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R.06 · Residential roofing

Find it. Fix it. Document it.

Roof leaks are not always dramatic. Sometimes it is a slow brown stain that appeared over winter. Sometimes a drip shows up only during heavy rain from the east. Sometimes you find moisture in the attic and have no idea how long it has been there. The stain on the ceiling is not where the leak is. We find the actual entry point and fix it there.

Entry point foundFixed at the sourceBefore and after photosWritten warranty

Q: How do you find a roof leak that is not directly above the ceiling stain?

A: We start on the roof and work uphill from where the water would have entered. Moisture meters, close inspection at all penetrations, and a systematic check of every flashing point. Water always enters at the highest vulnerability. We find it, photograph it, and fix it there.

Leak calls are the most misdiagnosed service in residential roofing. Homeowners describe where the water shows up inside. Many roofers go straight to that spot on the roof and apply caulk. The leak stops briefly, then returns when the water finds the next path. We have fixed the same leak twice for people who had someone else try it first.

In Tulsa, the most common leak sources are almost never the shingle field. They are the transitions and penetrations. The pipe boot on the south slope that has been cracking since 2019. The chimney step flashing on the old Midtown brick that has been separating for three winters. The valley flashing on the east-facing slope that caught ice buildup in January. These are the places water gets in.

We fix it at the source. Not with surface caulk over the symptom. The repair holds because it addresses the actual failure, not the visible result. See our roof flashing repair and chimney flashing repair pages for the specific detail on those failure points.

Leak sources

The six places leaks actually start.

Most of these are not visible from the ground, and none of them are in the middle of the shingle field.
01

Cracked or deteriorated pipe boots

Rubber pipe boots around plumbing vents are exposed to Oklahoma UV every day. They crack, shrink, and separate from the pipe shank. This is the single most common leak source we find in Tulsa.

02

Chimney flashing failure

Old brick chimneys in Midtown and the surrounding neighborhoods flex and settle. Counter flashing separates. Step flashing bends loose. Water follows the brick into the attic.

03

Valley flashing corrosion or lifting

Valleys concentrate water runoff from two converging slopes. Corroded metal valleys or improperly installed woven valleys allow water under the shingles.

04

Skylight curb flashing

Skylights that were installed without proper flashing at the uphill curb are a frequent leak source in older Tulsa installations.

05

Ridge cap nails backing out

Nail pops along the ridge cap create small puncture points that let water infiltrate. They are almost impossible to see from the ground and easy to miss on a quick inspection.

06

Drip edge missing or improperly lapped

Missing drip edge at the eaves allows water to wick under the shingles in heavy rain. This is a common finding in re-roof jobs that were done quickly.

Our leak repair process

How we find it and fix it for good.

01/04

Trace the leak, not the stain

We start at the ceiling stain and work up into the attic if accessible. Then we go to the roof and work from the suspected entry zone uphill. Moisture meter confirms active vs. old intrusion.

Systematic
02/04

Identify the source

Every penetration, transition, and flashing point in the suspect zone gets checked. We photograph the entry point before we disturb it. This is your documentation.

Photographed
03/04

Fix at the source

Pipe boot replacement, flashing re-bed, valley repair, or shingle section replacement. We use the correct material for the repair, not surface caulk over a structural failure.

Correct method
04/04

Verify and document

After the repair, we verify the fix point is sealed and photograph the completed work. Written warranty on every repair. We come back if anything concerns you.

Written warranty

The longer water moves through your assembly, the more it costs.

(918) 978-2660Talk to a project manager todaySchedule leak repair
Why AE Roofing

We fix leaks at the source. Not on the surface.

A tube of roofing caulk applied over a separated pipe boot or a pulled-away flashing is a temporary fix. It lasts one to three seasons, sometimes less. Then the same leak comes back. We have replaced pipe boots that were caulked over two or three times by previous companies. Each attempt bought time but did not fix the underlying failure.

We replace the failed component. The pipe boot. The section of step flashing. The valley flashing that has corroded through. When the material is replaced correctly, the repair holds for years. We back that with a written warranty and a no-charge follow-up if you have any concerns.

Service area

Leak repair across Tulsa and:

Broken ArrowCoverage
OwassoCoverage
BixbyCoverage
JenksCoverage
Sand SpringsCoverage
SapulpaCoverage
ClaremoreCoverage
CatoosaCoverage
Roof leak FAQ

Questions about
your leak.

Call us if you have an active drip or visible moisture.

Call now
Water travels. It enters the roof at one point and can move along the decking, rafters, or insulation before it drips on your ceiling. The stain you see may be feet away from the actual entry point. This is why we trace the leak on the roof, not from the ceiling.
Cracked or deteriorated pipe boots around plumbing vents. Flashing that has separated from chimneys or walls. Valley flashing that has corroded or lifted. Shingle tabs that have blown loose in wind events. Age-related granule loss creating thin spots on steep slopes.
A bucket handles the symptom. The water is still moving through your assembly and can cause mold, wood rot, or insulation damage even when you do not see it actively dripping. Call us. Most leak repairs schedule within a few days and fix in a few hours.
New roofs leak for different reasons than old ones. Installation errors, a pipe boot that was not sealed properly, flashing that was not bedded at the chimney, or a nail pop that created a small entry point. Age is not always the factor.
We fix the roof. For the ceiling stain and any water-damaged drywall inside, we work with a restoration contractor. We can refer you to one or work alongside a company you already use.
Depends on the cause. If the leak is the result of storm damage, it is usually a covered claim. If it is due to normal wear and aging, most policies treat it as maintenance. We can help you determine which category it falls into before you file.
Ready when you are

The next storm
isn't waiting.

Whether your shingles are curling, your gutters are sagging, or you just want a second opinion before your insurer's deadline runs out, book the inspection. We don't charge for it, and we don't push for it.

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