The Daily Fix

How to Repair a Roof Flashing Boot (in a Flash)

comments (20) October 9th, 2010 in Blogs

Matt Jackson, member

New replacement flashing with center cut out

Vent flashing with serious UV damage

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The Problem

You've seen this before; a plumbing vent flashing that is completely deteriorated from UV damage. While such a flashing is easy to replace while laying new shingles, it is a whole different challenge with old, dry, sealed down shingles where removing the flashing will damage most or all of the surrounding shingles.

The Hard Way

In the past I've always spent way too much time extricating the entire flashing from the layers of existing shingles in hopes that the few extra shingles the homeowner had saved will be enough to patch and weave back into the roofing around it.

A Better Way

Faced with this scenario the other day, a better idea hit me: instead of removing the entire flashing, it would be much simpler to replace just the failed part: the rubber gasket. Since the rubber boot is crimped into a channel in the galvanized metal flashing it didn't seem feasible to un-crimp the old boot out, un-crimp a new boot out of a new flashing and then re-crimp the new boot into the old flashing, so I did the next best thing. With an identical new flashing from the local home center in hand, I carefully cut out the humped center portion out of it. After cutting out the scraps of the old UV damaged boot from the existing flashing and applying a generous bead of urethane sealant, I simply slipped the new boot over the vent pipe and down onto the old flashing and secured it with a couple of galvanized self-drilling screws. It was never so easy to do a callback-free repair of what is normally a very unpleasant task.

Whaddya Think?

I'd sure like to hear from anyone else who finds this method helpful.

posted in: Blogs, water and moisture control, roofs, vent pipe flashing, roof repair

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Comments (20)

Tikkilee writes: To prevent UV damage to the new boot, why not slide a second boot over the newly installed boot and not seal or nail it. When it becomes damaged by the UV rays, slide it off and put on a new one. The bottom one will still be like new!!
Posted: 9:06 pm on September 29th

AllStyle writes: This repair can be accomplished much easier using the All Style Industries Retro-Split Storm collar.

Just use the EPDM storm collar with the correct size hole molded into it, wrap it around the penetration, and slide it home over the bad flashing.

See these at www.stormcollar.com
Posted: 1:09 pm on September 22nd

TimBVB writes: It's ironic that I should come across this blog. I have a chance to try it out next week after the snow goes away. I'll give my thoughts then. I have confidence that this will work. Thanks for the tip.
Posted: 9:14 am on January 11th

BobboMax writes: OK, next question is how to replace a deteriorated boot when it's on an electrical mast, where you can't slip the repair boot down from the top. Does Oatey make one for that?
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Posted: 9:13 pm on December 16th

sidhe_who writes: I am so happy I stumbled across this. Talk about timely! I've got our bedroom, of which one wall is also the bath's "wet" wall, torn down to the studs just about ready to install the drywall. We had a couple of days of almost constant rain this past week and I just happened to notice a little puddle of water. Tracked it to what I believe is a leaking boot although I haven't been on the roof to verify. The wet roof sheathing right around the stack is a pretty strong indicator though. This looks like a most *excellent* fix without having to tear up the shingles.
Posted: 4:24 pm on November 18th

billat790 writes: 'nuf said
Posted: 12:32 am on November 10th

Jayne_l writes: Oatley makes a replacement rain collar I found on the internet at Aubuchon Hardware in different sizes for around $5.00.
The description says "Offers a quick, positive repair to leaking flashings. Slides easily over vent stack to act as a protective shield or storm collar. No caulking is necessary."

When we replace our roof, I round ready made lead pipe flashing and pipe cap counter flashing for sale at bestmaterials.co
Sounds like the way to go.

Why is it you can find this stuff on the internet, but the stores just carry the same crap that everyone complains about.
Posted: 7:35 am on October 30th

jmsh writes: I have done a replacement in this fashion, too. I use 1 screw on each side, hex head, self-drilling with neoprene washers.
Posted: 2:16 pm on October 29th

BellaVistaLarry writes: how about painting the rubber gasket with latex paint on original installation to protect it from UV?
Posted: 7:13 am on October 25th

shoptruck writes: This trick works great. I used it on two of my roof stacks,but used the all plasic Oatey brand flashing for the repair. I cut off the flat roof portion with tin snips,slid it down over the stack and it fit perfectly. The fit was so snug that I never added caulk or screws. Two Chicago winters and so far so good. Some sealant certainly is a good idea though.
Posted: 11:30 pm on October 18th

Arcenio writes: Excellent Solution!
Posted: 10:30 am on October 18th

OCIhome writes: This is a great idea, thanks, I will use it in the future.
Posted: 10:13 am on October 18th

diyguy2001 writes: This is exactly the type of repair we spend alot of time fixing!!!
Talk about a Rube Goldberg job.
WOW.....does it take Sooooo much more time to do it right?
Neoprene vent collars should should be outlawed to begin with. They only last 3-5 years on a roof that should last 30-50 years....talk about ensuring a repair work order. Do it right the first time, fabricate & install a lead vent collar with ice & water shield wraped around the pipe and be done with it until its time to replace the roof again.
Posted: 9:32 am on October 18th

hmanooch writes: I might forgo the screws and opt instead for a second bead of caulk near the bottom to secure the new section.
Posted: 1:34 pm on October 17th

Davo304 writes:

I think that is a great solution. I could have used it 2 weeks ago when I replaced one for a customer. Luckily they had a few extra shingles on hand. As for the comment about the "gap being too wide and a callback waiting to happen"....I just don't see what he is talking about.

The new rubber boot covers the pipe...the metal shell laps overtop of the old shell...you ran a bead of caulking underneath to keep water from diverting...and the screws hold everything in place......

Gee, let me think, sounds a lot like the same procedure you would do when installing a brand new boot; except the caulking is underneath the new boot and makes contact with the roof, instead of shell to shell.

Only possible way that new replacement system could leak is from the metal screw entry point...which is highly unlikely, and to take care of that, either pre-drill and than pre-fill hole with caulking before running in the screws, or use neoprene (rubber) washers with your screws. Although, I doubt you need to go to that extreme.
Posted: 11:35 am on October 15th

Robert Susz writes: Love it! And just to point out, put those screws in below the bead of caulk.

Is the gap on the bottom small enough to dissuade bees from yet another nesting site?

-Rob
Posted: 11:07 pm on October 11th

TheTimberTailor writes: Pedler,

Geocel is a great product but I would not be comfortable gobbing on a big enough bead of it, or anything else, to seal up this vent pipe. It would take at least a 3/4" bead (is it still called a bead when it gets that wide?) for the gap between the pipe and metal. Nope, sounds to me just like a call back waiting to happen...

Matt
Posted: 9:16 pm on October 11th

bikinmatt writes: I too have made this exact repair several times in the last year. I too consider it an unpleasant endeavor - how I wish this advice had been available sooner. Genius.
Posted: 8:21 pm on October 11th

Pedler writes: Geocel 2315 & 2300 would have made a nice repair to the boot and stack.
Posted: 4:22 pm on October 11th

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