Roof waterproofing for restaurants in Albadai

Prepared by the technical team · editorial review · last updated 13 November 2026 · Sources

What is specific about Albadai for roof waterproofing

The centre of Albadai sits about 647 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data).

Before any materials are discussed, the technician checks the roof's exposure and drainage, because the choice of system depends on how water behaves on the surface. Albadai's centre sits about 647 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data), so restaurant roofs there are often exposed to strong sun during the day and a sharp drop in temperature at night. That daily movement stresses the surface and tends to open small cracks at joints, parapets and around rooftop equipment such as extraction units and air-conditioning plant. The first check is therefore for existing cracks, blistering and ponding, along with the condition of drains and outlets, since a restaurant roof carries heavy foot traffic from kitchen staff and deliveries. Liquid roof waterproofing is priced at SAR 8–25 per m², bitumen membrane at SAR 15–35 per m², and spray foam at SAR 20–45 per m², and the first inspection helps narrow which of these suits the surface in front of the technician.

Some decisions can only be made on the day of the visit. The exact thickness of insulation, whether XPS boards at SAR 12–30 per m² are needed beneath the new layer, and the length of any crack that requires injection at SAR 40–120 per metre cannot be fixed from a desk. Access arrangements also belong to the site visit, including when the kitchen can tolerate noise and fumes, how the roof is reached, and whether rooftop plant must be disconnected or moved. The technician should also confirm the slope of the roof, the state of parapets, and whether any tank or enclosed area on the roof will need a separate coating. Tank internal coating is priced at SAR 25–60 per m² and is quoted separately from the roof area, so it should be assessed as its own item.

For the technician, the most useful information is a clear record of the roof's existing layers, the drainage points and any leaks noticed inside the kitchen or dining area below. Photographs of cracks and ponding, measurements of the roof area in square metres, and notes on the length of each crack in metres allow a quote to be prepared accurately. Where the roof is shared with other units, the owner or manager should confirm who is responsible for the building structure. Keeping these details together before the visit reduces repeat trips and helps the restaurant return to service quickly.

For restaurants, visits are planned outside service hours and recorded for the premises file.

Signs worth paying attention to

The following signs are worth checking before they grow:

• The old waterproofing is cracking
• Stains on the top-floor ceiling after rain
• Water pooling on the roof

Causes we see in the field

• Cracks in the roof slab.
• A common cause: damaged waterproofing around tank and AC bases.
• Wrong falls towards the drains — we check this before anything else.

Tools we use in Albadai

How the work is done, step by step

1. Survey: Falls, drains and the condition of the old layer are recorded.
2. Preparation: Cleaning and repairs before any new layer.
3. Primer: The base coat that the system needs.
4. Waterproofing layers and details: Corners, upstands and bases get their own detail.
5. Flood test: The roof is flooded and checked before it is covered.

Facts and costs — Albadai

Short answers for Albadai

Mistakes that cost more

• Covering the waterproofing before the flood test
• Ignoring the tank bases

What you receive

The written output: a quality record with photos and the flood-test result. The report is numbered and can be checked with its verification code.