roof pipe boot

What is a Roof Pipe Boot?

Roof pipe boots and roof vent boots are interchangeable terms for the often rubber boot found around vents and pipes on your roof. There are many pieces that go into a roof anatomy to ensure water does not make its way inside a home. For example, the many vents and pipes on a roof create an entry point. These are areas that need to vent from bathroom fans to stoves. As these areas are holes, during installation a roofing contractor will utilize a roof pipe boot to ensure water does not seep in. Often when homeowners have leak issues in their bathrooms and kitchens, faulty or nonexistent roof vent boots are the culprit. This is often the first sign that the boot must be replaced. During this roof repair, a new pipe boot will be fitted to work in unison with the entirety of the roofing system.

What Makes Roof Pipe Boots Necessary

 

When designing and installing a roofing system there is one major goal. Moisture and debris should not enter the domicile. Creating holes for vents and pipes goes against the very nature of a roofing system. As these are necessary additions, pipe boots are used to ensure proper sealing of the home. As homes move, the rubber allows the vent in which it protects to shift with the home without introducing water. Also, your homes plumbing traditionally uses ventilation. This is where the term, “roof pipe boot” comes from. Like ventilation, these pipes allow gasses to escape upwards, which is why they are inherently necessary. It is simply impossible to design a home without vents and pipes.

Vent boots come in several forms including metal flashing, plastic, rubber, and silicone. This often comes down to personal preference of the contractor, and ease of installation. All roof vent boots still accomplish the same task.

The need to install and replace pipe boots often comes after a roofing system has been installed. These are usually roofing repair necessities that can be installed quickly and efficiently.