Nicholas Thompson

Hey everyone, I recently inspected a roof where I noticed a fair amount of granule loss on the asphalt shingles, especially near the gutters and downspouts. The roof doesn’t look extremely old, which made me question whether this is just normal wear and tear or a possible sign of premature shingle failure. There were no major leaks visible from the interior, but the granule buildup in the gutters was definitely noticeable. In your experience, at what point do you consider granule loss to be a concern worth calling out for replacement? Appreciate any insights

No, shingles generally shouldn’t be tight against stucco. There should usually be a small gap/clearance with proper step flashing and counterflashing/kickout, not shingles jammed into the wall. Even if there’s flashing behind, contact with stucco can trap moisture and debris and cause problems later.

Yes, squirrels (and sometimes raccoons) absolutely can damage ridge vent shingles, especially if they think warm air is coming out and they’re trying to get in. But if it’s happening repeatedly in the exact same spot, I’d also question the ridge vent install, shingle fastening, or whether the cap shingles are too brittle/overexposed there. The scratches on the vent help support the animal theory, but I wouldn’t rule out an installation/detail issue yet.

Roof Maxx is basically a soy-based shingle “rejuvenator,” not an acrylic coating. The idea is it soaks into aging asphalt shingles and restores flexibility, which can help on roofs that are still structurally sound, but it’s not a fix for bad flashing, leaks, nail pops, lifted tabs, or heavy granule loss. So IMO: not total snake oil, but definitely not a miracle either best case it may buy time on a borderline roof, worst case it delays the inevitable.

Shingles shouldn’t directly touch stucco there should be proper flashing and a gap to allow water to shed and avoid wicking into the wall. If the roofer installed flashing behind the stucco and under the shingles, that may be okay, but check the shingle manufacturer’s installation guide. Some require a small clearance from vertical surfaces. It’s worth confirming otherwise, you could see water intrusion or premature shingle wear later.