Granules In Gutter After Roof Installation

Since shingles are composed of thousands of these tiny granules it is not uncommon to shed a few.

Granules in gutter after roof installation.

Usually the loose granules on the surface of a roof wash down into the gutter in the first year after installation. Because each shingle has so many you usually don t have to be concerned about finding granules in your gutters especially if your roof is relatively new. And of course if the shingles are themselves defective they could continue to shed granules. As the roof ages some of these granules come loose from the asphalt layer.

As a local roofing contractor with a full range of services in roof repair and replacement we can guide you to the appropriate services for your home while following your budgetary needs. But it should be just a sprinkling not a dense pile like in the photo above of a shingle roof at midlife with a granule loss. Power washing the roof is a bad idea risking loosening more granules and shortening roof life. These granules stay on the roof for most of the roof s life span.

You can expect some granules to appear around the discharge of gutter downspouts or along the along the drip edge line on the ground where there are no gutters after the first couple of rains when your roof is new. While homeowners roofing contractors and gutter guard dealers may pass off the idea that shingle granules in gutters can be an issue i have a different perspective on this topic. In fact it s not uncommon to find a few loose granules in the gutter weeks after the roof is installed. Flying debris low hanging tree branches and algae and moss build up can all contribute to granular loss on your shingle roof.

How to clean gutters of roof granules it is typical for granules to shed from the roofing and deposit down into the gutter. However when this begins to build up over a period of time passing water is slowed and other particles collect in the grains. It s important to note that granule loss is a normal part of roofing wear and tear. Usually this happens after a period of years.

Most homes on which we install gutter guards have moderate to significant accumulation of shingles granules in the gutters. Given the origin of these granules a staple of any asphalt shingle roof your immediate instinct upon finding them should not be to fear for the integrity of your roof. However if your roof is aging and you are noticing an excessive amount of granules in your gutters on your lawn or even in your driveway you may need a roof replacement. If you are noticing granules in your gutter system or downspouts or if you simply notice that the tiles are balding this means that your roof materials are eroding and do require some attention.