I get what you’re saying about vent boot patches, but honestly, I’ve had one last almost three years before it finally gave up. Maybe I just got lucky with mild winters? Still, I’d rather patch than replace right away if the budget’s tight.
I patched a vent boot last fall with some of that black goop and a piece of flashing, just hoping to get through the winter. It’s still holding up, but I keep checking it after every big rain. My inspector said it’s a gamble—sometimes you get a few years, sometimes just a season. I guess if you’re not seeing leaks or water stains inside, it’s worth stretching things out, especially if money’s tight. Still, I’m always half-expecting to find a surprise drip in the attic...
That black goop and a scrap of flashing is pretty much the classic “just get me through the season” move. I’ve done it myself more times than I can count, especially when you’re staring down a cold snap and the budget’s already stretched. Sometimes those patches surprise you and hold up for a while, other times you’re up in the attic with a flashlight after the first big storm, cursing under your breath.
One thing I’ve noticed—if you’re not seeing any stains or drips inside, and your attic insulation isn’t soggy, you’re probably okay for now. But vent boots are sneaky. I had one on my folks’ place that looked fine from the outside, but water was seeping under the shingles and running along the plywood before finally showing up as a soft spot in the ceiling months later. It’s not always obvious.
If you’re checking after every big rain, that’s about as much as anyone can do without tearing into things. Maybe just keep an eye on the area around the vent pipe for any signs of mold or musty smell in the attic. Sometimes you’ll catch a problem there before it shows up inside.
I get what your inspector’s saying about it being a gamble. Around here (Midwest), sometimes those repairs last a couple years if you’re lucky and we don’t get too much ice damming. Other times, one bad freeze-thaw cycle and it’s back to square one.
If money’s tight, stretching it out makes sense, but maybe start pricing out replacement boots or even just a new collar for when you do have to bite the bullet. They’re not crazy expensive if you can DIY, but getting up there is half the battle—especially if your roof’s steep or slick.
Anyway, as long as you’re not seeing water inside, I’d keep riding it out... but yeah, that feeling of waiting for a drip is all too familiar.
Those vent boots are always the wild card. I’ve seen ones that looked totally fine from the ground, but when you peel back a shingle, it’s a mess underneath. I get wanting to stretch things out, but in my experience, once you start seeing any hint of musty smell or discoloration in the attic, it goes downhill fast. If you’re comfortable up there and can swap out a boot yourself, it’s honestly not too bad—just awkward if your roof’s got some pitch. I’d rather deal with that on my own time than scramble after a leak during a storm.
I’d rather deal with that on my own time than scramble after a leak during a storm.
Totally get that. I’ve seen too many folks wait until the rain’s coming in sideways before they even check up there. Swapping out a vent boot isn’t glamorous, but it beats emergency buckets in the living room. Still, I’m always a little skeptical when things “look fine” from the ground—had a surprise rot patch once that cost me way more than just a new boot would’ve.
