Honest Roofer Spills: Bad Installs, Missing Flashing & Why Most New Roofs Still Leak in Phoenix

In this episode we sit down with Tanner Kay, owner of Ironwood Canyon Roofing (Mesa / East Valley), for a real, no-BS conversation about roofing in Arizona. Tanner has over a decade in the trades and just recently launched his own company (KB2 contractor’s license Jan 2025). He talks openly about the good, the bad, and the ugly of the roofing industry — from brand-new roofs that leak because of missed base flashing, to builder-grade shortcuts during the housing boom, to why he refuses to door-knock or hard-sell. What You’ll Hear: Why even 2–5 year old roofs are leaking (and the simple install mistakes causing it) Arizona ROC warranty rules vs. what “good” contractors actually stand behind How track homes and the housing bubble created lasting quality problems Tanner’s honest sales approach: “If it doesn’t need it, I tell them” Building a roofing company on word-of-mouth instead of aggressive marketing Getting the KB2 license so he can handle framing/truss repairs (like the tree that fell on a house) Offering financing the right way (and how Joist made it easy) Why he loves walk decks (and how to do them properly so they last) The mindset books that changed how he runs his business & life Growing up 4th-generation Mesa High and why the East Valley will always be home Key Takeaways for Homeowners: A 2-year warranty is the legal minimum — demand more if you want real protection. Base flashing (and proper lacing) is frequently skipped on tile roofs — ask for photos. If a roofer pushes you hard for work that “isn’t urgent,” get a second opinion. Financing options matter — many good contractors now offer them without risking their own cash flow. Guest: Tanner Kay Company: Ironwood Canyon Roofing Service Area: Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, Chandler & East Valley Phone: 602-816-4171 Website: ironwoodcanyonroofing.com Timestamps (approximate, based on conversation flow): 0:00 – Bad roofs that are only a few years old 3:00 – Missing base flashing & common install fails 8:00 – Builder-grade shortcuts & housing bubble quality drop 14:00 – How Tanner started Ironwood Canyon (Hayden’s push + LLC) 20:00 – Biggest early struggles (picking a lane, financing, mindset) 30:00 – Why he hates door-knocking & loves honest referrals 40:00 – Walk decks done right + Arizona advantages 50:00 – Favorite books & personal growth 55:00 – Why roofing is a “need” that feels good to fix Call to Action: If your roof is leaking (or you’re worried it might be), get a free, no-pressure inspection from a roofer who will tell you the truth. Mention this podcast when you call Ironwood Canyon Roofing: 602-816-4171 Tags: Phoenix roofing, Mesa roofing, Gilbert roofing, honest roofer Arizona, roof leak repair, tile roof flashing, Ironwood Canyon Roofing, Tanner Kay, BNI East Valley, walk deck roofing, Arizona contractor tips