How to Fix a Leaking Roof in Kenya (2026): Mabati, Tiles and Gutters

Roof leaks rarely start where the stain appears; water travels along purlins before it drips. Find the entry point first.

Find the Leak

1. On a dry day, go into the ceiling space with a torch and look for daylight or wet timber.
2. Trace stains upward to the highest wet point.
3. From outside, check that area for loose nails, cracked sheets, lifted ridges and blocked gutters.
4. If unsure, run a hose on sections of the roof while someone watches inside.

Common Leaks and Fixes

Repair Materials

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Replacement sheets: box profile prices; gutters: gutter prices.

Tile Roofs

Replace cracked tiles, re-bed loose ridge tiles and check under-tile membranes. Stone-coated tiles: Decra tile prices.

Safety

Worked Example: Drip in the Middle of the Ceiling

A ceiling stain appears in the middle of a room, but the roof above looks fine. In the ceiling space, a torch shows a wet purlin running back about 2 m to a nail with a missing rubber washer near the ridge. Water ran along the timber before dripping. The fix: replace that nail and its neighbours with roofing nails and new rubbers, and check the ridge capping fixings at the same time.

Before the Rains: A Roof Checklist

Clean gutters and downpipes, check every ridge and valley, replace missing rubbers, paint or replace rusted sheets, and cut back branches that touch the roof.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Sealing over rusted sheets.
• Nailing in the valley instead of the crest of corrugations.
• Ignoring gutters.
• Walking on sheets between purlins.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I fix a leaking mabati roof?

Replace loose or rusted nails with roofing nails and rubbers, reseal overlaps and replace rusted sheets.

Why is my roof leaking at the nails?

Missing or worn rubber washers, or nails driven in the wrong place.

Can I fix a roof leak from inside?

You can find it from inside, but the repair is usually done outside.

How much does roof leak repair cost?

Small fixes cost little; replacing sheets or ridges costs more. Get a quote.

Do gutters cause roof leaks?

Blocked gutters overflow and can push water back under sheets and into walls.

When should I repair a roof?

In the dry season, before the rains.

Prices shown are regular prices on Buy More Mall. Many products are currently on offer, so open the product page to see today's price.

Related Guides

• Cost of Roofing a House
• Gutter Price in Kenya
• Damp Walls Solutions