If you’ve been doing your own roof inspections, you may notice asphalt shingle granules in your gutters and mixed in with the rainwater runoff at the downspouts. While granule loss can be an indicator of a roofing problem, it isn’t always the case. In today’s post, local roofing company Roof Masters takes a look at its causes, and weighs in on whether or not it’s a cause for worry.
What Causes Asphalt Shingle Granule Loss?
To better understand what causes granule loss on asphalt shingles, let us first discuss how they’re made. Asphalt shingles begin their life as sheets of fiberglass or recycled paper pulp, the latter being known as “organic” shingles. These sheets are then soaked in hot liquid asphalt, then granules are pressed onto them while the asphalt is still hot. The granules are made from crushed rock, and are sometimes mixed with different types of granules for additional features. For example, copper flakes are added to the batch if the order is for algae-resistant shingles.
Since adhesives are not used in the roofing manufacturing process, it’s only normal for asphalt shingles to shed some granules. In fact, you can expect a fair amount of granules in your gutters during the first few weeks of installation, as the roof is put through its paces.
Should You Be Worried About Granule Loss?
The quick answer to this question is: it depends on the amount of granules. The initial shedding of granules should taper off in the months that follow the installation. After that, you should expect to find just a few specks. It may shed more granules during particularly heavy rainfall.
The problem is when you’re seeing signs of a “balding” roof — that is, the shingles are losing too many granules that the asphalt layer is starting to show. The exposed asphalt layer is even more apparent on light-colored roofs, appearing as dark spots. The usual culprits are impact damage or unusually strong winds, but manufacturing defect is, so far, the most common cause. Since asphalt is more vulnerable to damage caused by UV radiation, roofing deterioration can follow if granule loss is not addressed by your roofer. This is where good warranty coverage can prove to be useful. As mentioned above, granule loss can be attributed to a factory defect, and a good manufacturer’s warranty should be able to cover most, if not all, of the shingle replacement costs.
If you are noticing signs of granule loss, give the roofers at Roof Masters a call at (301) 230-7663. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a free inspection and estimate. We serve Rockville, MD, and the surrounding communities.
