- I’ve wondered the same about those “lifetime” boots—are they just thicker, or is there some magic material?
- My last set (mid-grade rubber) cracked right at the flex point after 8 years, mostly from UV and ice buildup.
- I tried caulking around the base once, but it seemed to trap water under the flashing when snow melted. Ended up with a small leak.
- Anyone ever try those retrofit collars that slip over old boots? Curious if they’re a decent stopgap or just a band-aid.
- For me, climbing up every 10 years isn’t a dealbreaker, but I’d love to know if anyone’s actually gotten 20+ years out of those pricier boots in a cold climate.
Anyone ever try those retrofit collars that slip over old boots? Curious if they’re a decent stopgap or just a band-aid.
I've installed a few of those retrofit collars for clients who weren't ready to replace the whole boot. They do buy you some time, especially if the original boot is just starting to crack, but I wouldn't call them a long-term fix. Water can still find its way in if the underlying boot is really degraded or if ice dams form. As for "lifetime" boots, most of the ones I've seen use silicone or EPDM rubber, which holds up better than standard rubber, but nothing's truly maintenance-free—UV and freeze/thaw cycles eventually win. Haven't seen any last 20+ years in our climate, honestly.
Retrofit collars are kind of like duct tape for your roof—handy in a pinch, but you’re still on borrowed time. I’ve slapped a couple on my own place when winter hit early and the old boots started splitting. They held up through some rain, but once we got a real freeze-thaw cycle, water snuck in around the edges. I agree about the “lifetime” boots too—EPDM’s solid, but nothing’s immune to sun and ice year after year. If you want peace of mind, full replacement’s the way to go... but I get not wanting to rip into shingles every few years.
If you want peace of mind, full replacement’s the way to go... but I get not wanting to rip into shingles every few years.
I hear you on the hassle, but I’ve seen a lot of folks overdo it with full replacements when a well-installed retrofit collar can actually buy more time than expected—especially if you use a high-quality sealant and check for proper fit. Not saying it’s a forever fix, but in moderate climates, I’ve seen them hold up surprisingly well for several seasons. Sometimes the “rip it all out” approach isn’t always necessary unless there’s underlying damage or chronic leaks. Curious if anyone’s tried the newer silicone collars? They seem promising on paper, just haven’t seen enough long-term results yet.
