Chimney boots for corrugated roofing/ Beware, Use only 100% silicone boots never E.P.D.M. material

[JPapiPE]

I odered an E.P.D.M chimney boot from W.W. Granger yesterday. I asked the saleman( at my local Grainger store) if this E.P.D.M boot was suitable for double walled insulated chimney? He said he didn't know but that we could confrence with the technical dept, for Grainger products in Chicago. The tech came on the line and assured me that the E.P.D.M boot was appropriate for my use and so I ordered one at $114. I also asked the tech to fax me all his information about the specs and install instructions for this boot. The tech did fax me some 6 pages of specs and instructions.

After reading the fax information I became aware of the warning against using E.P.D.M. products in high heat areas. I called the manufacturing company that made the boot and told them that i thought I had been mislead by grainger and really needed a 100% silicone boot, adjustatbe from 7"-11" . The woman tech told me I was exactly right and did need the silicone boot and clamp. She couldn't sell to me as a contractor, but did give me the product # of the silicone boot, which grainger does carry.

I then called grainger back and told then that the company that sells their E.P.D.M. flashing kit told me only silicone would be appropriate for my installation but my order had already been shipped. They were very nice and promised to get me the silicone boot and sent me a call tag to send the E.P.D.M. boot back to them free of all charges.

I have tried to include here a page of the fact sheet from Portals Plus, the manufacturer of both boots which list specs for both Rubber roofing (E.P.D.M.) and silicone ratings Be aware that pure silicone has a higher heat protection point more than double that of the cheaper E.P.D.M. boot. Silicone is up to 500 degrees f where as where as the E.P.D.M. boot is rated for a constant 212 degrees

Sorry I couldn't fax the sheet I had intended to send, as the file was too large. But the companies name is Portals Plus Inc @ !-800 PPI 5240
I hope this may save others a time consumming and safety issue mistake. If you need more help email me. i am a certified installer of E.PD.M. roofing.

 

[begreen]

Thanks for posting this helpful info Joe.

Portals Plus boot info link is here:

(broken link removed)

 

[trailblaster]

E.P.D.M. is the material I used when I use to do pond installations. I would lay it in the sun for an hour to soften and it got very flexible when it warmed up.

 

[KeithO]

In my business (exhaust aftertreatment), EPDM is a "cheap" alternative to polyurathane for low temperature isolator applications (diesel). That would be those donut shaped things that connect the exhaust to the bodyside hangers. Gas vehicles generally get the poly hangers for the exhaust. In most cases, silicone is banned in automotive use (at least anywhere prior to the paint shop due to its tendency to contaminate surfaces and cause "fish eyes" in the paint, which was a huge issue in the 80's). Silicone of couse has the best high temperature properties of all of the elastomers.

 

[koa97]

Dragging up an old post here, but I just recieved my long awaited chimney system, including the Selkirk rubber boot flashing kit. It has the E.P.D.M. black rubber boot, but installs it 1 inch from the pipe with a metal guard. I suppose if it weren't ok Selkirk wouldn't market it for this application. On the other hand, if an ember were to make it up the flue and drop on it... The actual manufacturer of the boot rates it at 115 deg Celsius. That's about 230 Fahrenheit?

 

[Prada]

koa97: We have been using the Selkirk Boot with no problem for the past year is all I can say. They had assured me it was very safe because I called and questioned them. I sure hope it is, plus it costs enough!