A Quick Guide To Asphalt Roofing Granules

Asphalt shingles are the most popular type of material used in residential roofs. In fact, there’s a good chance that your roof is also made of asphalt shingles. That said, you have to be familiar with some things related to this particular type of roofing. Today, we’re going to take a look at a commonly seen factor in asphalt roofing: asphalt roofing granules.

Asphalt shingle granules are bits of asphalt found on the surface of an asphalt shingle. Over time, these granules tend to come off due to erosion. You will typically find eroded granules along the gutter as a mass of black grainy sediment.

Ideally, you want the asphalt shingle granules to stay on the shingles for as long as possible. However roofers say that granules will end up dislodged one way or another. The good thing about granule loss is that it’s not always a cause for concern, and it can even be used as an indicator that you need to replace your current shingles.

The only time you should really be concerned about your shingles losing granules is if the rate of erosion is abnormally fast. If that’s the case, then your shingles are already stripped of their main defense against the harsh elements, compromising their ability to keep the rest of the home safe. If it gets to that point, you need to get help from a roofer ASAP.

Because checking the roof by examining granule loss can be a tricky issue, we recommend having inspections done by a certified roofing professional on a regular basis. By having your roof checked for granule loss at least once a year, it’s possible to have an idea of how slow (or fast) your roof is deteriorating so you can prepare for possible repairs or replacements months ahead.

Want to learn more about asphalt roofing granules and shingles? Get in touch with us. Punum Roofing of Houston, Inc. is the leading roofing contractor in the area. Call us at (713) 528-8974, or fill out this contact form to request a quote.