You’re not overdoing it—rubber vent boots can definitely become brittle over time, especially with harsh seasonal changes. Regular inspections are smart, and swapping them out before they fail can save you from roof leaks and ceiling water damage.
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I’ve seen more than a few vent boots crack in weird spots, especially after those freeze-thaw cycles we get here. Had one homeowner swear their roof was fine, but when I poked my head in the attic, there was a slow drip right around the vent pipe—turned out the boot had split just enough to let water sneak in. Swapping them out before trouble starts does save a lot of headache, even if it feels like overkill sometimes. Not everyone needs to do it every season, though. Depends how much sun and weather your roof takes.
That’s a good point about sun exposure—UV really does a number on those rubber boots over time. I’ve noticed in areas with a lot of direct sunlight, the material gets brittle way faster than in shaded spots. Curious if anyone’s had luck with the newer silicone or metal retrofit boots? I’ve swapped a few in after hailstorms and they seem to hold up better, but I haven’t seen long-term results yet. Wondering if it’s worth the extra cost for most folks, or just overkill unless you’re in a high-risk area.
Curious if anyone’s had luck with the newer silicone or metal retrofit boots? I’ve swapped a few in after hailstorms and they seem to hold up better, but I haven’t seen long-term results yet.
I’ve tried both silicone and metal boots on a couple of projects—honestly, the silicone ones seem to handle UV way better than the old rubber, especially here in the Southwest. Metal’s even tougher, but it can get pricey and isn’t always a perfect fit on older roofs. For most people, unless you’re dealing with extreme weather or constant sun, silicone’s probably the sweet spot. The upfront cost is higher, but you’re not climbing up there every couple years to swap out cracked boots... which is worth something in my book.
- Not totally sold on silicone as a long-term fix.
- Seen a few jobs where it started peeling after a couple years, especially with big temp swings.
- Metal’s solid, but yeah, the fit can be a pain—plus, hail can dent it up.
- Sometimes just sticking with a good quality rubber boot and regular checks is less hassle, honestly.
- Guess it depends how much you want to gamble on “newer” materials vs tried-and-true.
