Had a raccoon try to redecorate my roof once, but otherwise, a little sealant and a good look-over twice a year has saved me a lot of headaches.
Same here—why does it always feel like wildlife thinks my house is their playground? I’m with you on the sealant. Do you ever wonder if the fancier boots are worth it, or just stick with the basic ones? I can’t see swapping them out every season unless you’re running a ladder gym.
- Yeah, wildlife’s relentless. Squirrels chewed through my last vent boot—didn’t matter if it was “premium” or not.
- I’ve tried both basic and pricier boots. Honestly, unless you’re in a spot with wild temp swings or constant sun, the basic ones hold up fine.
- Swapping every season sounds like overkill. Twice a year check, sealant touch-up, and you’re good... unless you’ve got raccoons with power tools.
I’ve had critters go after my roof boots too—squirrels, birds, even a possum once. The “premium” label doesn’t mean much if a determined squirrel’s hungry enough. I switched to boots made from recycled rubber a couple years back, mostly because I wanted something less toxic and supposedly more flexible through the seasons. They’ve held up better than the standard plastic ones, but yeah, nothing’s totally animal-proof.
Honestly, swapping boots every season seems like way too much work unless you’re in some kind of wildlife warzone. I do an early spring and late fall walkaround—just check for cracks or chewed spots, slap on some eco-friendly sealant if anything looks sketchy. Never had to do a full replacement more than every few years. Maybe it’s different if you’re in the deep south or somewhere with crazy sun and heat swings, but up here (midwest), basic maintenance goes a long way.
If you’re really worried about wildlife, I’ve seen folks wrap mesh or metal flashing around the base of the boot. Not pretty, but it slows down the gnawing.
Swapping out boots every season sounds like a full-time job, honestly. I’m with you—unless you’re living in a spot where the wildlife is relentless or the weather’s just brutal, it’s probably overkill. I’ve seen more damage from critters than from the actual weather, to be honest. Had a raccoon tear into a lead boot once, and I swear it looked like it was trying to open a can of beans.
I do think the recycled rubber ones hold up better in the freeze-thaw cycles we get up here (I’m in northern Illinois). The plastic ones always seemed to get brittle by year three, then you’d get a hairline crack and suddenly you’re tracing a leak through the attic. I’ve tried the mesh trick too—doesn’t win any beauty contests, but it kept the squirrels at bay for a couple seasons.
One thing I’ve wondered: has anyone tried those silicone boots? I’ve heard mixed things about UV resistance, but never seen one chewed up. Maybe the critters just don’t like the taste...
I get the hesitation with swapping boots all the time, but honestly, I’ve had more issues from letting them sit too long than from critters or weather. Up here in central Wisconsin, the freeze-thaw cycles just eat those recycled rubber ones alive after a couple winters. I tried silicone boots last year—no chew marks, but they started chalking and cracking around the edges faster than I expected. Not sure they’re the magic fix. Sometimes I wonder if just checking and resealing every fall is less hassle than swapping the whole thing.