Storm Collars can seal many different multi-pipe roof penetrations and do it better than any other system on the market today, and at an affordable price.

Why do you use EPDM rubber on your Collars?

Our Collars are made in the United States from first quality, non-recycled E.P.D.M. rubber that is exceptionally resistant to heat, ozone and acid rain environments. For long life of 20 years, no plastic resin materials are acceptable on any part of our Collar assemblies.

Do you guarantee your products?

ALL STYLE roof accessories are guaraneed for twenty (20) years. If any ALL STYLE roof accessory ever fails, return it to ALL STYLE for free repair or replacement. Learn more »

Why would I use the Retro-Spin Flashing Kit when I can just cut a flashing, put it around a pipe and mastic the cut?

Our Retro-Spin Flashing Kit is a system that allows for the quick and easy installation of a brand new, durable, fully waterproofed and visually attractive roof flashing around all types of roof penetrations, without having to disconnect a service stack, or take apart a permanent attachment. The alternative is a site-fabricated, unattractive, gooped-in-place cut flashing which will cost plenty with leak and repair callbacks.

Until now there has been no easy way to replace the flashing on penetrations such as the electric service mast, because flashings don't open up and are installed over the top of a pipe. To get a new flashing installed the old way, the electric service for the entire house would need to be turned off for a day or so. However, with the Retro-Spin Flashing, simply spin it on around the pipe and spin it closed. All you'll need is a hammer and nails. It's that simple. The electricity doesn't need to be turned off and you won't have to worry about callbacks.

Roofing professionals have an opportunity to upsell the customer with an easy way to replace all their old flashings which may cause problems down the line. Show the customer how the Retro-Spin Flashing operates. Explain that it is your normal practice to do high quality roofing, and that includes replacing all of the pipe and vent flashings on a job.

Installing roofs professionally with high quality and innovative products allows the roofing contractor to spend less time and accrue higher profits from each job. A smart contractor will offer his customer options to improve his or her roof. Sales options add value to the job through their higher margins. A Retro-Spin Flashing Kit is the classic value-added product. Simply offer one on every job that needs one, have a happier customer and increase your profits. The Retro-Spin Flashing is both visually attractive and operationally effective. The end result is an attractive roof that is completely waterproofed, providing a win for you and a win for the customer.

Contact a distributor today »

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