That fading on the collar is pretty common, especially with the sun and wild temp swings we get up here. I get why you’d want to just keep an eye on it—no one’s itching to haul a ladder out every season. Still, I’ve seen a few folks wait too long and end up with leaks right down the vent pipe. Out of curiosity, did you go with a rubber or silicone collar? I’ve noticed the silicone ones hold up better in our winters, but they’re not as easy to find around here.
I get why you’d want to just keep an eye on it—no one’s itching to haul a ladder out every season.
Ha, you nailed it. I swear, the only thing worse than dragging out the ladder is realizing halfway up that you forgot the right size socket. I’ve done the “seasonal swap” dance a few times, and honestly, it’s a pain. Last year I tried to stretch a rubber collar through one more winter—big mistake. Ended up with a drip right over the laundry room, and of course it waited until February to show up. Nothing like balancing on an icy roof, muttering about my life choices.
I’ve had better luck with silicone too, but you’re right—they’re like unicorns around here. The local hardware guy looked at me like I was asking for a left-handed hammer. If you can get your hands on one, it’s worth the hassle. Otherwise, I just keep a tube of roof sealant handy and cross my fingers until spring.
Dragging out the ladder is always a pain, especially when you realize you forgot something halfway up—been there more times than I’d like to admit. Honestly, I’ve found that once those rubber collars start cracking, no amount of sealant really buys you much time, especially in cold climates. Silicone boots are great if you can find them, but I’ve seen folks use a metal retrofit flashing as a longer-term fix when replacements aren’t available locally. Out of curiosity, what kind of roof pitch are you dealing with? Steeper roofs make those mid-winter fixes even sketchier.
Honestly, I’ve found that once those rubber collars start cracking, no amount of sealant really buys you much time, especially in cold climates.
Totally agree—once the rubber goes, it’s just a countdown to leaks. I’ve tried patching with sealant in a pinch, but it never lasts through a full winter here (upper Midwest). Metal retrofit flashing has saved me more than once, especially when the supply house was out of silicone boots. For what it’s worth, I’d rather swap out the boot in the fall than risk a mid-winter emergency on a 9/12 pitch... not worth the stress or the icy ladder rungs.
- You’re spot on about the countdown to leaks once the collar starts cracking.
- Sealant’s really just a temporary band-aid, especially with freeze/thaw cycles—seen too many “quick fixes” fail by January.
- Metal retrofit flashing is a solid move. I’ve used it when boots weren’t an option, and it’s held up surprisingly well through some nasty storms.
- Swapping out in the fall is smart. I’ve had to do an emergency swap on a steep roof in February—never again...
- Honestly, a little hassle now beats a soaked attic and icy ladder drama later. Good call prioritizing safety and prevention.
