- Totally get where you’re coming from—those sleeves are a decent stopgap, but I’ve had a couple shift after a rough winter (I’m in Wisconsin, so similar weather).
- Extra sealant seems pretty normal, especially if the old boot’s warped or cracked.
- For me, the sleeves held up about two years before I noticed some movement. Not perfect, but it bought me time to save up for better boots.
- If you’re not seeing leaks now, you’re probably good for a bit... just keep an eye out after heavy snow or ice.
- I’ve noticed the sleeves do okay for a while, but once we get that freeze/thaw cycle in March, they start to wiggle loose.
- I usually end up adding more sealant mid-winter, but honestly, it’s just delaying the inevitable.
- Has anyone tried those all-rubber boots instead of the metal/rubber combo? Wondering if they flex better with temp swings.
- My roofs are mostly asphalt shingle, and the boots seem to age faster than the shingles themselves... maybe it’s just our Midwest weather?
Yeah, Midwest weather is brutal on vent boots. I’ve swapped to all-rubber on a couple of my buildings, and they do seem to handle the temp swings better—less cracking so far. Still, nothing seems to last as long as you’d hope. I feel your pain with the constant maintenance... it’s like a never-ending cycle every spring.
I’m not totally sold on the all-rubber boots, honestly. I put one in last fall and it’s already showing some wear—maybe I just got a dud, but it makes me wonder if the material really matters that much or if it’s just the Midwest weather chewing through everything. I almost feel like nothing’s built to last up there.
I almost feel like nothing’s built to last up there.
Honestly, I kinda get that feeling too—Midwest weather is brutal. Have you tried the boots with the metal base and rubber collar? I’ve seen those hold up better, but maybe that’s just luck. What kind of roof pitch are you working with? Sometimes steep roofs chew up boots faster, at least from what I’ve noticed.