That lines up with my experience too. I went with mid-grade silicone boots about six years ago—wasn’t cheap, but I figured it’d pay off in the long run. Haven’t had to touch them since, and we get some brutal sun and ice here. I do a quick check every spring, same as you, but swapping them out every season seems like a waste unless you’re seeing obvious cracking or animal damage. Usually, if there’s a leak, it’s something else going on in the attic or with the flashing. Sometimes spending a bit more up front really does save headaches.
Usually, if there’s a leak, it’s something else going on in the attic or with the flashing.
That’s been my experience too—most of the time, leaks trace back to flashing or even a nail pop, not the boot itself. Curious if anyone’s had issues with critters chewing through silicone? I’ve seen a few cases where squirrels or raccoons did some real damage, but it seems rare. Wondering if certain colors or brands hold up better against that kind of thing...
I get what you’re saying about leaks usually being from flashing or nails, but I’ve actually had the vent boot itself be the culprit on my place. My house is only about 12 years old, and the original boots were that black rubber kind—looked fine from the ground, but when I got up there, they were all cracked and brittle around the pipe. No critter damage, just sun and weather. Maybe it’s a regional thing? I’m in central Texas, so we get a ton of sun and those wild temperature swings.
About critters chewing through silicone—haven’t seen it myself, but my neighbor swears squirrels chewed right through his newish silicone boot last spring. He thinks it’s because he used one of those white ones, which maybe stands out more? Not sure if color really matters to a squirrel, but who knows. He switched to one of those metal retrofit covers after that and hasn’t had any issues since.
I do wonder if some brands are tougher than others. The “lifetime” boots seem like marketing hype sometimes... I replaced mine with one of those lead sleeves that go over the pipe and so far, so good. They’re not as pretty as the colored silicone ones, but at least nothing’s chewed on them yet.
Swapping out boots every few years seems like a pain, but honestly, after seeing how fast mine failed in this heat, I’d rather just do it once with something sturdier than mess with it seasonally. Maybe in milder climates you can get away with leaving them longer? Just my two cents—sometimes it really is the boot itself causing headaches.
I’m in the same boat here in Oklahoma—those black rubber boots just don’t hold up with the heat swings. Mine started cracking at about 8 years, and I only noticed when I got a leak right above the bathroom. I tried one of those “lifetime” silicone boots, but honestly, after two summers, it looked rough. Ended up going with the lead sleeve too. Not winning any beauty contests, but I’d rather not climb up there every few years. I think the sun just ruins most of the flexible stuff faster than you’d think, at least around here. Maybe folks up north get more mileage, but I’m with you—it’s worth paying for something tougher up front.
I tried one of those “lifetime” silicone boots, but honestly, after two summers, it looked rough. Ended up going with the lead sleeve too. Not winning any beauty contests, but I’d rather not climb up there every few years.
That’s been my experience in Texas, too—our sun just eats up anything rubber or plastic on the roof. I used to think “lifetime” meant something, but apparently the lifetime is just shorter down here. I swapped out three boots in about a decade before throwing in the towel and going with lead sleeves. They’re not pretty, but at least I’m not doing gymnastics on a 10/12 pitch every couple of years.
Funny thing is, my neighbor up in Kansas has the same shingles as me but his boots look practically new after 12 years. Must be something about that combo of heat and UV we get down here that just fries everything faster. I tried painting one of my silicone boots with that white elastomeric stuff to see if it’d help reflect some heat, but it peeled off in less than a year. Waste of time and money.
The lead sleeves are holding up fine, though you’re right—they’re not exactly architectural masterpieces. My wife called them “little chimney hats.” But I’ll take ugly over leaky any day. Once water finds its way in, you’re dealing with drywall repairs and maybe even mold if you don’t catch it quick.
I do wonder if anyone’s found a flexible boot that actually survives our summers. I keep seeing new products pop up at the hardware store, but after getting burned (literally and figuratively) by the last few, I’m skeptical.
At this point, I figure if something lasts more than 8 years in this climate, that’s a win. If you find anything tougher than lead, let me know... otherwise I’ll be sticking with the tried-and-true, even if it makes my roof look like it’s got metal mushrooms sprouting up.
