Granule loss
What is granule loss?
When the protective mineral granules wear or knock off a shingle — a key sign of hail impact and aging.
DefinitionCapture carrier-ready photos
Granules are the colored mineral coating on asphalt shingles. They shield the asphalt from UV and add fire resistance, so when they’re knocked off, the shingle underneath ages and fails faster.
Hail commonly causes granule loss at the point of impact, exposing the black asphalt mat. Adjusters look at granule loss — along with bruising and mat fractures — to judge whether hail damage is functional and storm-related.
Documenting granule loss with close-up photos, and noting granules collecting in the gutters, helps tie the damage to a storm and supports an approval.
Related terms
Hail damageImpact damage to shingles from hail — bruising, granule loss, and fractures that compromise the roof and trigger a claim.Test squareA marked-off section of roof — usually 10 by 10 — where you count hail hits to prove the density of storm damage.Soft metalsThe bendable metal accessories — gutters, vents, flashing — where hail dents show up as clear, hard-to-deny evidence.Wind damageRoof damage from high winds — lifted, creased, or missing shingles that break the seal and let water in.