Roofing Red Flags: If You See These, Make a Phone Call

Most people wait until water is dripping from the ceiling before they call a roofer. But by that point, the damage is already done—and what could’ve been a minor repair turns into thousands in costs, insurance stress, and days of disruption inside your home.

At Tier-One Roofing, we believe early action is everything. And more often than not, your roof is trying to tell you something before the leaks start. You just have to know what to look for.

This guide is for every Tulsa-area homeowner who wants to get ahead of the problem, not just clean up after it. These are the red flags we see all the time—signs that your roof is starting to fail, that something was installed wrong, or that water is already on its way in.

If you see any of these? Make the call. We’ll come take a look, shoot you straight, and make sure what’s over your head stays there.

Red Flag #1: Granules Are Piling Up Around Your Home

If you’re seeing a sand-like material in your gutters, driveway, or landscaping, that’s not just dirt. Those are shingle granules—and they’re not supposed to be coming off in clumps.

Granules are what protect your roof from UV damage, hail, and wind. If your shingles are shedding, they’re breaking down faster than they should. This is one of the earliest signs that your roof system is starting to fail—even if the shingles look intact.

We see this often after one or two hail events where the shingles weren’t bruised deep enough to tear but were compromised just enough to start disintegrating with every Oklahoma sun cycle.

Red Flag #2: Shingles That Curl, Lift, or Ripple

Flat shingles are happy shingles. But if you’re seeing any curling edges, lifting tabs, or slight buckling across sections of your roof, that’s a warning.

Wind can grab these loose edges, rain can slip beneath them, and over time, the entire row of shingles can blow off in a single storm. This is especially common with builder-grade shingles or rushed installs where the adhesive didn’t seal fully.

Even newer roofs can show this behavior if the install crew used the wrong fastener pattern or didn’t apply pressure during warm enough temperatures.

At Tier-One Roofing, we don’t just replace shingles. We check why they failed in the first place.

Red Flag #3: Ceiling Stains That Grow (Even Slowly)

Even a tiny brown dot on the ceiling is never just cosmetic. It’s proof that moisture is getting through—somewhere.

The problem? That stain is almost always the last place water traveled. The leak could be ten feet higher on the roof, slowly working its way down before it became visible.

If you’ve painted over it once and it came back, you’ve got an active problem. That moisture is likely soaking insulation, warping wood, and setting up the perfect environment for mold.

We don’t just patch the symptom—we find the source. That’s the Tier-One difference.

Red Flag #4: Drip Lines Behind the Fascia or Soffit

Next time it rains, stand outside and look at the edge of your roof. You shouldn’t see water running down behind the gutters or dripping from unexpected spots.

If water is coming from behind the fascia board—or if your soffits are dripping—it likely means your drip edge is either missing or failing.

That’s a big deal. The drip edge is designed to keep water from flowing back toward the decking. When it fails, water starts eating into the structure—rotting the edge of the roof deck, warping fascia boards, and even seeping into the walls.

Tier-One Roofing replaces and properly seals all edge protection. We don’t leave the small stuff undone—because that’s usually where the big stuff starts.

Red Flag #5: Rusted or Loose Flashing

Flashing is the metal barrier around chimneys, skylights, vents, and valleys. If it’s rusted, bent, or has pulled away even slightly, that’s a serious point of vulnerability.

In almost every roof we inspect that has interior water damage, the failure started with flashing. It’s also the part most often skipped, reused, or rushed by lazy roofers.

We always install new flashing—every time. And we install it with high-temp sealants, proper overlap, and long-lasting finishes that hold up to Oklahoma’s wild swings between sun and storm.

Red Flag #6: Popped Nails or Raised Shingles

Shingles should lie smooth and flush against the deck. If you’re seeing small bumps, ripples, or nail heads starting to rise, your roof is trying to tell you something.

Nail pops can mean:

The decking is too thin or warped
The nails weren’t driven correctly
Temperature swings have caused movement in the structure

Either way, every raised nail is an entry point for water—and every misfired fastener reduces your roof’s wind resistance.

We fix these by replacing shingles and correcting the root cause—not just banging nails back down.

Red Flag #7: Your Neighbors Are Getting New Roofs

This one surprises people, but it’s true. If your neighborhood was built around the same time and your neighbors are suddenly replacing their roofs after a hailstorm or wind event, you should take note.

Storms don’t hit every home the same way—but they hit close. If other roofs are being replaced, your roof likely took damage too. Even if you can’t see it, it may be there.

Tier-One Roofing offers full storm damage inspections and will help you document it before your insurance deadline expires. We’re not here to sell you a new roof—we’re here to make sure yours is still doing its job.

Red Flag #8: Your Roof Is Over 12 Years Old

Shingles aren’t meant to last forever—especially in Oklahoma. Between hail, wind, blazing summers, and freeze-thaw cycles, even high-end materials wear out faster here than in other parts of the country.

If your roof is over 12 years old, it’s time for an expert look. You might have a few good years left—but you won’t know until someone who knows what they’re doing gets up there and checks the layers that matter.

Tier-One doesn’t just look at the surface—we assess the entire system, from decking to ridge vent.

What to Do If You Spot One of These Red Flags

Don’t ignore it. Don’t wait. And whatever you do, don’t assume it’s no big deal. That’s how a $500 repair turns into a $7,000 tear-off and rebuild.

Here’s what to do:

Call Tier-One Roofing – We’ll schedule a full inspection at no cost.
Let us document what we find – We use photos, notes, and detailed reporting so you have full clarity.
Get the truth about your roof – We’ll tell you exactly what’s wrong (if anything), what it means, and what to do next.

No pressure. No scare tactics. Just honesty and a plan.

Why Tier-One Roofing Catches What Others Miss

We’re veteran-owned. That means discipline, structure, and a level of follow-through most contractors simply don’t offer.

We don’t eyeball your roof from the ground. We climb it. We test it. We push, pull, measure, and dig in—because your safety depends on it.

We don’t recommend what you don’t need.
We don’t skip over the details.
We don’t take your trust lightly.

When you call us, you get professionals. Not salespeople. Not subcontractors. A real team that gives a damn about your home.

The Hard Truth About Waiting Too Long

We’ve seen it happen again and again. Someone ignores one of these signs, hoping it’s nothing. Then a storm hits. A leak starts. Insurance gets involved, and the homeowner finds out they’re on the hook because it was classified as “wear and tear” instead of storm damage.

Don’t let that be you.

If something looks off—even slightly—call us now. Let us check it out and give you peace of mind. Worst case? You’re in the clear. Best case? You save thousands by catching it early.

You’ve Got One Job—Make the Call

If any part of your roof is trying to tell you something, listen. We’re here to help before the problem gets worse.

Call Tier-One Roofing today.
We’ll get you scheduled.
We’ll walk your roof like it’s our own.
We’ll catch what others miss—and fix it right the first time.

In Oklahoma, your roof isn’t just a structure. It’s a shield. Let’s make sure it holds.