Honestly, unless you’re really dreading the ladder work, keeping up with it saves headaches down the line.
You nailed it. I learned the hard way a few years back—skipped a spring check because I figured those “lifetime” boots would hold up, and ended up with a slow leak right above my bathroom. Didn’t even notice until there was a nice brown stain on the ceiling. By then, of course, the insulation was soaked too.
I’m in Ohio and the freeze-thaw is brutal here. EPDM has held up better for me than those “hail-resistant” ones too, but nothing seems invincible after a Midwest winter. Only thing I’d add: if you’ve got an older roof with brittle shingles, sometimes getting the boots swapped can be trickier. I’ve cracked a few shingles just trying to loosen things up—ended up patching more than I planned.
But yeah, 20-30 minutes twice a year is way easier than replacing drywall or chasing down mold later. Not glamorous work, but it pays off.
That freeze-thaw cycle is no joke. I’m in Michigan and it’s the same story—one day it’s sunny, next day you’re scraping ice off the gutters. I’ve had those “lifetime” boots too, and honestly, I think “lifetime” just means “until the next polar vortex.” Swapping them out isn’t my favorite chore, but after dealing with a soggy attic once, I’m not skipping it again. The brittle shingle thing is real though... I’ve snapped a couple just trying to get the old boot off. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth just biting the bullet and doing a partial re-roof when things start getting too dicey.
Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth just biting the bullet and doing a partial re-roof when things start getting too dicey.
I totally get that feeling. I’ve debated the same thing, but honestly, swapping out boots is way cheaper than even a small re-roof. I just take it slow—pry up the shingles gently, use a heat gun if it’s cold, and seal everything up after. It’s a pain, but it’s saved me from bigger headaches (and bills) so far.
I wrestled with this last fall when I noticed one of my vent boots was starting to crack. My roof’s only about 12 years old (asphalt shingles, Midwest winters), so a full re-roof felt like overkill. I ended up swapping the boot myself, and honestly, it wasn’t as intimidating as I thought.
Here’s how I did it: I waited for a warmer day so the shingles were flexible, then gently pried up the nails holding the old boot in place. Used a flat bar and took my time—didn’t want to tear anything. The new boot slid right over the pipe, and I tucked the flashing under the shingles above, then nailed it down and sealed everything with roofing caulk. Took maybe an hour, tops.
I get why people consider partial re-roofs, but if your shingles are still in decent shape, just replacing the boots seems way less hassle (and way cheaper). Plus, you can spot other issues while you’re up there. Only thing I’d say is don’t rush it—if you’re not comfortable on a ladder or roof, maybe call in a pro. But for me, it was worth doing myself.
I’ve swapped out a couple vent boots over the years—honestly, I’m always surprised how much those things crack before the shingles give out. Midwest winters here too, and the freeze-thaw just eats up the rubber. I get what you’re saying about it being manageable DIY, but I’ll admit, crawling around on a 7/12 pitch roof isn’t my favorite way to spend a Saturday. Still, way cheaper than calling someone out for a full repair. I do wonder if the newer silicone boots hold up any better in the long run...
