I get the appeal of retrofit collars, especially when you’re trying to avoid a bigger project. But I’ve seen too many of those silicone collars start to break down after a couple Midwest winters—UV and ice just chew them up. Maybe it’s just bad luck, but I’ve had better long-term luck with full boot replacements, even if it means pulling a few shingles. It’s more work upfront, but less patching and re-sealing later. Guess it depends how long you want to stretch the roof’s life...
I get what you’re saying about the retrofit collars. I tried one of those “quick fix” silicone sleeves last fall because I didn’t want to mess with the shingles (plus, I’m not exactly handy on a ladder). Looked fine at first, but by spring the thing was already cracking and pulling away.
That’s exactly what happened here in Wisconsin. Next time, I’ll probably just bite the bullet and do a full boot—even if it means a little more hassle now.“UV and ice just chew them up.”
Those sleeves are tempting, but yeah, Wisconsin winters are brutal on anything rubbery or plastic. I did the same shortcut a couple years back—didn’t even make it through one freeze-thaw cycle before it started leaking. Full boot is a pain, but it actually lasts.
Full boots are definitely more work, but I’ve seen way too many sleeves fail around here once the temps start swinging. Wisconsin winters just chew up those “quick fix” sleeves—especially the cheaper ones. I get why folks try them, though. Sometimes you just want to get through another season without tearing into shingles or dealing with a full replacement.
But honestly, every time I’ve tried to shortcut it, I end up back on the roof in spring anyway, patching leaks or swapping out the sleeve again. The freeze-thaw cycles just split the rubber or warp the plastic, and then water finds its way in. Once that happens, it’s not just the boot—you’re looking at possible decking damage or even mold if it goes unnoticed.
Full boots are a pain, no doubt. Cutting shingles, making sure everything’s sealed up right... it’s not a quick job. But I’ve got some that have held up 10+ years, even with all the snow and ice we get. If you’re already up there and have the tools, it’s worth doing right. The only exception I’ve seen is on metal roofs—sometimes those sleeves last a bit longer since there’s less movement, but even then, it’s hit or miss.
One thing I’d add: if you do go with a full boot, spend a few extra bucks for a good one. The cheap ones from big box stores don’t hold up much better than sleeves in my experience. And if you’re not comfortable messing with shingles, sometimes it’s worth calling someone in—seen too many DIY jobs where folks accidentally create more problems than they solve.
Just my two cents from crawling around a lot of cold roofs over the years...
