Granule Loss
Granule Loss
Are all these roof granules in my gutters normal?!?
The answer is, maybe . . .
In the shingle manufacturing process, up to 40% more granules than are necessary are applied to the shingles.
Granules have 3 main purposes:
- to protect the asphalt coating from UV rays
- to add aesthetic beauty (color of shingle)
- and, to provide fire resistance
It can be normal
The older the shingle becomes, the more granule loss occurs. Hail, wind, rain, foot traffic and a host of other factors can contribute to granule loss.
What matters is whether the water-shedding ability of the roof is negatively impacted and/or whether the remaining life expectancy of the roof is negatively impacted. A HAAG Engineering Certified Residential Roof Inspector can tell you the difference. And, you are in luck, because I am one!
Hitchhikers
To say it a different way, 12-15% of the granules on a new shingle are not securely attached to the shingle. They may be interlocked with embedded and adhered granules, but are not adhered themselves. These granules are commonly referred to as “hitchhikers”.
After a weather event, be it hail, wind or heavy rain, it can be observed that a seemingly abnormal amount of granules have accumulated in gutter systems. The newer the roof, the more granules one will typically observe as present in the gutter systems.
Granule loss does not always indicate damage, but it can.
DEFECTIVE SHINGLES HAVE GRANULE PROBLEMS
There is a well-known and commonly used shingle in North Platte, NE that has irregular patterned granule loss, which is a manufacturing defect.
Unfortunately, this usually happens after the warranty period is up from the manufacturer. Manufacturing defect is excluded by all insurance policies. Only a HAAG Engineering Certified Residential Roof Inspector can tell you whether the granule loss is from manufacturing defect. And, you are in luck, because I am one!
WHAT ABOUT YOUR SHINGLES?
If you are unsure as to whether your shingles are aging normally, have adverse weather in the form of hail or wind or are deteriorating from manufacturer defect, please contact us for a FREE roof inspection.
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This blog is NOT legal advice. It is not insurance policy advice. You should consult and attorney and/or a licensed insurance agent for your specific situation.
