A shingle roof is a great way to protect your home from the elements but requires regular maintenance. The most common cause for shingle granule loss is poor ventilation or improper installation.
What is Asphalt?
Asphalt is a mixture of minerals that include clay, sand, and water; these ingredients are heated until they become liquid. They solidify into an adhesive paste that can be applied to surfaces such as concrete or wooden boards (shingles).
When this material dries out, it becomes rocklike, making it much harder than regular bricks or stones if used alone without any additional support materials added to them beforehand. This means asphalt shingles will last longer than other types because they’re stronger overall since there isn’t anything else holding them up besides themselves!
What are shingle granules?
Shingle granules are the small pieces of Asphalt that cover the shingles. They’re made of recycled rubber and Asphalt, and they can be anywhere from 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter.
The cost of replacing a roof depends on how much damage has been done to it over time, as well as other factors such as how long you have had your home (if you’ve been living there for more than ten years, chances are you’ll need more work done than if you’ve just moved into town).
However, it’s essential not just to focus on costs alone when comparing options.
How does asphalt shingle granule loss take place?
The asphalt shingle granule loss is a term used to describe the amount of Asphalt in the shingles lost due to various causes. Shingle loss can occur during installation, curing, and transportation. The amount of Asphalt lost during these processes depends on multiple factors, including temperature, humidity, wind speed/direction, and duration of exposure.
During installation, asphalt shingles will lose some granules due to physical damage or defects in the roofing system. This generally occurs at corners with large voids or cracks in the roof decking. Shingle loss can also happen if the roof is not adequately prepared before installation. For example, suppose there was not enough time for the roofer to apply rough-in flashing around penetrations such as skylights or chimneys before installing new shingles over top of them. In that case, some of those granules may be lost when installing new shingles over top of these areas.
Asphalt shingle granule loss can also occur during curing and transportation due to changes in temperature and humidity levels during this process. For example, if there is not enough ventilation around your roof project
How to identify the granules and their causes?
It is easy to tell when the shingle granules are loose and ready to fall off your roof. Shingles over a driveway or sidewalk will show signs of changing color and chipping at the edges. If you see these signs, it’s time for action.
The bottom line is that asphalt shingles need regular care to maintain their strength, appearance, and durability.
If you do see granule loss on the shingles, it is not necessarily a bad thing. Most of the time, the granules are there only to protect the Asphalt from UV rays and water damage. The granules will eventually wear off with years of weather exposure.
Common causes for shingle granule loss
- Wind
- Sun
- Rain
- Ice/Snow
Fire and its heat (e.g., a house fire) can cause asphalt shingle granules to expand or contract, causing them to break off. This can also happen if there’s a fire at night when the temperature is colder than usual. The same thing happens with mosses and algae; these two organisms can grow on your roofing materials and make them brittle enough to break under their weight if the conditions are right for them.
There’s another possibility if you live near water (like lakes). Water causes asphalt shingle granules to expand as they absorb moisture from wetting down their surfaces; this expansion increases friction between these grains against each other—causing breaks where one grain slides over another until eventually both break off into pieces.
Temperature changes also contribute to shingle granule loss. Asphalt shingles can expand or contract when temperatures rise above freezing, causing them to break off. This can happen when there’s a cold snap during the winter months because the Asphalt’s molecules become more rigid and brittle as they freeze.
The shingles are meant to last for about 20 years, but if the granules start to fall off, they might prematurely replace your complete shingle roof.
Shingles are made of Asphalt, and the granules embedded in them are stone. Granules give the shingles their color and their resistance to the elements.
How will it affect the shingles?
A shingle falling off the roof may signify asphalt shingle granule loss. The granules play a vital role in the longevity of your shingles, so if they fall off and are not replaced, your roof will lose its ability to protect itself from wind and water damage.
This means you’ll see water leaking through the cracks in your ceiling or seeping between the tiles on your walls. If this happens too often or at all during heavy rains or snowstorms, it could lead to more serious issues like mold growth on walls and ceilings inside homes built before 1975 (if there was no insulation).
This can happen for several reasons:
- Poor installation is often a cause of granule loss. -Wind from storms or debris that falls onto the roof during high winds may also be responsible for some granule loss.
- If left untreated, granule loss can severely degrade the appearance and performance of an asphalt shingle roof. If there’s too much exposure to sunlight, the shingles will lose their ability to keep out water—this means that if your roof starts leaking, it will likely be due to granule loss.
How to prevent shingle granule loss?
- Remove leaves and other debris from the roof.
- Install a gutter guard. A gutter guard will prevent rainwater from entering your home by creating a watertight seal between your siding and gutters, keeping them clean of debris that could cause shingle granule loss.
- Install a leaf guard. A leaf guard will also help keep leaves out of your gutters, but it does so by using suction cups on each side of the gutter to hold it in place while you’re climbing around outside on rainy days (or even just when you want to make sure you don’t slide off). Suppose this sounds like something that would work for you. In that case, plenty of companies offer this type of product at different prices—and most offer additional benefits such as clearing snow off roofs quickly without having to see through ice first!
When should you call a roofer?
- If the granules are falling off. When the granules fall off in large quantities, and the shingles are loose, it’s time to contact a professional.
- If there is an issue with your asphalt shingle roof (is it starting to crack or crumble?), it is causing damage or water leaks into your home.
Shingles are not impervious to the elements. Strong winds can cause them to “lift ” and loosen their grip on the roof’s surface. Heavy rainstorms can saturate underlayment material beneath shingles, causing it to sag into sagging areas where water collects more quickly than expected because of poor drainage.
When is it time to consider a roof replacement?
- If you have shingle granule loss and your roof is less than 20 years old, it may be time to replace it.
- If your roof is more than 20 years old and has many granules lost, consider replacing it as soon as possible.
The reason for this is that the granules on asphalt shingles serve several essential functions:
- They protect the asphalt layer of each shingle from the sun’s harsh rays.
- They provide color to your roof to match your house and neighborhood.
- They help reflect heat away from your home in the summer, reducing energy costs.
- They act as a barrier to water penetration into your attic.
As the granules are lost, these functions become compromised. That’s why it’s essential to replace your roof if there is significant granule loss.
Conclusion: A better way to handle the Asphalt Shingle Granule Loss
If you’re noticing more granules than usual in your shingles, it’s crucial to understand how they work. They are meant to last for 20 years, and if they start falling off earlier than expected, they can prematurely replace the entire roof. It’s also essential not just to pay attention during rainy weather but also during dry periods as well.
Need roofing assistance? Better call Statewide Roofing Experts!
We provide exemplary roofing services in North Carolina at prices you wouldn’t believe. So, pick up that phone and call us at (336) 480-1824 today.