How Do Asphalt Roofs Lose Their Granules?
According to top roofing companies, asphalt roofing shingles are one of the most popular roofing materials in the country today. After all, you can see it on top of most American homes today. Also, it’s worth noting that the material of the roof that you choose can greatly affect the lifespan of your home, and asphalt roofs have proven their strength time and time again. This roofing material also works well with many kinds of home styles because it’s highly customizable and you’re sure to find one that best suits your needs.
The durability of your asphalt shingle roofs come from a protective coating made of mineral granules that protects it from the elements. Aside from the protection it offers, many homeowners and contractors alike love this material due to its ease of installation since it’s considerably lighter than other roofing materials. However, in the event that your asphalt roof gradually loses their granules, it reduces its protective properties and leaves your roof vulnerable to the elements.
In this post, your trusted residential roofing contractor, Dry Tech Roofing, explains in detail how asphalt roofs lose their protective granules and how important they are to your home.
Functions of Granules
Asphalt shingle roofs are manufactured with granules that are adhered to it. These granules are made from crushed stone that are then filtered so that they all have identical sizes. Afterwards, they are then colored to give your roof a distinct character along with ceramic coating.
Having a roof without these granules is akin to that of having a big piece of paper protecting your home. Asphalt roof granules give your roof the ability to shed water and protect against harsh exterior elements such as harmful UV rays from the sun, algae growth, forest fires. Overall, they protect your roof from wear and tear.
Over time however, your granules and sealant will begin to fail due to a variety of reasons. Read on as your trusted roofing contractors explain more about them.
Normal Mineral Granule Loss on a New Roof
Even if your asphalt shingle roof is newly installed, there will be loose mineral granules present. These are excess granules that are shaken off during the installation as your contractors have walked over them and have washed the surface repeatedly. As long as your roofers do not commit any mistakes during the installation process, your roofing system should be fine. You’ll usually find these loose granules washed down into your gutters, but if this persists, you’ll need to ask your roofing contractor to take a closer look as to why this is happening.
Blister Rashing
Another notorious cause of granule loss in your roof is due to “blistering”. These blisters look like craters or pimple-like protrusions that appear on your roof. While some roofing companies deem this merely as a cosmetic issue, it’s definitely something not to look over if it bothers you as a homeowner. In fact, this is one of the first signs of wear and tear on your roofing system.
These blisters are formed due to excessive heat and moisture trapped within your attic. Since moisture needs to escape from your home, it slowly finds its way out of your attic, into your decking, and eventually into your shingles. As the heat gets trapped in the shingles, bubbles slowly start to form and will pop eventually due to the trapped moisture, leaving behind these crater-like blemishes known as blisters. Keep in mind that you should be careful not to walk over a severely-blistered roof as this can cause further damage such as severe granule loss or pits.
Granule Loss on Old Asphalt Shingle Roofs
According to roofing contractors, an asphalt shingle approaching the end of its service life will begin to wash off all the granules and shingles and leave behind large, blank areas, showing a black shingle substrate. These shingles are a lot more porous than those shingles with their granules intact. In turn, this could lead to more issues such as roof leaks, mold growth, or even a roofing collapse if the structure underneath it is also compromised. Keep in mind that all roofs have an expected lifespan, no matter how expensive, well-maintained, and durable they are. There will come a time when they will fail and no longer perform their intended purpose. As such, you would want to have a roof replacement project for them to be functional again.
Granule Loss Due to Mechanical Forces
Your shingle roof can be damaged by simply being walked on as it loosens some of the granules that are used to coat the shingle. This can be a concern, especially if there are numerous contractors working on your roof at the same time. In turn, the areas on your roof with high foot traffic can leave behind bald spots, especially if it’s on an older roofing system. Remember that this isn’t the result of a product defect but damage caused by contractors. This is why it’s a good idea to only have a certain amount of roofing contractors working on your roof at the same time, especially with social distancing protocols in place. Also, working with a seasoned roofing contractor goes a long way as they’ll implement measures in order not to damage your roof as the project progresses.
Granule Loss Due to Hail Damage
Severe weather events such as hail can take a toll on your roofing system, especially if it’s an aged roof. Hail comes in multiple sizes and its abrasive nature can damage your shingles, producing pitting and granule loss which will reduce the lifespan of your roof, depending on the scale of the damage. To mitigate any further damage, make sure that you have your roof inspected by a licensed roofing contractor and listen to their recommendations on whether you should have your roof repaired or replaced.
Looking for a reliable residential roofing contractor to work with? Trust Dry Tech Construction. We’re dedicated to protecting your family, home, and investment. Even roofing manufacturers trust us because we trained under them. Call us at 700-600-3129 or fill out our contact form for a free estimate.