Roof shingles are made of asphalt, which is a type of roofing material. The granules on the surface of these shingles help protect them from the sun and other natural elements that can cause damage to both your building’s exterior and interior.
There are many different reasons why you might see your roof lose its granules.
Here are some common causes:
You Have a New Roof
If you have a newer roof, granule loss isn’t something to be too concerned about at first. New roof granule loss is typical and inevitable, even if your roof is in excellent condition.
The asphalt roofing granules you’re seeing were most likely loosened by the roofers, and they’re almost certainly due to an overabundance of granules on the roof. Although some asphalt shingle granule loss is acceptable and unavoidable, don’t get alarmed if you detect granule loss with your new roof.
If you find that much asphalt roofing granules continue to fall from the roof after a lengthy period of time, contact a professional. There might be an issue with the roof’s installation.
Excessive Heat
Roofs in hotter climates tend to lose their granules more quickly than roofs in cooler areas because asphalt becomes soft at higher temperatures, reducing protection against UV rays and water intrusion into the underlying materials.
Your Roof is Damaged
If a section or area of a roof has been damaged due to fire, windstorm or hail, there may be areas where the granules have been lost completely. The best way to fix this is by replacing these shingles with new ones, which come pre-coated and provided in a variety of colors and sizes depending on your needs and preference.
Your Roof is Over-Filled
It’s possible that your roof has too much asphalt. When this happens, the excess granules are pushed to one side of the shingle or another, causing them to fall off more easily due to gravity. You may need a new set of shingles if you find yourself with an overfilled roof.
Your Roof is Too Old
Roofs that are over ten years old will eventually lose their asphalt granules. There’s not much you can do about it except to have a new roof installed as soon as possible, but there are some things you can check on your own before calling in the professionals.
A general inspection of the roof should look for any signs of water damage, so check the roof decking and underlayment. Ensure that your gutters are clean as well to help prevent standing water from accumulating on top of your shingles.
If you aren’t sure and you think you may need your Orlando roof repaired or replaced, Janney Roofing will be happy to come out to inspect your roof.