Rubber’s fine if you like climbing up there every few years, but I’d rather be watching squirrels from the ground, not patching after ’em.
Couldn’t agree more. I swapped out my old rubber boots for silicone last year after getting tired of the “seasonal shuffle” up the ladder. The upfront cost was a bit higher, but honestly, it’s been worth it just not having to worry every spring. I still check for rust on the critter guards, but at least I’m not patching leaks all the time. If you’re trying to save a few bucks long-term, silicone’s a solid call.
I get the appeal of silicone boots—less maintenance, longer lifespan, and you’re not up there every year. But I’m not totally convinced it’s always the slam-dunk choice, especially if you’re in a milder climate or have an older roof that’s already on borrowed time.
For me, I’ve stuck with rubber boots on my 18-year-old asphalt shingle roof in the Midwest. They’re cheap, easy to swap out, and honestly, by the time they start cracking or pulling away, I’m usually due for some other minor repair up there anyway (usually thanks to wind or ice dams). I guess my thinking is: if my roof’s only got a few good years left, is it really worth dropping extra cash on silicone boots that’ll outlast the shingles? Plus, I’ve noticed that even silicone can get brittle after a decade of freeze-thaw cycles—maybe not as fast as rubber, but still.
One thing I do wonder about: has anyone had issues with silicone boots not sealing as well on older or uneven vent pipes? I had a neighbor mention his didn’t sit flush and he ended up with a slow leak anyway. Maybe that’s just a one-off, but it made me pause before switching.
I’m also curious if anyone’s tried those all-metal retrofit covers. They look bombproof but seem like overkill unless you’re re-roofing. At the end of the day, I guess it comes down to how much you want to invest in a roof that might be replaced soon anyway. For newer roofs or if you just hate ladders, silicone probably makes sense. For me, I’ll keep patching for now and save my money for the inevitable tear-off.
I hear you on the “is it worth it” question, especially with an older roof. I’ve been up on a lot of 15-20 year old shingle roofs where the vent boots are basically toast, but the shingles themselves are already curling or losing granules. In those cases, I usually tell folks to just go with a basic rubber boot or even a quick patch, unless they’re planning to keep the roof for another decade. No sense in putting a $40 silicone boot on a pipe when the shingles around it are one hailstorm away from the dumpster.
About silicone not sealing well on older or out-of-round pipes—yeah, I’ve seen that too. Some of those old cast iron stacks aren’t exactly straight anymore, and the silicone boots don’t always flex enough to get a tight seal. I had one job last fall where we tried a silicone boot on a pipe that was slightly oval and it just wouldn’t sit right, even with extra sealant. Ended up swapping it for an all-metal retrofit cover with a big rubber gasket, which did the trick but cost more than the boot itself.
Those metal retrofit covers are kind of my go-to for weird situations or when someone’s got a roof that’s going to be replaced in a couple years but still needs to make it through another winter. They’re not cheap, but they’ll usually outlast whatever’s left of the shingles and you can reuse them after a tear-off if you want. Overkill? Maybe, but sometimes peace of mind is worth it—especially if you’re tired of chasing leaks every spring.
Honestly, I think you’ve got the right idea patching things up until you’re ready for a full tear-off. Midwest winters are brutal on everything up there anyway. If you’re comfortable getting up there once in a while and keeping an eye on things, rubber boots and some good caulk can buy you plenty of time. Just watch for those sneaky slow leaks—they can rot out decking before you even notice.
Curious if anyone’s tried those “universal” boots that claim to fit any pipe shape? I’ve seen mixed results but haven’t used them much myself...
I’m with you on the metal retrofit covers—they’re not cheap, but when you’ve got an oddball pipe or a roof that’s limping along, they’re usually worth it. I’ve run into the same issue with silicone boots on out-of-round stacks, especially older cast iron. Sometimes you just can’t get a reliable seal, no matter how much caulk you throw at it. As for those “universal” boots, I’ve tried a couple brands and honestly, they’re hit or miss. They’ll work in a pinch, but I wouldn’t trust them long-term on anything that isn’t pretty close to round.
Yeah, those “universal” boots are a gamble. I tried one on my 60s-era vent and it looked like a toddler’s art project—caulk everywhere, still leaked. Metal covers cost more, but at least I sleep better when it rains. Worth it for the peace of mind.