What Is Granular Loss?

Asphalt shingles are the leading roofing material in the United States. Across the US, you’ll find a range of different types of asphalt shingle roofing systems.

People love them because they’re highly affordable, easy to install, and available in many styles and colors. They allow homeowners to style their homes according to their personal aesthetic preferences without breaking the bank.

One of the standout features of asphalt shingle roofing is its fiberglass coating. The roof shingles are covered in fiberglass granules to provide them with extra strength, UV protection, and longevity.

However, one of the first signs of a deteriorating asphalt roof is granular loss. If you think that your roof is experiencing significant granular loss, keep reading as we detail the signs as well as the causes of this common roofing problem.

 

How To Tell That You’re Losing Granules

If you’ve noticed that your roof is looking a little bare or that some areas of your roof are a little duller than the rest of the roofing system, this may be a result of a granular loss.

Another sign that your losing fiberglass granules is an accumulation of the material in your gutter system or on the floor just below your roof.

 

Causes of Granule Loss

 

Excess Foot Traffic

If you have people constantly walking on your roof, you can expect to lose quite a bit of asphalt granules. Construction boots tend to have quite an intense grip and weight. This causes significant friction and physical damage to your roof, to the point that it causes granules to loosen and break off.

 

Storm Damage

During intense weather conditions, your roof takes quite a beating from elements such as high wind speeds, hail, heavy rains, and more. If you’ve experienced a bit of severe weather recently, you can expect some granule loss to occur.

 

An Old Roof

If your asphalt shingle roofing system has reached the end of its lifespan, you can expect your shingles to shed quite a bit of their granules. Because your roof is quite old, the granules won’t be as secure as the day you first installed your roof.

Over the years, your roof has had to deal with overexposure to UV rays, physical damage, and simple wear and tear. If only a small area of your roof has shed its granules, replacing those shingles should be easy and affordable. However, if the problem has spread throughout your roofing system, it may be time for a roof replacement.

For more information about the health of your asphalt shingle roofing system, give Helsley Roofing Company a call today!