A roofing contractor had just installed a new roof on a property that had been rehabbed. Many property owners are not familiar enough with the trades to know when a job has been completed properly. Most take the word of the contractor.

I could not help but notice that the stack vents on this rehabbed property were the old ones and the roofing contractor sealed them off with tar instead of installing new ones. Leaving the old boot jacks on will leave the new owner with constant maintenance issues with leaking seals as tar has a limited life expectancy.

New boot jacks cost a few dollars and need be replaced when the roof is replaced. Many roofing contractors include replacement of boot jacks as part of the price of replacing or installing new roof coverings. If you are having your roof replaced, check to see if these are included in the cost.