Executive Summary
- Although some roof granules naturally fall off over time, finding large amounts in your gutters can indicate issues with your roofing system, demanding repairs or replacements.
- Granule loss can result from natural deterioration, extreme weather conditions, erroneous installation approaches, and neglected roof maintenance.
- The best way to prevent the loss of roof shingle granules is to schedule routine maintenance and inspections with a reliable roofing specialist. They have the experience and knowledge to identify and address issues early on.
- If you have to replace your roof due to granule loss issues, consider replacing your asphalt shingles with cedar shake, BRAVA composite roof tiles, stone-coated metal, or slate tiles.
Understanding Why Roof Granules Are in the Gutters
Finding roof granules in gutters may warrant a professional inspection. These small particles are essential to roofing shingles because they shield the underlying asphalt and fiberglass mats from harsh weather. Therefore, discovering large sums of roof shingle granules in your gutters can signify underlying problems.
It is normal for small amounts of roof granules to rub off your roof, especially during installation, repairs, or settling periods. However, if too many roofing granules are cast off, it may be easier for natural forces, such as rain and UV rays, to wear down your roof and hinder your shingles’ longevity.
Knowing why and how roof granules end up in gutters is crucial, so you should educate yourself on the considerations below. If you notice roof shingle granules in your gutters, be sure to address this issue as soon as possible. By having a reliable roofing company inspect and repair your roof as needed, you can preserve your roof’s durability and aesthetic appeal for as long as possible.
What Are Roof Granules?
Most roofing shingle granules are a mixture of grain-sized pieces of crushed rock and ceramic granules. These tiny particles play a significant role in a shingle’s efficacy and makeup, typically constituting about 1/3 of the weight of an asphalt shingle.
Roof granules are primarily embedded in asphalt shingles for fortification purposes. Some examples of benefits that roofing granules can offer include:
- UV protection – Granules are often made with materials like basalt, which naturally exhibit UV-resistant properties. Regardless, the granules’ extra layer can prevent UV rays from reaching the asphalt underneath.
- Water resistance – Granules’ non-absorbent, rocky construction can repel water, preventing pooling atop your vulnerable roofing materials.
- Fire resistance – Although their rocky makeup is naturally non-flammable, some granules are treated with fire-resistant chemicals for extra safety.
- Augmented aesthetics – The various colors and textures of granules can ornament your roof, giving it more visual appeal.
The main intent of roofing granules is to prevent the asphalt below from deteriorating. By protecting your shingles from the elements, granules can improve how long your roof lasts.
Why Are Granules Ending Up in My Gutters?
Shingle granules from roofs may end up in gutter systems for several reasons. Understanding the contributing factors mentioned below can help you make informed decisions to keep your roof as safe as possible.
Natural Wear and Tear
All building materials deteriorate over time. Therefore, it is natural for roofs to lose granules due to aging shingles. Shingles become more brittle as time passes, microcracking can occur, and adhesive properties can weaken. As the structural integrity of a shingle breaks down, it is more prone to shedding its granules. Foot traffic and debris on your roof can lead to more granules getting dislodged.
Severe Weather Conditions
Extreme weather can cause roofing granules to fall off even quicker than usual. Some examples of specific environmental conditions that can exacerbate granule loss are:
- UV radiation – Prolonged exposure to sunlight can deteriorate the asphalt and hinder adhesive properties, contributing to the loosening of granules.
- Heavy rain – Intense rainfall can knock granules loose and wash them into your gutters.
- High winds – Strong winds may dislodge granules, especially loose ones.
- Hailstorms – The physical impact of hail can significantly damage shingles and contribute to immediate granule loss.
- Extreme temperatures – Frequent fluctuations between high and low temperatures can result in thermal expansion and contraction that stresses shingles and dislodges granules.
- Ice and snow – The accumulation of ice and snow can add weight to your roof, exacerbating cracking and granule loss.
- Moisture accumulation – If your roof has poor drainage, standing water can spur mold and algae growth, weakening shingles and causing granule loss.
Places that experience all four seasons, such as Portland, Oregon, or other areas in the Pacific Northwest, are more prone to experiencing the severe weather mentioned above, making roof maintenance even more critical.
Improper Installation
Installation errors, such as incorrect nailing techniques and excessive overlapping, can lead to granule shedding. To avoid granule loss, the roofing team doing your installation should ensure shingles are appropriately bonded to their surface. Maintaining proper attic ventilation to avoid heat buildup that can expedite your roof’s deterioration is also essential.
Perform thorough research before hiring contractors to do your roof replacement to ensure proper installation practices and the use of high-quality materials. Hiring a reliable roofing company guarantees that your shingles will be the least vulnerable to granule loss.
