You can expect some sand-like 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. 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 problem. Roofers walking on the shingles while installing the roof can’t avoid dislodging some of the rock granules.

    But excess granule loss from a newer roof is unusual. Here’s a few possible causes:

• Defective shingle product - A whole neighborhood of houses got replaced at the 5-year point here in The Villages by the manufacturer a few years ago due to premature deterioration.
• A severe storm - A strong thunderstorm is going loosen shingle granules, and a hail storm is even worse—usually also with pock-marked shingles.
• Tree branches rubbing on the roof - This creates clearly defined, swept areas of excessive granule loss.

    See our blog post Why is granule loss a problem for an asphalt shingle roof? to learn more, along with how to use granule loss as one way to evaluate the remaining life in your roof.  

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  To learn more about roofs and attics, see these other blog posts:

• Why is my roof sheathing sagging between the trusses?

• Why is granule loss a problem for an asphalt shingle roof? 

• What are the mistakes to avoid when doing attic improvements?

• What causes roof shingles to curl up at corners?  

• What causes shingles to buckle along a line on the roof?

• What causes leaks at a fake roof dormer? 

• What causes a sagging roof ridge line?

• What causes bubble-like blisters in a built-up and gravel roof?  

• Why does it cost so much more to replace a steep roof than a low slope roof? 

• What is "ponding" on a flat roof?

• Is an attic required to have a light by the building code? 

• How can I inspect my roof for hurricane damage?

• Why is premature curl of roof shingles a problem?

• How can I tell if a roof has more than one layer of shingles? 

• What are the common problems with attic insulation? 

• What is the life expectancy of an asbestos cement shingle roof? 

• What's the average lifespan of a roof?

• Why is it a mistake to replace a roof and not replace its flashings? 

• Why is there no attic access hatch in the house?

• What is the building code requirement for an attic access hatch, scuttle, or door? 

     Visit our ROOF AND ATTIC page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.