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How to Read Downspout Granules—roof inspection Dallas

  • admin680660
  • 3 minutes ago
  • 6 min read

Last night’s hail rattled the patio cover. This morning the splash blocks look like someone dumped pepper on them. Is that normal? Or is your roof telling you it took a real hit?


We’re REC Roofing—serving DFW and East Texas with free roof inspections Dallas, a licensed insurance adjuster on staff, and a simple, photo-documented process. Below is a plain-English guide to what downspout granules mean, the other clues worth checking from the ground, and what we look for during a professional inspection. This is general information, not legal advice.


Roof Inspection Dallas, Roofing Company Dallas

The quick read: what those granules are telling you

  • Light dusting after any heavy rain: Normal. Shingles shed a little all the time, more when new.

  • Pepper-like piles after hail/wind: Worth a look. Hail and wind can knock loose granules around valleys, ridges, and eaves.

  • Large, repeated piles at the same downspout: Something upstream—often a valley, ridge cap, or roof-to-wall section—needs attention.

  • Granules + shingle crumbs: Ridge caps may be cracking or creasing, especially on west/south slopes.

  • Granules + dents on soft metals (downspouts, window cap metal): Hail likely. That’s when an inspection makes sense.


If you see two or more of the above, call for a free inspection. Stay off the roof—wet granules are like marbles.

What to check (safely) before you call

From the ground:

  • Downspout pattern: Is it only one corner, or all four? Single-corner piles often trace to one valley or sidewall above.

  • Ridge-cap crumbs: Little crescent-shaped bits in beds or gutters = caps starting to fail.

  • Soft metals: Look at downspouts, mailbox caps, A/C line covers, box vents—dings here track with shingle impacts above.

  • Ceilings & fans: Tea rings near bath fans, can lights, or skylights after wind-driven rain are early tells.

  • Eave edges: Corners lifting? That’s seal failure after heat cycles.


From the attic hatch (no beam walking):

  • Shiny nail tips and darkened sheathing seams directly above the stained room.

  • Trail marks down a plumbing pipe—classic pipe-boot collar split.


Snap photos. If water is active, ask for same-day temporary dry-in/tarping.


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What we look for during a professional visit (roof inspection Dallas)

Dallas roofs take the triple hit: spring hail, August heat, and quick north winds after fall fronts. Our inspection maps how those forces worked on your exact roof.


On the roof:

  • Hail bruises vs. blister pops: Hail leaves a soft bruise where granules compress into the mat; blisters are clean pops from heat. We document the difference.

  • Ridge caps & hips: The highest lines age first. We check for splits, lifted nails, and creases on sun-facing runs.

  • Valleys: Granules naturally slide here, but grooved troughs or cut-throughs tell a different story.

  • Flashing at walls/chimneys: Dallas clay soils move with dry/wet cycles. That opens step-flashing gaps you can’t see from the yard. We verify kick-outs are present.

  • Vents & penetrations: Hail-dimpled box vents, bent turbines, and cracked pipe-boot collars are common leak starters.

  • Underlayment & decking clues: We note torn laps and nail pull-through on older 3/8" or weathered 1/2" decking. That changes the right repair.


In the attic (if accessible):

  • Decking stains, wet nail tips, and insulation crusting near penetrations.

  • Ventilation balance: Heat loads here run 30–50°F above outside in summer; poor intake/exhaust bakes seals and ridge caps.


We take labeled photos by slope and area, then explain the plan in plain language.


How granules, dents, and crumbs add up to a diagnosis

  • Granules + downspout nearest a valley = check that valley detail and the slope feeding it.

  • Granules + ridge-cap crumbs = check ridge cap splits/creases along sun-facing runs.

  • Granules + dented downspouts/box vents = check for hail bruises in the shingle field and loose rivets at vents.

  • Granules + ceiling ring at a bath = likely a pipe-boot collar or nearby box vent, not the entire field.


Diagnosis beats guesswork. We’ll show you the photos either way.


