Granule Loss on New Shingles
Jan 04, 2021Granule Loss on New Shingles
After the installation of your new roof, you are probably expecting nothing less than your roof to look its very best. Unfortunately, some homeowners are dismayed at a common sight of granules falling off your brand new asphalt shingles. Granule loss on asphalt shingles can be a worrying situation. However, it is not really as bad as most people think it is. It is actually quite a common occurrence and if you have just had a new roof put up on your property, there is a high chance of granule loss for the first week or so.
Asphalt shingles actually have these small granules embedded on its surface during the manufacturing process. During this process, however, not all granules are attached or embedded directly onto the shingle surface. Instead, some granules get caught in between other granules – so these are not attached at all. Because some of the granules are simply stuck between other embedded granules, there is a tendency for these to fall off eventually when moved around. Even during the transport of the shingles and during the installation of your new roof, some granules may have slowly started falling off. While a bit of granule loss is normal, there may be a need to inspect your roof to ensure that the actual intact granules are still in place.
Another thing to look out for is when your new roof experiences its first rainfall. During a downpour, you will probably notice more granule loss because some granules will be washed off with the rainwater. These will typically end up in the gutter. Be sure to clean your gutters to ensure that these granules do not cause any build-up or obstruction.
The important thing to note is that granule loss is not a sign of your roof being defective or faulty. Granule loss is normal. However, it wouldn’t hurt to assess the condition of your new roof to ensure that the intact granules are in place and that it is still in pristine condition.
Granule Loss
If your roof has experienced a few years of wear and tear but is still far from needing a new replacement, significant granule loss may be alarming. If you start to notice that your asphalt shingles are losing granules after just a few years of use, we recommend calling your local certified roofing contractor to assess the issue.
But, it may not be something to worry about. Granule loss, even after a few years, is still a normal sign of wear. Significant loss of granules can be caused by harsh weather conditions, such as heavy rainstorms, hail storms, or hurricanes.
The worst case that can cause shingle granule loss is if your roofing contractor has installed faulty shingles that are already damaged. This, however, is quite easy to spot since your roof will likely go bald after just a few weeks.
Typically, your asphalt shingles will lose those granules over time. When you begin to notice that your asphalt shingles have gone bald and have no granules left, that is a clear sign that it is time to get a new roof. Another cause of granule loss is foot traffic.
Importance of Granules
Just how important are asphalt shingle granules? These granules create a protective layer on your roof shingles. It protects your roof from harmful UV rays, direct sunlight, and a variety of harsh weather conditions. For roofs with colored asphalt shingles, the color is carried on the granules. Loss of granules will result in a loss of roof color over time.
Asphalt shingles typically have 3 main layers. The bottom layer is the backing material, followed by a layer of asphalt, and the last outer layer of granules. These granules give the asphalt shingles its distinct appearance, as well as other features such as color and energy efficiency. Losing some granules from this outer layer may be acceptable but our team at Wade Exteriors can help ease your worries by assessing the condition of your roof, whether its old or new, and determine whether the extent of granule loss is something to worry about.
If you are ever in need of a roofing contractor to handle various roofing problems, such as granule loss on your new shingles, call Waddle Exteriors today.
Cari S. 