What Causes Shingle Granule Loss and Should You Be Worried?

You shouldn’t worry about a few granules that fell off your new asphalt roof. It’s natural for your roof to lose some at the start, but if your roof starts shedding too many granules, there is some cause for concern.

Knowing the causes of granule loss can help you identify and fix early issues before they worsen. Blue Sky Roofing, one of the top roofing companies in the state, lists them.

Extreme Weather Events 

The blunt force of extreme weather events, especially hail, can loosen granules, leaving exposed patches on your roof. It’s good practice to have a contractor inspect your roof after any extreme weather event to fix possible damage before it worsens.

Mechanical Forces 

The blunt impact of foot traffic is also a possible cause for granule loss. This is why a newly installed asphalt roof is bound to lose a granule or two at the start; the granules may have been unintentionally loosened by the contractors during roof installation. 

There’s no need to worry, though. Manufacturers have already taken that into account and added up to 40% more granules to their shingles. This means the level of protection provided by your roof hasn’t been reduced at all.

Age 

Some granule loss is expected throughout the roof’s lifespan. As the roof ages, the adhesion of the granules weakens, resulting in increasingly frequent and significant granule loss. In such cases, it would be better to get a roof replacement.

You can also have a contractor estimate the remaining lifespan of your roof to verify the need for a replacement.

Manufacturer Defects 

But what if there has been considerable granule loss despite your roof being brand new? In this case, manufacturer defects might be behind the problem. To prevent such problems, only buy shingles and roofing materials from reputable brands like GAF and only hire certified contractors to install your roof. Don’t forget to sign up for the best warranty offered by the manufacturer, as well.

Blue Sky Roofing, a GAF® certified contractor, offers premium roofing materials from reputable brands, like GAF. To get a free estimate, call (512) 649-8244 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Oklahoma City.