Should you be worried if your asphalt shingles lose part of their granules? What caused the granules to accumulate outside your front door due to yesterday night’s rainstorm? Is this normal? And can it be avoided?
Continue reading to learn what causes granule loss and when to call a professional roofer for a roof check.
The Purpose of Your Roof’s Granules
Granules are the outside layer of asphalt roofing shingles that provide additional protection to your roof. They protect the two underlying layers of your roofing tiles, the asphalt and fiberglass mat, from the elements.
Asphalt shingle granules also prevent rain, snow, and ice from accumulating on your roof and protect it from dangerous UV rays. They also provide another layer of fire protection to your house, providing additional security for you, your loved ones, and your belongings.
What Causes Granule Loss?
It’s obvious what causes your roof to lose granules. Among the most prevalent reasons are the following:
1. The age of your roof
The most immediate source of granule loss is the age of your roof. The asphalt bonds the granules to the roof shingles. The connection weakens with age; consequently, all types of wear and injury may pull the granules free. They may be found in your gutters, yard, or the base of your downspout.
2. Improper roof installation
When roofing contractors take shortcuts, considerable granule loss may occur. If your roof is losing shingle granules due to faulty installation, you may have additional underlying concerns, such as moisture intrusion. Water infiltration, for example, may develop and lead to expensive repairs or roof replacement if left untreated.
3. Severe weather
Since granules protect your property from storms, you may notice that intense weather, wind-driven rain, or hailstorms naturally release a few granules here and there.
On the other hand, extreme temperatures and severe weather might weaken the link between your roof granules, causing them to detach in more significant quantities over time. If you see a lot of granules in your yard or gutters after a heavy storm, do a complete visual assessment of your property. Check for bald areas on your roof.
If you see significant granule loss or other signs of damage, call a qualified roofer right once to conduct an inspection and reduce the chance of future injury.
4. Poor-quality roofing materials
Poor-quality roofing materials may quickly lose their shingle granules. Manufacturing flaws are most likely to blame for tiny bubbles or blisters on your roofing tiles and granule loss. If your granules become loose due to poor-quality materials, it’s time for a roof check. You may need a replacement to protect your house from harm.
5. New roof shingles
It’s common to lose some shingle grains following a roof replacement. Roofers naturally remove granules when they handle, cut, and nail your shingles to your house while installing a new asphalt roof. Don’t be startled if you see a few granules in your gutters right after your roof installation. It’s natural, and it will pass.
6. The climate in your area
The temperature in which you reside will directly impact how long your granules will remain intact and how long your present roof will endure. If your granule loss is considerable and your roof is many years old, You’ll have to replace it.
What Takes Place If Too Many Granules Are Lost From Your Roof?
If your roof is deteriorating and you observe considerable granule loss, call a roofer immediately and have it examined. While shingle granules provide weatherproof protection for your house, it is more exposed to the elements without them.
Following are some of the consequences of granule loss:
You may observe discolored or exposed areas on your roof.
Following a heavy storm, stroll around your house and inspect your roof. Take out your binoculars and move away from your property to look closer.
Suppose you notice a need for more consistency in the color of your roofing, a patchy appearance, a bald area, or damaged-looking shingles. In that case, it’s time to contact a roofing specialist and evaluate your roof.
Your roof’s lifespan may decrease.
Granules aid in the weatherproofing of your house. Without a sufficient number of them, the impact of your roof’s constant exposure to the weather would hasten its degradation.
You may need to replace your roof.
Your roof’s age and granule loss will indicate whether you need to repair or replace it. If your roof is old and you see granule loss during storms, you should get it checked by a reputable roofing service (like us!).
How to Avoid Significant Granule Loss
Owens-Corning asphalt shingles outperform other asphalt shingles. Since they are so carefully built, you won’t have to worry about granule loss if you use them for your roof replacement.
At Wayne NJ Roofing, we exclusively use Owens-Corning roofing shingles, the best on the market regarding long-term performance.
When we check your present roof, we give pictures and video proof of any identified defects and concerns so you know precisely what is happening with your roof.
