What Roofers Don’t Tell You About Storm Damage in New Neighborhoods
You moved into your home just a few years ago.
Everything still smells new, looks fresh, and feels under warranty.
Your roof? It’s only three, maybe five years old — barely broken in.
So when hail hits, or high winds rip through the block, you assume you’re in the clear.
After all, it’s a new home. What could go wrong?
A lot, actually.
At Tier-One Roofing, we’re seeing a wave of damage in newer neighborhoods across Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, and beyond — and many homeowners don’t even know it’s happening. They’re told their roof is “too new” to be a problem. That everything is “fine.”
But what most roofers and builders won’t tell you is this: new doesn’t always mean strong.
And the shortcuts taken during rapid construction booms? They're now showing up as premature leaks, hail failures, and warranty nightmares.
Let’s talk about why your new home might be more vulnerable than you think — and how Tier-One Roofing helps you find and fix the damage no one else is talking about.
Why Newer Roofs Aren’t Always Built to Last in Oklahoma
Over the past decade, Oklahoma has seen a surge in new residential development. Great news for housing — not always great news for homeowners.
Here’s what we’ve found on hundreds of newer homes:
Builder-grade shingles with minimal impact resistance
Improper nail patterns that void manufacturer warranties
Underlayment shortcuts (or skipped altogether)
Flashing installed incorrectly or left exposed
Ventilation systems that don’t meet current codes
Crews rushing installs on tight construction timelines
The result?
Roofs that look pristine from the street but can’t withstand a single major storm without failure.
We’ve inspected brand new neighborhoods where every roof shows signs of premature wear — lifted shingles, bruising from hail, improperly sealed vents, or missing drip edge.
These are homes that, by all appearances, are “too new to fail.”
But they’re failing anyway.
The Myth of the “10-Year Roof”
Many homeowners believe that just because their roof is under ten years old, it’s still protected. But age is only one part of the equation. Here’s why that thinking can get you in trouble:
Insurance won’t pay based on age — they pay based on damage. And newer roofs often qualify for replacement if the damage is documented properly.
Manufacturer warranties only apply if the roof was installed correctly. And most builder-grade installs don’t meet those requirements.
Small storm damage adds up. One hail event might not require replacement. Two or three? Now your roof’s life is cut in half — or worse.
Your “10-year roof” might not even make it to year seven if it wasn’t built to last in Oklahoma’s weather.
Tier-One Roofing helps you assess what your builder left behind — and what your roof can actually handle.
How Storm Damage Hides in Newer Roofs
Storm damage doesn’t always look like blown-off shingles or water pouring through your ceiling. On newer homes, the signs are often subtle — and easily missed unless you know exactly what to look for.
We regularly find:
Hail bruising that hasn’t penetrated the shingle but has crushed the fiberglass mat underneath — which fails months later
Wind-lifted shingles that reseal during dry weather, hiding the initial failure
Hairline cracks along roof ridges or hip caps that lead to slow leaks
Nail pops from thermal expansion in poorly ventilated attics
Seam separation along starter strips or flashing that weren’t fastened properly
These aren’t the kind of things you’ll notice from your driveway.
But left untreated, they’re exactly the issues that evolve into thousand-dollar repairs — and full insurance denials if not caught in time.
Live in a home built after 2015? Think your roof is still “fine”?
Call Tier-One Roofing for a no-pressure inspection.
We’ll show you what’s really going on up there — and whether your roof was built to stand up to Oklahoma storms.
Why Builder Warranties Rarely Cover What You Think They Do
Builder warranties sound great on paper: "Your home is covered for 10 years!"
But here’s the fine print most homeowners miss:
Roof warranties often expire after 1 year, especially for workmanship
They rarely cover storm damage — even if faulty installation made it worse
Builders frequently push issues onto subcontractors, who may be impossible to track down
We’ve seen countless homeowners try to file a builder warranty claim for roof problems, only to be told:
“That was the roofer’s responsibility.”
“It’s storm damage, not a warranty issue.”
“That warranty doesn’t cover roofing components.”
And by the time the finger-pointing ends, so does your coverage.
That’s why Tier-One Roofing encourages all new-home buyers — and especially those within the first 5 years of ownership — to get a professional, independent roof inspection after any major weather event. Not from the builder. From a trusted, licensed roofing company who works for you.
The Insurance Catch: Your Roof Is "Too New" to Inspect
This one's infuriating — and all too common.
After a storm, you call your insurance company to report a possible roof issue.
Their response?
“Your roof is too new to have taken damage.”
“We’ll wait to inspect it until problems show up.”
Translation: they want to wait until leaks develop, warranties lapse, and damage spreads — so they can pay less (or not at all).
Tier-One Roofing advocates for you.
We know what roof damage looks like — even in the early stages — and we document everything in writing and photos to support your claim before it gets denied.
We’ve helped homeowners in new neighborhoods get full roof replacements after storms — even when their insurance said "no" the first time.
Signs Your New Neighborhood May Be at Risk
If your home was built during a construction boom, there’s a good chance your roof wasn’t built to last. Pay attention to these warning signs:
Your builder advertised “standard roofing included” without naming a brand
Neighbors are already getting repairs or full roof replacements
You’ve had hailstorms or high wind events in the last 3 years
You’ve seen granules in your gutters or around downspouts
Your home was built in a development with tight construction timelines (2–3 weeks per home)
Tier-One Roofing inspects dozens of roofs in newer neighborhoods every week. The truth is, we know which builders cut corners — and which neighborhoods are experiencing early failures.
If you’re not sure whether your roof is holding up — or just looks like it is — we can tell you.
Don’t assume your new roof is stormproof.
Call Tier-One Roofing for a full inspection — free of charge.
We’ll show you exactly what’s happening on your roof and give you honest, documented answers you can trust.
How Tier-One Roofing Helps Homeowners in Newer Neighborhoods
Our mission is simple: protect people, not just roofs.
When you call us for an inspection or consultation, you get:
Experienced pros who know the difference between cosmetic and functional damage
No sales pressure, no upsells — just honest documentation
Photos, written reports, and clear next steps
Assistance with insurance, builder communications, or manufacturer warranty claims if needed
High-quality repairs or replacements done the right way the first time
We’re not here to scare you.
We’re here to keep you from learning the hard way — like too many homeowners do.
Your Roof Might Be New. That Doesn’t Mean It’s Safe.
In Oklahoma, “new” doesn’t guarantee “storm-ready.”
And it definitely doesn’t mean you’re protected.
If your home was built in the last decade — especially during a high-growth period — you owe it to yourself to find out what’s really going on above your head.
Because storms don’t care how new your house is.
And insurance won’t care either — unless you catch problems early.
Call Tier-One Roofing today. Let’s make sure your new home is ready for what Oklahoma throws at it.
You deserve a roof that lasts — not just one that looked good on closing day.