I hear you on the “set it and forget it” thing—sometimes it just feels too good to be true, especially once that summer sun really starts baking everything up there. I’ve definitely seen silicone jobs looking rough after a couple years, especially on south-facing slopes where the sun never lets up. Had a neighbor with a 60s ranch and he thought he’d solved all his flashing issues with a generous bead of sealant... two years later, the stuff was peeling up like old caulk in a bathroom. Cracking, pulling away from the pipe, and water sneaking underneath. Not pretty.
Honestly, I’m more in the camp of using boots with an actual compression fit (those ones with a stainless ring you clamp down) and then maybe a dab of sealant as backup, not as the main line of defense. Sealant alone just feels like a ticking time bomb, especially on older roofs that flex or shift a bit with temperature swings.
About critters… man, don’t get me started. We had a squirrel that chewed through one of those cheap rubber boots last fall. I thought I was imagining things until I saw him going at it early one morning—little guy was determined, and apparently rubber is delicious if you’re a rodent. Ended up swapping to an aluminum base boot with EPDM collar and so far no chew marks, but who knows how long that’ll last. Birds haven’t been much of an issue for me, but I’ve heard woodpeckers can go after just about anything if they’re bored enough.
I’ve had better luck with the pricier “eco” boots—maybe because they’re made from recycled material and seem thicker? Not sure if it’s placebo or what, but they seem to hold up better under UV. Still, nothing’s truly maintenance-free up there... I try to check everything each spring after the snow melts and again in the fall before it gets gnarly. It’s a hassle, but less so than dealing with leaks inside.
Curious if anyone’s tried those silicone “repair sleeves” you slip over cracked boots? Seem handy in theory but I’m skeptical they’d hold up through a full season of freeze/thaw cycles.
I get what you’re saying about compression boots being more reliable, but I’ve actually seen a few of those stainless clamp types fail too—usually when the pipe itself isn’t perfectly round or there’s some movement from settling. Sometimes the clamp doesn’t seal evenly and you still get drips. Personally, I like to add a good quality flashing under the shingle and use a boot as backup, not the other way around. It’s not always about the boot material—sometimes it’s just how well everything is layered together up there. And yeah, squirrels are relentless... had one stash acorns in a vent once.
That’s a good point about the clamp types not always being foolproof. I’ve had similar issues where the pipe wasn’t quite round or the roof settled a bit over time, and suddenly that “tight” seal isn’t so tight anymore. It’s frustrating when you do everything right and still end up with a drip after a heavy rain.
I’m with you on the layering—flashing under the shingle is a must for me, too. Honestly, I think a lot of leaks come down to how well things are stacked and tucked, not just what kind of boot you use. I’ve seen some pretty cheap boots last years just because the flashing was spot-on, while pricier ones failed because they were slapped on top of old shingles.
And yeah, squirrels... I had one chew right through a lead boot last fall. Came home to acorns rolling down the bathroom vent. Sometimes it feels like you’re roofing for the wildlife more than yourself.
Swapping boots every season seems like overkill unless you’re in a spot with wild temperature swings or critter problems. For me, it’s more about checking things after storms and making sure nothing’s shifted or chewed up.
I get the logic behind just checking after storms, but I’ve actually seen seasonal swaps help in spots with crazy freeze/thaw cycles. Sometimes the rubber boots just don’t bounce back after a brutal winter. Not saying it’s for everyone, but in my neck of the woods, it’s saved a few headaches. Squirrels, though... nothing stops those little vandals.
Sometimes the rubber boots just don’t bounce back after a brutal winter.
Man, you’re not kidding about that. I’ve pulled boots in March that looked like they’d been chewed up by a snowblower. Here’s my usual routine: after the last big freeze, I’ll check the boots for cracks or splits—especially on the north side where the sun never hits. If they’re stiff or brittle, I swap ‘em. It’s a pain, but beats chasing leaks in April. Squirrels, though... I swear they’re running a boot removal business up there.