Poor Roof Maintenance
A roofing specialist’s role in preventing granule loss does not stop after installation—a professional must perform roof maintenance on a regular basis. Neglecting roof care can contribute to granule loss in various ways.
Disregarding roof cleaning allows debris to trap moisture, giving mold and algae the perfect environment to germinate and deteriorate shingles. Additionally, failing to repair leaks and poor drainage quickly can cause storm damage to worsen, accelerating shingle erosion and granule loss.
Scheduling routine roof inspections with an experienced roofing professional can promote early detection, helping you catch issues before they worsen.
What Does Granule Loss Indicate About Your Roof?
In many cases, your roof serves as the first line of defense, protecting your home from various environmental stressors. So, granule loss can signify that your roof and underlying building materials are vulnerable to the dangers of harsh weather.
Granule loss is a form of deterioration. So, seeing lots of roof shingle granules in gutters can indicate that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan. Still, you should assess the severity of the situation by gauging how many granules have fallen off. In most cases, only about 12-15% of a shingle’s surface granules must fall off before the asphaltic mat is exposed and your roof’s longevity is jeopardized.
How the Severity of Granule Loss is Assessed
Contacting a trained roofing professional is the best way to assess how troublesome your granule loss is. Some steps that the roofing specialist may carry out during their inspection are:
- Inspect gutters for an accumulation of roof granules.
- Look for signs of cracking, curling, or discoloration in shingles.
- Consider the age of the roof.
- Check for signs of moisture damage throughout your roof.
In addition to the steps above, the roofing professional may also evaluate the type and quality of your roofing materials because some materials are more prone to granule loss than others.
How to Address Granule Loss
Thankfully, many ways exist to address granule loss and minimize its impact on your roofing structure. If you’re concerned about granule loss, consider the following steps.
Inspection & Assessment
Start by checking for missing granules and visible roof damage from the ground level. Are portions of your roof discolored, sagging, or missing shingles? If so, contact a professional as soon as possible to get advice on how to remedy the issue.
Examining your gutters is a great way to gauge the quantity of fallen granules, but scaling a ladder or climbing atop your roof can lead to dangerous falls. In fact, every year, about 500,000 people seek medical attention for ladder-related injuries. This is one of the many reasons why it is essential to rely on a roofing professional with the experience and equipment needed to do the job safely, quickly, and effectively.
Repair & Replacement Options
Depending on the extent of damage your roof has incurred from granule loss, repairing or replacing affected shingles may be necessary. This process should only be performed by a trustworthy, detail-oriented roofing team to avoid future damage from improper installation.
Before planning out a roof replacement, your contractor should be able to suggest asphalt shingle alternatives that offer more durability and fit the needs of your environment. Some examples of roof types that do not typically have granules are:
By opting for one of the roofing materials mentioned above, you can avoid the issues of granule loss. Nevertheless, each roof type will have a unique set of pros and cons, making it important to ask a professional to recommend the best roof types for the Pacific Northwest or whatever region you live in.
How to Prevent Granule Loss
As mentioned above, the best way to maintain the quality of your roof and minimize granule loss is to schedule routine inspections and maintenance services. Doing so can help you identify and address potential problems early on. Suppose you have a professional who regularly performs gutter cleaning at your property. In that case, they will likely notice if there is an unusual amount of roof granules in your gutter.
In addition to having a professional inspect and maintain your property, ensure your roof is clean and free from debris that can trap moisture and cause damage. Some examples of ways you can keep your roof clean and moisture-free include:
- Trimming overhanging branches.
- Installing proper attic ventilation.
- Carefully raking or blowing off snow or debris.
- Conduct post-storm checks.
Again, it is best to avoid mounting your roof, even regarding the tips above. Prioritize safety by remaining on the ground level and having a roofing specialist perform any climbing-oriented tasks.
Maintain a Healthy Roof With Roof Life
Noticing roof granules in gutters is usually a sign that the roof needs professional attention. These tiny stone and ceramic particles protect your shingles from UV rays, rain, and other harmful natural forces. If too many fall from your roof, it can make underlying building materials vulnerable to damage, shortening the lifespan of your home’s components.
Finding roof shingle granules in gutters is usually due to natural wear and tear, severe weather conditions, inadequate installation processes, or poor roof maintenance techniques. Understanding these reasons for granule loss can help you take action before more significant issues arise.
Roof Life of Oregon has substantial experience performing roof maintenance services throughout Portland, Oregon. Our team of highly qualified roofing professionals can guarantee your roof lasts as long as possible by quickly and accurately detecting problems and proposing effective and affordable solutions.
Contact us today for a free roof inspection with a complimentary estimate for recommended repairs or replacements.