How to Know If Your Roof Was Installed Wrong (And What to Do About It)
A roof should give you peace of mind—not keep you up at night wondering if the next storm will rip it apart. But across Oklahoma, we’ve seen the same thing again and again: brand-new roofs that are already failing.
And here’s the part that stings the most—it’s not because the homeowners waited too long. It’s because the roof was installed wrong from day one.
At Tier-One Roofing, we get called in to fix what other crews botched. Sometimes it’s sloppiness. Sometimes it’s inexperience. Sometimes it’s contractors cutting corners to save money. But every time, the homeowner pays the price.
This article breaks down the red flags that point to a bad installation—and what you can do about it if your home is one of the many in Oklahoma carrying a roof that wasn’t done right.
A “New” Roof Doesn’t Always Mean a Good One
You’d think a new roof would be something you don’t have to worry about for years. That’s the promise, right?
Unfortunately, we’ve replaced roofs that were only 2 years old because:
They were installed in a hurry after a storm
The contractor subbed out the labor to an untrained crew
The materials were fine, but the install was lazy
Flashing and underlayment were skipped or installed incorrectly
These aren’t one-off cases—they’re common. And in high-stress weather environments like Tulsa and the surrounding areas, a bad install doesn’t just underperform. It fails.
The Real-World Signs Your Roof Was Installed Wrong
Let’s cut the guesswork. Here’s what we see when a roof wasn’t installed the way it should have been.
1. Shingles Are Lifting, Curling, or Sliding
Shingles should lie flat. If they’re curling, lifting, or sliding, it’s not just age—it’s likely a bad seal or improper nailing.
We’ve seen roofs where installers used 3 nails instead of 6. Or didn’t line up the adhesive strips. Wind gets under those areas, and it's game over.
2. You’re Missing Shingles After Normal Wind
In Oklahoma, we get strong winds. But if your roof is losing shingles during every 30–40 mph gust, something’s off. Properly installed shingles, especially Class 3 or Class 4 options, should withstand that.
Missing shingles after routine storms is a flashing neon sign: poor install.
3. You See Exposed Nails or Fasteners
You should never see nail heads on the surface of your shingles. Exposed fasteners rust and leak over time. It’s a sure sign someone either didn’t know what they were doing or just didn’t care.
4. Flashing Looks Bent, Loose, or Improperly Sealed
Flashing should be tight, clean, and sealed at all critical joints—chimneys, vents, valleys. If it’s messy or lifting, you’re one rainstorm away from water damage.
We’ve replaced more ceilings than we can count because someone left flashing to “mostly” do the job.
5. Inconsistent Shingle Pattern or Layout
Roofing isn’t a freestyle project. There’s a system and rhythm to it. If your shingles look crooked, uneven, or like they weren’t planned out, there’s a good chance the person who installed them wasn’t a pro. That aesthetic issue often reflects deeper problems underneath.
6. You Find Leaks Early in the Roof’s Life
Roofs don’t typically leak in the first 5–10 years—unless something went seriously wrong during installation. If water is coming in through the ceiling, showing up in the attic, or staining your drywall, don’t assume it’s “just wear and tear.”
Leaks within the first few years are almost always tied to poor workmanship.
The Parts of a Roof Most Installers Get Wrong
We’ve seen it all, but here are the most common places things go sideways:
Valleys
These are where two roof slopes meet. They carry the most water. And they’re often the first thing ignored or rushed. Incorrect layering, poor underlayment, or skipping ice-and-water shields here causes most early leaks.
Ridge Caps
These sit at the top of your roof and are often installed with weaker fasteners or fewer nails. If these fail, the wind pulls up the rest of your system from the top down.
Starter Strips
These go along the eaves and rakes of your roof to lock in the first row of shingles. We’ve seen entire roofs installed without them. The result? Shingles lift and fly off like paper.
Nailing Patterns
There’s a reason manufacturers specify how and where shingles should be nailed. Nail too high? They’ll slide. Too low? They’ll crack. Wrong number? They’ll blow off.
Tier-One Roofing follows all manufacturer specs and installs everything to code—or we don’t install it at all.
What This Can Cost You Over Time
Let’s be clear—bad roofing doesn’t get better with time. It gets expensive. We’ve helped homeowners who were shocked to learn that their 3-year-old roof was:
Void of warranty because the installer didn’t follow manufacturer specs
Not covered by insurance after a storm because the damage was due to poor install, not weather
Causing hidden water damage that led to black mold, soaked insulation, and $10k+ in interior repairs
It’s not just about what’s overhead. It’s about everything underneath it.
What to Do If You Think Your Roof Was Installed Wrong
Don’t panic. But do act fast. Here’s what we recommend if you’re seeing signs of a bad install.
Step 1: Get a Trusted Inspection—Not Just an Estimate
You don’t need another quote. You need an evaluation. Tier-One Roofing performs in-depth inspections with full documentation, photos, and a breakdown of what’s wrong, what’s still solid, and what your options are.
Step 2: Review Your Warranty and Insurance
Sometimes, you may still be under a workmanship warranty. But be cautious—many of these warranties only hold up if the contractor is still in business (and many storm chasers aren’t).
We’ll help you read through your documents and determine if any coverage is still in play.
Step 3: Prioritize Immediate Risks
If we find a risk to your interior—an active leak, exposed decking, missing flashing—we’ll secure it right away. Emergency tarping, repairs, or stabilizing work comes first.
We’ll keep the problem from getting worse while we develop a plan.
Step 4: Plan for the Right Fix, Not a Quick One
Sometimes we can correct installation flaws with partial replacement. Sometimes it’s too far gone. We’ll walk you through the real options—with zero pressure and full transparency.
Why Tier-One Roofing Is the Team You Want Fixing It
We’re not just another roofing crew. We’re a veteran-owned company built on discipline, structure, and responsibility. We don’t guess. We don’t cut corners. And we don’t hide problems to win a sale.
When we fix a roof, we fix it with integrity. That means:
Following all manufacturer and city code requirements
Using proper fasteners, sealants, and materials for your climate
Reinforcing high-stress areas to prevent future failure
Installing with a team that’s trained—not just “hired”
You don’t need more noise. You need a straight answer and a solid roof.
Can You Go After the Previous Roofer?
Maybe. But it’s tricky.
If the contractor is still operating and offered a workmanship warranty, you can start there. But if they’re unresponsive, out of state, or used subcontractors, it’s unlikely you’ll get results.
We’ll help you document everything so you can explore legal or warranty options. But in most cases, the fastest and most effective solution is a reinstallation done right—with the proper documentation to protect you going forward.
Don’t Wait for a Bigger Problem
The worst call we get is the one that comes too late:
“We saw signs, but figured it could wait. Then the ceiling fell in.”
If you suspect your roof was installed wrong—or just want peace of mind before another storm rolls through—call Tier-One Roofing today.
We’ll inspect it, walk you through what we find, and lay out a plan that’s honest, practical, and mission-focused.
No stress. No scare tactics. Just real help from a crew that stands behind their work and the people they serve.