Floor & balcony waterproofing in Alula: before buying or handover

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

Why floor & balcony waterproofing differs in Alula

The centre of Alula sits about 697 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data). Main roads in or near Alula: King Abdullah Road.

The centre of Alula sits about 697 m above sea level, according to SRTM open elevation data. That height matters for floors and balconies. Air at this altitude is drier and temperature swings between day and night can be sharp, so concrete and render move more than many owners expect. Our assessments start by checking how the existing surface has expanded and contracted, and whether hairline cracks have opened in the slab or balcony edge.

Because of that movement, the practical effect on the service is that we match the system to the surface rather than applying one product everywhere. A crack that has opened in a balcony slab needs crack injection, which is priced at SAR 40–120 per metre, before any surface coat is laid. Balcony and terrace finishes that will flex with the slab, such as bitumen membrane at SAR 15–35 per m², are usually preferred over rigid coatings. For roofs, liquid roof waterproofing at SAR 8–25 per m² is a common choice, and where thermal comfort matters, XPS boards at SAR 12–30 per m² can be added beneath the finish. Epoxy coating, at SAR 35–90 per m², suits surfaces that need a harder wearing layer, while spray foam at SAR 20–45 per m² is used where a seamless, lightweight layer is needed.

Before buying or accepting handover of a property, owners often avoid several common mistakes. The first is accepting a floor or balcony without checking for cracks at the edges, where water usually enters. The second is assuming a fresh coat means the surface is sound, when the underlying defect is still there. The third is leaving the basement or any tank area untested, since basement waterproofing is priced at SAR 50–150 per m² and tank internal coating at SAR 25–60 per m², and repairs after handover cost far more than early checks. The fourth is ignoring bathroom junctions, where bathroom waterproofing at SAR 15–40 per m² protects adjoining floors. Asking for a written scope that names each surface and product before work begins avoids most of these problems.

Before buying or taking over a property, an inspection gives you findings in writing before you sign.

Signs worth paying attention to

If you notice one of these signs in Alula, it is a good moment to talk to the team:

• Damp under the light well
• Water passing from the balcony to the floor below
• A wrong fall towards the door threshold

Where the problem usually comes from

• A common cause: a blocked drain.
• A threshold without waterproofing.
• A common cause: incorrect falls.

Tools we use in Alula

The steps in order

1. Checking the falls: Where water collects and where it should go.
2. Details: Thresholds, drains and upstands.
3. Waterproofing: The layer is applied and protected.
4. Flood test: Tested before the finish goes on.

Facts and costs — Alula

Common questions about floor & balcony waterproofing in Alula

What we advise against

• Tiling a balcony without waterproofing

The written outputs

You receive: the flood result and photos of the details, in a technical report with a verification code.