What Causes Shingle Granule Loss & How To Fix It

Do you see lots of shingle granules lying around your home lately? These are tiny, sand-like grains that fall from the surface of your shingle roof. Shingle granule loss is common when hailstones or rainwater hit your roof.

If you have a new roof, minor granule loss can happen during shingle installation, which is not an issue. However, if you notice a significant amount of black, gray, or tinted grains in the roof valleys, gutters, and on the ground, it’s a problem that needs urgent attention.

Our roofing experts have answered all questions regarding shingle granule loss to help homeowners. This article will help you understand the condition of your roof so you can take the necessary steps to fix granule loss before it’s too late.

Let’s start by understanding why shingle granules are essential for your roof.

Why Do Roof Shingles Have Granules?

The small granules form the top layer of your roof shingles. These are made of mineral, rock, and ceramic particles, which protect the other layers of your shingles from damage and withering.

Provide UV Protection

Shingle granules help protect the shingles from UV light. These rays are harmful to the shingles, as they cause them to deteriorate over time. The granules reflect the UV light and keep the shingles in good condition, preventing premature failure of your roofing system.

Add Weight

The grains may look tiny and thin, but they help the shingles to remain thick and sturdy. One shingle has thousands of granules that play their part in adding weight to the shingles.

Enhance Curb Appeal

These granules also help enhance your home’s curb appeal. They add tone and texture to the roof. Manufacturers can mix and match different hues, giving appealing contrasts and patterns to the shingles. Leading brands like Owens Corning also offer patented technologies like ‘StreakGuard™Algae Protection’ to maintain the true shingle color for many years.

If you notice a sudden rise in granule loss, it is time to get a roof inspection and fix the issue. Otherwise, your shingles may soon start curling and develop blisters, mold, or algae. They will also become thin and can even blow off your house during high winds, which can lead to leaks and rot in your house.

But what causes the granules to come off? Can you stop it? We will now answer these questions.

What Causes Shingle Granule Loss?

Asphalt shingles can last for a long time. Under normal circumstances, some shingle granules come off over time due to withering. If you see more than the usual amount of granule loss, that could indicate that something is wrong. Granules can come off due to friction and impact. Here are the major causes of premature granular loss in shingles.

Low-maintenance

If your roof is damaged or poorly maintained, it is more likely to experience granule loss sooner than a well-kept roof. Weak shingles with falling granules cannot offer adequate protection against moisture, fire, heat, and cold.

Low-quality shingles

Inferior-quality shingles will suffer more extreme storm and hail damage. They can also be damaged by winds blowing under 35mph. As a result, these shingles will naturally lose granules faster and in huge quantities.

Hail-Damage

Hailstones (small or large) can break the shingles, causing a large number of granules to come off. If you live in a hail-prone area, this will happen each year, and your shingle will lose granules quicker than in regions where hail is not a common occurance. Hailstones can cause a lot more damage than just granule loss. You can also read our detailed guide to roof hail damage to learn more about it.

Improper Cleaning Methods

Shingle granule loss can be exacerbated when you use false methods to clean your roof. Shingles will quickly lose granules with high water force if you use power/pressure washing. It’s better to get professional cleaning services once or twice a year. The staff will use soft-cleaning methods with harmless chemicals to clean your roof from top to bottom.

Heavy Foot Traffic

Walking and certain types of debris on the roof can also cause granule loss. If you walk on your roof very often, you are walking on the last layer of the shingles– the granules. Certain types of animals including squirrels can climb on roofs and affect the shingle granules as well.

Homeowners with new roofs also spot shingle granules around their homes, but it’s not always the same. If you have a new roof, you may wonder if this is normal.

Is It Normal For A New Roof To Lose Granules?

The answer is yes. It’s normal for a new roof to lose granules for 3-4 days. That’s because some granules can come off and stick on the shingles due to transportation and installation. So don’t worry! This is a perfectly normal phenomenon for homes with brand-new roofs. The good news is if you choose high-quality shingles and reliable contractors, you won’t have to worry about heavy granule loss for a long time.

If you suspect your roof is shedding too many granules, you must handle it quickly. If you are wondering how to repair granular loss on your roof, you must first understand whether or not the situation is under control.

How To Repair Granule Loss On Roof?

Granules are embedded with the shingles during the manufacturing process. Once they come off, there is no way to infuse these mineral grains back into the top layer of your shingles (adhesives don’t help). The only solution to fix severe granule loss is replacing the affected shingles.

If you notice severe granule loss, you must call your local roofing contractor right away. They will send their roof inspectors to assess your roof’s condition and explain whether the granule loss is normal or severe. Based on the assessment, they will suggest ways to maintain your roof or repair shingle granule loss. If you live in Mayville, Fond Du Lac, or other surrounding areas in Wisconsin, we can help you figure out the exact condition of your roof and what you should do to keep it in good condition.

Get The Best Roof Help For Shingle Granule Loss

If you are worried about shingle granule loss, BRH Enterprises is here to help you. Granule loss doesn’t always need an expensive fix, but how will you know? Our roofing experts with years of experience can tell what condition your roof is in, and the best way to repair any damage. We are proud to be the most reliable and honest roofing contractor in Southeast Wisconsin.

We understand that you never expect to see your home in bad shape, so we continue to share the knowledge we’ve gathered over the years. If you want our experts to assess the granular loss on your roof, call us for a free consultation and roof inspection at (920) 249-4228. BRH Enterprises has an exceptional team that specializes in shingle roof installation and repair services. We will make sure that you don’t worry about your roof for a very long time.