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For a homeowner, a brown spot on any part of the ceiling or the roof is bad news. It could mean that a leak exists and could cause damage before you even see the evidence. To protect your home’s structural integrity, it is vital to take great care of your roof.

Most Kenyan residential roofs are covered with fiberglass or metal shingles. These materials are easy to install and play a great role in repelling water. Depending on the grade, fiberglass has a guarantee of about 20 to 30 years while metal can last for more than 50 years.  It means that the type of roofing material used has a limited lifespan. Therefore, it is important that you first familiarize yourself with the grade of shingles and know when the roofing was installed.

Check with a Home Inspector

When purchasing a home, the seller should tell you when the roof was installed. However, it is advisable to hire a home inspector for a professional assessment of the condition of the roof and get a clear range of the number years left for it to be replaced. You will want to be sure there are no chances of being blindsided by brown spots on the ceiling.

Have the inspector tour the house to look for missing shingles as that’s an obvious sign of an underlying problem. Note that metal shingles should have a shiny surface therefore if they appear dull it could be a sign of wear. It is also a bad sign if the edges of the shingles appear curled. Curling signals replacement of the roof because once this process begins, it cannot be reversed.

Cracked Shingles

If the shingles are cracked, you will have to replace them before moving into your new home. Cracked shingles can easily break further damaging the roof. Moss growing on the shingles should not be ignored as it is a bad sign. When it thrives on the shingles, it means there is enough moisture to support the growth. Sealing with tar is just temporary and does not guarantee a permanent solution.

Replacement Costs

Once you decide to have the roof replaced before settling down, get several estimates ensuring the quote given includes the costs of removing the old shingles and disposing of debris. It was a common practice to see new shingles nailed in over the old ones in the recent past. Today, however, professional roofers will not have new shingles replaced before removing the old ones. In fact, this is a practice that may void manufacturer warranties. What you pay for your new roof materials will depend on a lot of variables such as the number of layers currently on the roof, the pitch and the square footage of the area to be worked on.

Like most homeowners, you may be tempted to purchase cheaper materials in order to cut costs. However, understand that the amount may be lower upfront while with time you may have to undergo high costs as a result of numerous repairs and quick replacement. As a homeowner who intends to live in a newly purchased property for decades without the need to repair or replace the roof, it is wise to invest in quality metal roofing from a credible manufacturing company. 

 A roof protection system is designed to protect your gutters and allow rain water to flow easily without stashing leaves and other debris in your trough.

Why is a Guard Important to you as a Homeowner?

Debris are known to clog gutters and downspouts. In such events, the excess water would be more likely to fill up the gutters and lead to an overflow effect over the front. In many cases, the water begins to flood behind the gutters causing the fascia to get wet, and this eventually leads to pool formation around the foundation, rotten wood, and damaged landscaping. In fact, the clogging can go to extremes where mold starts forming on the roof, and the paint begins to chip off.

Why you should consider a Protection System

The most important part of your roof system is the gutter. Without it, your roof would not have the capacity to channel rainwater efficiently, and this could result in foundation shifting, window leaks, roof leaks, and deterioration. Therefore, it makes sense to have your roof properly maintained and protected. Note that leaves easily clog gutter troughs and this is the key reason systems are rendered useless. You can, however, protect your roof from such hazards by investing in a gutter guard.

Gutter guards play a significant role in protecting your guttering system and keeping it functioning at its best. It is especially helpful in Kenya as most homes are constructed near trees and bushes thus exposing the roof to leaves and debris. When the foreign elements find their way into the trough, water flow is stopped, and clogging occurs. Normally, your roof slope would route water into the trough and finally to a downspout. However, when it is clogged, the excess water is likely to spill over or accumulate at the gutter’s lip, and this could cause the roofing deck to infiltrate.  Backsplash is also known to leave mud stains on the siding. The most worrying threat to clogging is when the ground begins to soften around the foundation as this could lead to a shift.

finally to a downspout. However, when it is clogged, the excess water is likely to spill over or accumulate at the gutter’s lip, and this could cause the roofing deck to infiltrate.  Backsplash is also known to leave mud stains on the siding. The most worrying threat to clogging is when the ground begins to soften around the foundation as this could lead to a shift.

 Gutter guards are metal grates designed to sit on the lip of a gutter. The guard lets water in and stops the invasion of foreign elements. With properly functioning gutters, you save a lot from not having to seek for repairs on leaks or foundation problems. This is why a gutter guard should be a priority when it comes to upgrading your home in any part of Kenya. A professional gutter installation expert should suggest the best fit for your roof.

Remember, it is not enough to invest in a gutter protection system without first paying attention to the type of roof above your head. Ensure you also invest in quality mabati to ensure you get the best services and low maintenance for more than five decades. If you feel it is time to have your roof upgraded to a quality material such as metal, contact a reliable and certified metal roofing company such as Royal Mabati Factory Limited. Beyond walking away with high-quality mabati from RML, you also get any shade of your choice and enjoy great customer service.