This repair is continued from Part 1.
Cracked Roof Vent Boot Flashing Repair
I called several roofing companies in my area about the cracked vent boot, but none were available due to the once in 500 year flooding rains that fell on the Atlanta metro area in September. One company said they’d received 600 calls on Monday and most could only put me on a waiting list for a call back. I was quoted $125 to install lead pipe flashing for labor and materials, but no one could promise when they could get to it.
I was able to buy an Oatey Galvanized Base No-Calk® Roof Flashing at Lowes for about $7 that fit a 2″ inch vent pipe. I would have preferred a lead pipe flashing because it’s the best and longest lasting flashing solution that avoids the problem of cracked rubber boots. I can always hire a roofer when they’re not so busy and have lead flashing installed.
Oatey Galvanized Base No-Calk® Roof Flashing
Roof Vent Flashing Installation
Removing the old roof vent and installing a new one is simple:
- Pry up the roofing nails used to attach the old flashing.
- Gently lift up the shingles above the flashing.
- Lift the flashing off the vent pipe.
- Slide the new flashing over the vent pipe.
- Tuck the uphill part of the flashing under the shingles.
- Fasten the new flashing with galvanized roofing nails.
- Apply a dab of roofing sealant to the nail heads and bottom tabs of the shingles that were disturbed.
The entire job takes less than 15 minutes. It seems easy and it is, unless you have a high and steep roof like mine. A 40 foot ladder is necessary to reach the roof from the ground and I’m not comfortable working so close to the edge of the roof. Time to hire a professional roofer, but none were available on short notice. What to do?
I got lucky and noticed a roofing crew working in the neighborhood. I asked the foreman if I he could install the new vent flashing. He said they were almost finished with the current job and could send someone over in 45 minutes. He asked if I had the new vent flashing, I said yes and showed him the Oatey No-Caulk flashing. He said he would install my flashing and add a rubber rain collar for extra protection for $50.
Two men from the roofing crew a short while later as promised. They setup a 16 foot ladder by the garage and bear crawled up the hip ridges with a big block of foam rubber (i.e. an old couch cushion) wearing regular tennis shoes with amazing agility! Compare this to my Poor’s Man’s roofing shoes in this article. In this photo the roofer is getting into position to start work.
Roofer Bear Crawling along the Roof Hip
Here the roofer has pried up the nails and is removing the old vent pipe flashing. The block of foam rubber grips the roof so he doesn’t slide off. The new flashing is tucked under the edge of shingle above him so it’s doesn’t slide away.
Removing the old Roof Vent Pipe Flashing
The new flashing is slide over the pipe, tucked under the shingles on the high side, and nailed to the roof.
BASF SONOLASTIC® NP 1 roof sealant is applied to the nail heads and bottom tabs of the roof shingles that were raised to install the flashing. This makes everything waterproof and ensures the shingles are glued to the next row so they won’t be lifted by the a strong wind.
Roof Sealant is Applied to the Nail Heads
Rain Collar – Fix a Leak in the Rain
Rain & Repair Pipe Collars are simply the rubber boot without the metal flashing. It acts like an umbrella to shed water over a cracked boot. A rain collar costs $5 to $10 and can be installed while it’s raining or wet for an emergency fix. No caulking, it stretches over the pipe for a water tight seal.
This is the new roof vent flashing with an added rain collar for extra protection.
New Plumbing Roof Vent Flashing with Rain Collar
Cracked Vent Boot – Post Mortem
The boot on the old Oatey all-plastic vent flashing was severely cracked/split in the places. This broke the watertight seal around the 2″ PVC vent pipe and allowed rain water to leak in and run down the vent pipe onto the drywall ceiling. This vent boot failed after about 10 years on the southern exposure of the roof.
Oatey - Cracked/Split Boot on Vent Pipe Flashing
A side view of the old vent flashing:
Oatey - Cracked Plumbing Vent Boot Flashing
I’ll have all my vent boots replaced with lead flashing when the roofing companies are less busy in a few months. Lead flashing lasts practically forever and almost never leaks because the rim of the lead flashing is folded into the top of the plastic vent pipe for a 100% seamless and waterproof installation. The rubber vent flashing costs $7 compared $30 for a lead flashing. The reliability of lead flashing is well worth it in my opinion.
Take care,
Bob Jackson
February 9th, 2010 at 2:26 am
Thank You for this information. I’m no roofing expert..well..I know a heck of a lot more now thanks to your pictures and links. The Rain Collars are great. It was impossible to purchase them locally in my City of Austin, Texas. Nobody stocks them! What A Quick Fix. Thank You Again. Johnny Goyen Austin, Texas
February 9th, 2010 at 8:42 am
If a rain collar isn’t immediately available, you can always cut out the rubber boot from a standard flashing and slide it over the vent pipe to cover the cracks in the old boot.
Thanks,
Bob Jackson