Why Do Shingles Lose Granules?

Asphalt shingle tiles are made of granules that play an essential part of our roofs. Besides providing our roofing with aesthetic appeal, these bits also protect the integrity of roof shingles from outdoor elements.

However, there will come a time when your home’s roof shingles will begin shedding their granules. Does this mean there’s a problem with your roofing?

Let’s learn more about granule loss in shingles and why they happen.

Reasons for Granule Loss in Asphalt Roof Shingles

It’s quite normal for roof shingles to shed granules, and there are many reasons why this happens. It’s important to know these reasons, so you can recognize whether your roof’s granule loss is normal or not.

These are the main reasons why your asphalt roof shingles are losing their granules:

1. You Just Installed a New Roof

Granule loss can happen to recently installed roofing, but this doesn’t automatically mean that there’s a problem with it. The granules you’re seeing from the new asphalt are most likely just excess that were loosened by the roofers.

During the roof installation, some granule loss is to be expected. However, this should decrease as time goes by.

If you start noticing continuous granule shedding, then you might have a problem.

2. Your Asphalt Roof Shingles Are Old

As your asphalt roof shingles age, their quality will slowly decline, and they might start to shed granules. This is only natural; the constant sun and weather exposure can cause the roof to have decreased flexibility in the long run.

It’s important to note that asphalt shingles will start experiencing gradual loss of granules eventually. This is common in old shingles and is nothing to be worried about. You might even notice that some granules will break free occasionally from your shingles.

If you notice your roof shingles are starting to experience rapid loss of granules, it’s vital that you fix any issues as soon as possible. There are times when foot traffic can lead to shingles and granules loosening up and falling off.

Roofing systems are more prone to having severe granule loss as they grow older. That’s why it’s best to replace your old asphalt roof shingles to avoid the consequences of severe granule loss.

3. Your Roof Has Been Damaged by Hail

Hailstorms can damage your asphalt roof, causing it to lose granules. Eventually, your roofing system may even produce pitting or pockmarks that are unsightly. Constant hail damage will gradually reduce the lifespan of your roof and lead to problems later on.

If you’ve experienced a hailstorm or two recently, it’s best to get an assessment from a roofing professional. They can check the severity of the damage and let you know if your roof needs repair — or even a new set of shingles.

Even if your roof experiences normal storms, you should still check up on its condition periodically. This is especially true after a particularly bad storm.

You want to ensure that the rain gutters of your roof are fully operational, the shingles are all intact, and there are no bald spots or loose tiles on the roofing system itself. Constant bad weather can lead to problems with an asphalt roof, but solid materials, functioning gutters, and proper maintenance can keep your system in good condition for a long time.

4. Defective Roof Installation

Another common reason that your asphalt roofing system loses granules is improper installation. The shingles may have been defective, or your roofers didn’t install them correctly.

You can spot a roof installation defect when there are premature bald patches on your roof. When this happens, the new asphalt shingle substrate gets exposed prematurely, leading to a significant reduction in your roof’s durability and lifespan.

When either of these happens, you should contact your roofing company immediately and get your roof shingles replaced.

Conclusion

Granule loss is common in asphalt roof shingles, and it’s nothing to worry about right away. It could be because of excess granules that were generated upon production. Shingles that lose granules can also be due to age, hail damage, or defective tiles.

To make sure that your asphalt roofs are in good condition, it’s crucial to have an expert inspect them regularly. These professionals will let you know when there are problems with your roof that need to be addressed. They can schedule a repair for your asphalt shingles or get a replacement — depending on the severity.

As a homeowner, it’s important to know why asphalt roof shingles lose granules to ensure that your home’s roof stays in good condition.