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Asphalt shingles continue to be the most popular roofing material of choice among homeowners because of their versatility, durability and affordability. However, like any other roofing material, it is not without its issues that commonly manifest as they age.
One of the things you have to keep an eye out for is the loss of their protective granules.
In this blog, local residential and commercial roofing contractor Deschutes Roofing & Insulation explains what shingle granule loss tells you about your roof and gutters.
Shingle Granules in a Nutshell
The granules on the surface of every asphalt shingle are embedded into the hot asphalt during the manufacturing process, forming a final layer that provides the roofing material color and fire resistance. With these in place, they help protect your roof against the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, as well as the impact of other elements like strong winds and rain.
About Shingle Granule Wear
Granule loss is an indicator of normal wear and tear. Some can even get dislodged during residential roofing installations. These are the extra granules that didn’t embed fully into the material during manufacturing. After a few years after your roof is installed, you’ll begin to notice some of them scattered around your yard or collecting in your gutters. Fortunately, that shouldn’t be a cause for concern because it is a part of the roof’s aging process.
Excess granule loss can be observed when your roof is approaching the end of its lifespan. Once you see bald patches on the large part of the roof surface, you must get in touch with your local roofer as soon as possible for an inspection. Granules will also collect and clog your gutters, so be sure to have them removed.
Deschutes Roofing & Insulation is a veteran-owned and family-owned and -operated company offering high-quality roofing products and services.
We install asphalt shingle and metal roofing systems, as well as perform snow and ice dam removal. Give us a call at (503) 928-8750 (Beaverton) or (503) 967-9590 (Portland). You may also fill out our contact form to request a free estimate.