Repair vs. replacement: when each makes sense

Targeted repair is smart when:

  • Granule loss ties to a single trouble spot—a valley detail, a split ridge cap on one hip, or a failed boot.

  • The rest of the roof still has healthy granules and pliable seals.


Replacement talk is worth it when:

  • Hail bruises are uniform across multiple slopes.

  • Ridge caps are failing along several hips, or seals are tired across the field.

  • You’ve chased leaks from different places over two or more seasons.

We’ll price only after inspection and only for the scope that makes sense.


Cost & timeline drivers (no wild guesses)

  • Scope: One pipe boot vs. ridge-cap runs + valley metal.

  • Access & pitch: Two-story backs and steep slopes add safety setup.

  • Material match: Common architectural profiles are quick; discontinued colors require options.

  • Decking condition: If nails don’t bite, we plan a small deck patch before finishing.

  • Weather windows: After big hail, we still prioritize active leaks for same-day dry-in, then schedule permanent work.

You’ll get a written estimate with photos—no jargon pile.


Insurance collaboration (neutral & simple)

We don’t adjust claims or negotiate. If you choose to file:

  • We document conditions with time-stamped photos by slope/area.

  • We can coordinate the roof inspection with your carrier so everyone sees the same facts.

  • We answer build and code questions so the scope matches the house.

  • Keep receipts for any emergency tarping or interior protection.


For a plain primer on storm safety and hail sizes, see the National Weather Service Fort Worth hail awareness pages.


This article is general information, not legal advice.

Material choices that help in Dallas (when repairs or replacement are needed)

  • Impact-rated (Class 3/4) shingles: Not hail-proof, but they resist fractures and age better through our heat/hail cycle.

  • High-temperature underlayment at valleys, eaves, and tricky transitions; low-temp felts slump in August attics.

  • Open metal valleys under tree-heavy lots (Lake Highlands, Preston Hollow) to shed granules/needles.

  • Pipe boots with metal storm collars instead of bare rubber.

  • Balanced ventilation: Clear soffit intake and right-sized exhaust keep seals tacky and caps from cracking.


After-storm safety & quick steps (10-minute checklist)

  1. Protect the room under any stain; place a bucket and kill power to wet fixtures.

  2. Relieve ceiling bubbles at the lowest point into a bucket (it limits drywall damage).

  3. Photograph granule piles at downspouts and any soft-metal dents.

  4. From the attic hatch, look for wet nail tips or a trail down a vent pipe.

  5. Call for a free inspection; request same-day temporary dry-in if water is active.

  6. Save receipts and note the storm date/time.


A Dallas service call (short story)

A homeowner near Lake Highlands found quarter-sized granule piles at the rear downspout and a faint ring near a hall bath. From the ladder we saw ridge-cap crumbs on the west hip and dimpled box vents. In the attic, a short trail ran down a PVC vent—the collar was split on the back side. We dried in the boot that afternoon, replaced the collars with metal-guarded boots, swapped the two dented vents, and ran matching ridge cap along the west hip. The next long rain? No stain growth. No new granule mounds.


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FAQ


Is a little granule loss normal?

Yes. All shingles shed some granules, especially when new or after heavy rain. Large, repeated piles suggest a specific problem upstream.


Do impact-rated shingles stop granule loss?

They hold onto granules better under typical Dallas hail and heat, but valleys and ridges will still show wear over time.


Why does my leak only show in north winds?

Wind-driven rain from a fall front finds lifted seals at edges, ridge caps, and wall lines that vertical rain misses.


Can I just seal a cracked pipe boot?

Sealant is a temporary band-aid. A new collar or full boot with a metal storm collar is the durable fix.


When should I call for help?

If you see granule piles + another clue (soft-metal dents, ridge crumbs, or a new ceiling ring), schedule a free inspection.


CTA — Free Local Inspection

Need roof help in Dallas? Talk to a local pro today.

 
 
 
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