Roof problems don’t always start with storms.
Sometimes, the problem started the day your roof was installed.
Whether it was a builder rushing through a neighborhood, a budget contractor underbidding the job, or a crew that just didn’t care — poor workmanship is one of the leading reasons Tulsa homeowners call us months or even years after they got “a brand new roof.”
At Tier-One Roofing, we’ve inspected thousands of homes across Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, and beyond. And we can tell you with full confidence: bad roofing doesn’t always look bad at first.
The shingles might be straight.
The flashing might look clean.
But beneath the surface, there are signs that corners were cut — and eventually, those shortcuts turn into leaks, rot, insurance claim denials, and costly rework.
Here are the 7 most common signs that your roofer didn’t do the job right — and what Tier-One Roofing does differently to protect you from ever being in that situation again.
1. Your Shingles Don’t Have a Clean, Uniform Layout
This is one of the easiest things you can check for yourself — and it’s often the first giveaway.
Take a look at your roof from the ground (or with a drone, if you have one). Ask yourself:
Are the shingle rows aligned consistently across the roof?
Do the tabs look evenly spaced?
Are there obvious stagger errors or pattern jumps?
Do ridge lines look crooked from end to end?
Misaligned shingles don’t just look sloppy — they compromise the integrity of the roof.
When shingle placement is off, it leaves nail lines exposed, causes water to flow incorrectly, and voids manufacturer warranties.
Many roofers rush this part or let inexperienced laborers install shingles without oversight. And by the time a homeowner notices, the crew is long gone.
Tier-One Roofing ensures every install is checked for symmetry, pattern consistency, and manufacturer guidelines — down to the last row.
2. There Are Exposed Nail Heads on the Roof
Nails should never be visible on your roof — unless they’re properly sealed and part of ridge caps or other finishing features.
Exposed nail heads are a major red flag. They allow:
Water intrusion directly into decking
Rust and corrosion, weakening the fastener
Thermal expansion cracks, creating slow leaks over time
Most budget roofers don’t seal nail heads. They either don’t care or assume you’ll never notice.
We’ve torn off roofs in Tulsa that were only three years old and already rotting because of dozens of exposed, rusted nails.
Tier-One Roofing inspects every nail row during and after install, and we seal any exposed fasteners using weatherproof, color-matched sealant. If we find exposed nails on your roof during an inspection, you’ll get photos — and a plan to fix them the right way.
3. Your Roof Was Completed Suspiciously Fast
This one gets overlooked all the time. But if your roof was completed in just a few hours — especially on a larger home — there’s a good chance something was skipped.
Roofing is skilled labor. A typical, code-compliant install should take:
1 full day for 1,000–1,500 sq. ft.
2+ days for larger or more complex roofs
Extra time for tear-offs, decking issues, or multi-level systems
If your roofer was on and off the property in less than 5 hours, you’re probably dealing with:
Rushed shingle layout
Skipped underlayment
No re-nailing or repair of sheathing
Flashing that was bent, not custom cut
No attic ventilation check
Incomplete cleanup
Speed doesn’t equal quality.
At Tier-One Roofing, we build durability into our timelines — because shortcuts don’t survive Tulsa weather, and neither does poor planning.
Wondering if your roof was rushed? We can tell in 15 minutes or less with a quick inspection — and we’ll document everything with photos, not guesses. Call Tier-One Roofing and get a clear answer.
4. You Have Leaks — But No Storm History
If your home has developed roof leaks but hasn’t been hit by recent hail, wind, or tree damage, there’s a strong possibility the issue was there since day one.
Common signs of a poor install-related leak:
Dripping near interior walls or ceiling corners
Stains that show up during light or moderate rain
Water intrusion near vents, skylights, or chimneys
Attic moisture with no known storm event
Leaks like this often stem from:
Improper flashing
Misaligned shingles
Unsealed nail holes
Underlayment gaps
Vent caps installed incorrectly
Tier-One Roofing doesn’t guess. We find the exact entry point of the leak and trace it back to where the system failed — and why. That’s how we repair permanently, not temporarily.
5. Flashing Looks Sloppy, Mismatched, or Separated
Flashing is one of the most critical — and most mishandled — parts of any roofing job.
It’s what keeps water out of vulnerable areas:
Chimneys
Roof-to-wall transitions
Valleys
Skylights
Vents and pipe boots
Cheap roofers often:
Re-use old flashing to save time
Install face flashing only, skipping step flashing
Use sealant instead of metal
Leave gaps or unsealed corners
Over time, this leads to slow leaks that damage framing, insulation, and ceilings — all without a single shingle ever being out of place.
We’ve inspected Tulsa homes where the only real problem was hidden under flashing that wasn’t tied in properly — and the damage cost the homeowner thousands.
Tier-One Roofing always removes old flashing, cuts custom step flashing on site, and embeds it according to modern code and manufacturer specs — no glue-and-go gimmicks.
Flashing is the silent failure point on most roofs. If you haven’t had it inspected since install, now’s the time. Call Tier-One Roofing — we’ll show you exactly what’s happening, and what’s at risk.
6. Your Attic Is Hotter or More Humid Than It Should Be
Roof ventilation isn’t just about comfort — it’s about longevity.
When roofers skip proper ventilation steps, it leads to:
Heat buildup that bakes your shingles from below
Moisture retention that causes mold, rot, and early deterioration
Insulation damage that drives up your energy bills
Shingle curling or cracking within 5–7 years
Your attic should stay within 10–15 degrees of the outside temperature during most seasons. If it’s consistently hotter, you’ve likely got a ventilation problem — and it could be because:
Ridge vents were skipped
Soffit vents are blocked
Intake/exhaust balance wasn’t calculated
Roofers didn’t assess airflow at all
Tier-One Roofing checks ventilation on every roof — not just to pass code, but to extend the life of your shingles, decking, and attic components.
7. The Roofer Is Hard to Reach — Or Out of Business
The final and most frustrating sign: when the people who installed your roof are nowhere to be found when something goes wrong.
Many low-cost roofers in Tulsa:
Don’t have a physical office
Change company names every 12–18 months
Work under borrowed licenses
Avoid warranty calls or don’t honor them
Can’t provide documentation when asked
We’ve had dozens of homeowners call us after being ghosted by their original roofer — often with no receipt, no warranty, and no leverage.
Tier-One Roofing has real offices, real licensing, and real accountability.
We don’t disappear. We answer our phones. And we keep every client record — so your coverage, your install details, and your options are always accessible.
Not sure who installed your roof — or can’t get in touch with them? Call Tier-One Roofing. We’ll inspect the system, give you a full report, and help you understand what your options are — even if we weren’t the ones who did the work.
How Tier-One Roofing Helps Tulsa Homeowners Avoid Cut Corners
We’ve built our business around doing it right the first time — because doing it twice costs more and helps no one.
Here’s what Tier-One Roofing does differently:
Every crew is certified, supervised, and held accountable
Every project is photo-documented from tear-off to final cleanup
Every homeowner gets a written scope, clear pricing, and real expectations
Every install is reviewed by leadership before it’s signed off
Every question gets answered — before, during, and after the job
When you work with us, you don’t get guesses. You get proof.
You don’t get pressure. You get options.
And you don’t get shortcuts. You get protection.
That’s why we’ve become one of the most trusted roofing companies in Tulsa — not just because of what we fix, but because of what we prevent.
Think your roof was installed poorly? Or just want a second set of eyes?
Call Tier-One Roofing for a full workmanship inspection.
We’ll tell you the truth, back it with photos, and help you take the next step with clarity — not confusion.