Ever had those rubber boots around vent pipes crack way sooner than expected?

- Definitely agree, install is half the battle. I’ve seen a lot of boots fail just because they weren’t seated right or got stretched too much around the pipe.
- Up here (cold winters, lots of snow), even the pricier “UV resistant” boots seem to get brittle after a few years. Sun and ice just chew them up.
- I’ve had some luck with the double collar setup, especially on shallow pitches where water tends to linger. It’s not pretty, but it does cut down on leaks and callbacks.
- Tried a few brands that claim 20+ year lifespans - never seen one actually make it that long in real conditions. Usually 5-7 years tops before cracks show up, sometimes less if there’s a lot of movement or shifting.
- One thing I’ve noticed: flashing quality matters too. If the metal base isn’t snug or gets bent during install, water finds its way in no matter what boot you use.
- At this point, I just tell folks to budget for replacements every so often. It’s frustrating, but seems like part of roof maintenance up north... unless someone’s found a miracle boot I haven’t heard about yet?

At this point, I just tell folks to budget for replacements every so often. It’s frustrating, but seems like part of roof maintenance up north... unless someone’s found a miracle boot I haven’t heard about yet?

I hear you on the frustration. Up here in Ontario, it’s much the same story - boots that are supposed to last a decade or more, but after five winters they’re brittle as old licorice. I used to think paying extra for those “UV resistant” ones was the answer, but honestly, the sun and freeze-thaw cycles seem to win no matter what.

One thing that’s helped me a bit (and it’s not exactly a miracle, but maybe a step in the right direction) is switching to silicone boots instead of rubber. They’re pricier up front, but I’ve noticed they don’t get nearly as stiff or crack as fast, even after a few brutal seasons. Not perfect, but better than the old black EPDM ones. I still check them every spring, especially around the base where snow piles up.

Totally agree with you about flashing quality too. I had a job last year where the boot itself was fine, but the flashing was bent during install and water wicked right underneath. Now I always double-check that everything’s seated tight and use a dab of eco-friendly sealant if it looks even a little off.

I’ve also tried the double collar trick you mentioned, mostly on low-slope roofs. It’s not pretty, but it does seem to outlast a single boot, especially where ice dams are an issue. For what it’s worth, I’ve started telling folks the same thing: plan for 5-7 years and treat it like changing the oil - just part of the deal if you want a dry attic.

Would love to hear if anyone’s had luck with any of those “lifetime” metal retrofit boots. I’ve seen them around, but haven’t tried one yet. The price tag’s a bit steep, but if it saves me crawling around on icy shingles every few years, it might be worth it.

Couldn’t agree more about the so-called “UV resistant” boots - marketing hype, if you ask me. I’ve replaced too many of those after just a few years in Manitoba, and it’s always the same: cracks right where the snow sits the longest. Silicone’s a step up, but even those aren’t invincible. I’ve actually installed a couple of those metal retrofit boots on older homes with persistent leaks. Pricey, yeah, but honestly, they’re solid. No more crawling around in March patching things up. If you’re already up there replacing boots every 5-7 years, that metal option starts to make sense.

Had a similar run-in with those “UV resistant” boots on a south-facing roof in Winnipeg - cracked within three winters. Tried a silicone one after that, but it got brittle anyway. Switched to metal last year. Not cheap, but honestly, no issues since. For our climate, I think it’s worth it.

Switched to metal last year. Not cheap, but honestly, no issues since. For our climate, I think it’s worth it.

I hear you on the metal - pricey up front, but after replacing two cracked boots in four years (both labeled “UV resistant,” too), I just couldn’t deal with another spring thaw leak. Did you find installing the metal ones tricky around existing shingles? Mine needed a bit of finesse to get them sealed right, but once done, it’s been smooth sailing. Kinda wild how fast those “UV” ones fail in prairie sun and cold snaps...