How to Replace the Roof Boot Around the Electrical Input

Keeping an eye on the integrity of your roof is critical to maintaining the house. A leak in the roof can mean costly repairs and significant remodeling. However, with attention and care, leaks can be prevented. One common place for leaks to start in the roof is where electrical lines enter the house. This is almost always due to the degrading of the roof boot. Replacing a roof boot is a simple and straightforward project.

Things You'll Need

Razor knife
New boot

Roofing tar

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the old roof boot. Do not damage the flashing or shingles as you remove it. Use a razor knife to cut the boot away and scrape off any residual tar or rubber where the boot was. You may need to gently lift some shingles to remove the entire boot.
- 2
  Install a new split boot where the old boot was. Be sure the new split boot makes contact with all components and is installed exactly as the old boot was. The boot must be firmly pressed against the pipe, the roof, and itself at the joint where it goes around the pipe.
- 3
  Cover all the seams with roofing tar. Apply the tar in one continuous bead around the pipe, along the joint, and along the seam between the roof boot and the roof. If you need to reinstall any nails to hold down the shingles, fill the nail hole with tar, then replace the nail.

Alternatives to a Tar Gravel Roof

Steel Shingles Vs. Concrete Shingles

Roof Repairs