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Have you ever been on a ladder or on top of your roof and notice tiny rocks in your gutters? Or maybe you have seen a pile of gravel at the end of your downspout. You might be asking yourself what are these little rocks, where did they come from, and do they mean anything?
What Are Those Little Rocks?
If you have asphalt shingles, you might have noticed these little rocks. When asphalt shingles are made, mineral granules are pressed into the hot asphalt. These mineral granules are basically lots of little rocks and create the color of the shingles as well as protect the roof from harmful UV rays. They also make the shingles more durable, fire-resistant, and lengthen their lifespan.
When there is the right amount of granule coverage, a roof can endure years of rain, wind, hail, and other elements without the materials deteriorating. Nonetheless, over time, these granules become loose and wash off the roof and into the gutters.
It is common to see small amounts of granules come off and wash into the downspouts as your roof becomes more exposed to the elements. You will notice they look like little rocks, and you might see them in different places as your roof ages. A few granules after a storm is nothing to worry about and a loss of granules over time is normal; however, it does contribute to the eventual need of a roof replacement.
What Does It Mean When There Are Granules in Your Gutter?
Depending on how old your roof is and its overall health, seeing a lot of granules in your gutters could mean a few things.
If you have a new roof, it is standard for your roof to lose some of the granules while the shingles adjust to its new life as a roof. This happens due to some of the granules coming loose during the packing, shipping, and installation of the roof process. It is normal to see granules be washed into the gutters and downspouts after a new roof has been installed. The loss of granules will cease, so there is no need to worry.
After a storm it is normal to see an increase in granules in your downspouts caused by heavy rain or hail that loosened the granules. It is common for this to occur and does not necessarily mean your roof is weakening. However, if you do notice a large number of granules to the point that it appears gravel is in your gutters or coming out of your downspouts, your roof might be getting close to the end of its lifespan. If so, you might begin to observe your shingles looking spotty or bare in places and you should contact a professional roofing company to assess before further damage is done.
What Should You Do If There Are a Lot of Granules in Your Gutters?
Your roof is an investment that you want to take care of and not ignore what might seem like a minor issue. Tesson Roofing & Exteriors, LLC has answered many roofing questions and would be happy to answer any that you have. The loss of some granules here and there is standard, but a large amount over a period of time could mean it is time for repairs or a new roof. If you are worried about the health of your roof, give us a call at (314) 932-1042! We would be delighted to provide a free inspection and offer our insight.