When a roofing company in Independence Kansas installs asphalt shingles on top of wood decking, those shingles are actually made of at least three materials. The underside typically is made of fiberglass with asphalt over that. On top are granules made of ceramic, minerals or stone.
The Purpose of Shingle Granules
The bead-like materials on top of shingles allow the roof to manage more wear over time. They also are responsible for the color of the roof. Homeowners may see these granules now and then at the bottom of the downspout extender or in the drainage gutters when they are cleaning out the leaves. It’s important to know when this loss of granules is important and when it doesn’t matter.
Early Shedding
Depending on how well a shingled roof is maintained by the homeowners or a contractor such as Falcon Roofing, it can typically last 20 to 30 years on average, or even longer. In this region, shingles are not often affected by harsh winter elements, so that can extend the lifespan of the roof. After 15 or 20 years, homeowners may expect to start seeing larger amounts of those loose granules again. It’s a sign that the roof is becoming worn. Browse our website to read about the services offered.
Later Years
When the shingles are first installed by a Roofing Company in Independence Kansas, it’s normal for them to lose some of the granules when it rains. After a while, this will stop happening or the number of granules coming down the downspouts will be dramatically reduced.
Drainage System Considerations
In some instances, a roof gutter drainage system has been designed so upper-level downspouts empty onto the roof over the lower level. This design is often seen, but it is inadvisable because so much water pours down on the shingles from the downspout. That will wash away more beads from those shingles than would otherwise be the case. This area of the roof may need to be replaced much earlier than it should have to be. Upper-story downspouts should be routed to a lower-level trough or run all the way to the ground.
