Repairs
A Few Granules in the Gutter Are Normal — A Handful Is Not
Finding sand-like granules in the gutter isn't automatically a sign of roof failure — but the amount and the shingle's age tell very different stories.
Asphalt shingles are coated with mineral granules that shield the underlying asphalt from UV light, which is what actually degrades the shingle. Manufacturing always leaves some loose granules that wash off in the first few rains after installation — a light dusting in the gutter is completely normal for a roof under a year old.
On a roof past the ten-to-fifteen-year mark, steady heavy granule loss means the protective coating is thinning and the asphalt beneath is starting to see direct UV exposure, which accelerates cracking and brittleness. That pattern, combined with bald or shiny patches on the shingle surface, is a reasonable trigger to get a roof inspected rather than wait for a leak.
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