The short answer
A light scatter of granules is normal, especially on a new roof shedding loose manufacturing grit. Heavy accumulation, bare black patches visible on the shingle, or a cup or more of granules at a downspout means the shingle is losing its UV armor and is in its final years.
What causes it
| Cause | How you can tell | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Normal new-roof shedding | First 6 to 12 months after install, tapers off | Not a problem |
| Normal end-of-life wear | Gradual, even, on a roof past 12 to 15 years | Expected |
| Hail impact | Sudden heavy loss after a storm, with round bruises on the shingle | Insurable |
| Foot traffic damage | Granule loss in paths, often after other trades were on the roof | Localized |
| Manufacturing defect | Heavy loss on a young roof, often in patches | Warranty claim |
| Water cascading from an upper roof | Concentrated bare strip under an upper downspout | Fixable with a diverter |
How fast do you need to act
Not an emergency. Worth an inspection this season if the roof is over ten years old, or within a couple of weeks if it started right after a hailstorm, because Texas claim deadlines run from the date of damage.
What to do right now
- Scoop a handful and look at the roof where that downspout drains
- From the ground with binoculars, look for shiny black patches where the granule layer is gone
- If this started after a storm, photograph it and note the storm date
- Check whether loss is even across the roof or concentrated in one area
- Have the age of the roof confirmed if you do not know it
What we see in the Hill Country
Granules are the shingle's sunscreen. In Hill Country heat, once they are gone the asphalt underneath bakes, goes brittle and cracks, and that process accelerates fast. A roof shedding heavily here typically has two to four years left, not ten.
When to call us
We inspect for this at no charge across Boerne, San Antonio, New Braunfels, Kerrville, Fair Oaks Ranch, Bulverde, Helotes, Spring Branch, Austin and Stone Oak. You get photographs of what we find and a written explanation, including when the honest answer is that nothing needs doing yet. Call (210) 245-4125 or book an inspection.
