You can say a lot of things about roofs, and most of them might be true. But one thing that nobody can argue with is that roofs are tops. This statement can be taken in several ways. A roof does for the top of your home. It can also act like a "top" or lid for your home, keeping the rain out. Then, there's the third meaning, which is the one we happen to like the most: roofs are the best. (People say things are "tops" when they really like them.) Since we like roofs so much, we've decided to write about them, and you've discovered the blog where we do that.
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Roofs: They're Definitely at the Top!
What To Know About Roof Shingle Granule Loss
Brian Riley
Do you have a problem where your shingles are losing granules but not know much about it? Here are some things you need to know about this common problem with asphalt shingles.
What Are Roof Granules
Architectural and three tab shingles have a unique construction to them, with the material being made out of tar and crushed rock, a layer of polymer, and an adhesive. The top layer is made up of a layer or granules that are stuck to the top layer of the shingles that give the material the protection it needs from the sun and wind, which help your home stay in great condition. This layer of granules can come off over time, which is a problem for your shingles and your home.
Why Granules Fall Off
There are several reasons why granules can fall off your shingles, with it being possible for granules to come off soon after they are installed. This is normal, because there are likely loose granules on the material already, which fall off during the installation due to hammering the shingles into your roof.
However, there are bad reasons that granule loss can happen. Blistering happens due to the shingles getting so hot and popping upward, which causes granules to fall off and end up in your gutters and downspouts. This reduces the lifespan of the shingles and will cause them to need premature replacement. Poorly manufactured shingles can also shed more granules than higher quality shingles, so the quality of your roofing material matters.
Hail storms are another reason for granule loss, since the impact of hail is enough to knock the granules loose and create an indentation in the material that leaves a dark spot behind. If you have a very heavy hail storm happen in your area, check your gutters and downspouts to see if granules fell off. Rain can also cause gradual granule loss over time, with the water only causing a small amount of granular loss that may not be noticeable right away.
How Granule Loss Is Repaired
Be aware that a lack of granules is going to cause your roofing material to become brittle and break. There is no way to add granules back to the existing roofing material; you'll need to completely replace it so that you start fresh with brand new shingles. Reach out to a roofing contractor in your area that can identify those damaged shingles and help you with the replacement process.
For more information on roof shingles or other residential roofing services, contact a roofing contractor.
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