When Not to Worry About Your Roof: Causes of Granule Loss

Some granule loss is to be expected over the life span of your asphalt roof. In fact, manufacturers have already taken this into account by adding more granules to asphalt shingles than needed. There is, however, cause for concern if too many granules have fallen off a new roof or if patches have started to appear on shingles.

To help you get a better understanding of the causes of granule loss, JAM Roofing, a top roofing contractor in the state, lists the most common causes of granule loss below.

Roof’s Service Life

A high degree of granule loss is concerning for a new asphalt roof, but not for an old one. As shingles age, the adhesive properties of granules weaken. In this case, granule loss may simply be a sign your roof is nearing the end of its lifetime.

You can have a roofing company inspect your roof to estimate its remaining life span. In most cases, however, it’d be more cost-effective to get a roof replacement.

Extreme Weather Events

The most common cause of granule loss is extreme weather events. Storm winds can carry debris that might scratch your roof and loosen some granules in the process; the impact of hailstones can also remove some granules, leaving patches on your roof.

There’s always a risk your roofing system has suffered some form of damage after an extreme weather event. That’s why it’d be prudent to have a roofing contractor inspect it as soon as the weather clears up.

Manufacturer Defects

The loss of a significant amount of granules from a new roof may be due to manufacturer defects. To avoid such a problem, only use roofing materials from reputable brands, like GAF. And to prevent problems stemming from the installation, only hire certified and experienced contractors.

JAM Roofing is a GAF Master Elite® Weather Stopper® roofing contractor with nearly three decades’ worth of experience. As a testament to our dedication to our customers, we were awarded the GAF Consumer Protection, Installation and Training Awards.

To get a free quote, call (541) 644-8111 or fill out this form. We serve homeowners in Medford and Grants Pass, OR, as well as other nearby areas in Oregon.