Floor & balcony waterproofing for schools in Jeddah
In short: In Jeddah (Jeddah), floor & balcony waterproofing for schools begins with the roof, falls and drains survey and the moisture meter for ceilings and walls; nothing is opened until the position is clear. Jeddah is about 2 km from the sea coast (OpenStreetMap). Published price: Bathroom waterproofing (per m²), SAR 15–40 per m²; anything else is quoted after the inspection.
Floor & balcony waterproofing in Jeddah: the local context
Team note on Jeddah: Kashf teams serve this city and its nearby districts with the same documented inspection standard: device-based leak detection without demolition, a written report, and a clear scope before any work begins.. Jeddah is about 2 km from the sea coast (OpenStreetMap).
The centre of Jeddah sits about 15 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data).
A school owner in Jeddah typically manages a building with large flat roofs, open balconies and walkways that carry constant foot traffic and daily cleaning. Water that sits on these surfaces during the short rain showers the city receives can seep into classrooms below, stain ceilings and weaken concrete over time. Because the premises are used by many people every day, even a small leak can disrupt lessons and create safety concerns, so planning ahead matters more than reacting to the first damp patch.
The local facts shape how this planning should be approached. The centre of Jeddah sits about 15 m above sea level, and the city is about 2 km from the sea coast. Ground and drainage conditions in such a setting mean that rainwater must be moved off roofs and balconies quickly, and salt-laden air near the coast can accelerate wear on exposed surfaces. For floors and balconies, a liquid roof waterproofing system is priced at SAR 10–25 per m², a bitumen membrane at SAR 15–35 per m², and epoxy coating at SAR 35–95 per m², so the choice depends on how heavily the surface is used and how much movement it experiences. Where cracks appear, crack injection is charged at SAR 40–125 per m, and it should be dealt with before any new coating is applied.
Practically, an owner should first walk the roofs, balconies and floors after rain and mark every damp patch, crack and standing-water area. Next, arrange for the surfaces to be cleaned and the cracks to be injected, so the base is sound. Then choose the coating system that suits each area, keeping in mind that heavily walked balconies may need epoxy while large roof areas may suit liquid or membrane systems. Schedule the works outside school hours or during holidays to limit disruption to pupils and staff. Finally, keep a simple record of the work carried out, the materials used and the dates, and inspect the surfaces after each heavy rain season so small problems are caught early.
For schools, the larger jobs are planned for weekends and holidays.
Signs worth paying attention to
If you notice one of these signs in Jeddah, it is a good moment to talk to the team:
- Damp under the light well
- A wrong fall towards the door threshold
- Water passing from the balcony to the floor below
The most common causes
- A blocked drain.
- Incorrect falls — we check this before anything else.
- A common cause: a threshold without waterproofing.
Tools we use in Jeddah
| Tool or method | What it measures | Why it is chosen here |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture meter for ceilings and walls | Where water is entering now, from inside | Limits: measures the effect, not the water path |
| Roof, falls and drains survey | Ponding areas and the condition of the old layer | Limits: shows the condition, not the material alone |
| Flood test | Whether the waterproofing holds before it is covered | Limits: for roofs with drains and wet areas before tiling |
How the work is done, step by step
- Checking the falls: Where water collects and where it should go.
- Details: Thresholds, drains and upstands.
- Waterproofing: The layer is applied and protected.
- Flood test: Tested before the finish goes on.
Quick comparison: facts and costs in Jeddah
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| District profile | Team note on Jeddah: Kashf teams serve this city and its nearby districts with the same documented inspection standard: device-based leak detection without demolition, a written report, and a clear scope before any work begins. | Kashf team |
| District profile | The centre of Jeddah sits about 15 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data) | SRTM (NASA) open data |
| District profile | Jeddah is about 2 km from the sea coast (OpenStreetMap) | © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) |
| Bathroom waterproofing (per m²) | SAR 15–40 per m² | Owner price list (Jeddah) |
Common questions about floor & balcony waterproofing in Jeddah
Can I use household chemicals instead of calling a technician?
Using unsuitable chemicals may corrode pipes and does not fix the root cause of the blockage, so it is better to rely on a specialist technician.
What is the difference between foam insulation and other types of insulation?
Foam insulation is easy to apply on uneven surfaces and forms one continuous layer with no joints, while other types, such as bitumen rolls, need the joints to be welded. The contractor decides which is most suitable after inspecting the site.
Can thermal insulation be applied to an existing building?
Yes, thermal insulation can be installed on the roofs and walls of existing buildings without the need for major structural modifications. The contractor prepares the surface, then applies the insulating material and the protective layer over it.
What is the first step of floor & balcony waterproofing for schools?
We start with checking the falls (where water collects and where it should go), then details (thresholds, drains and upstands).
How much does floor & balcony waterproofing cost in Jeddah?
From our published price list: Bathroom waterproofing (per m²) SAR 15–40 per m². Quantities are confirmed at the inspection.
What do I get at the end?
The flood result and photos of the details, in a technical report that carries a verification code.
Mistakes that cost more
- 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.
If you live in Jeddah and are new to the area
- The Saudi weekend is Friday and Saturday; mention your preferred day and time when booking.
- You can message us on WhatsApp in English; the booking details are sent back to you in the chat to confirm before the visit.
- If you rent, tell your landlord or building management before the visit and agree in writing who pays; the written report can be shared with them.
- Keep photos of the problem and of any earlier repairs — they help the technician compare before and after.
Sources and method
- SRTM (NASA) open data
- © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Kashf team
- Customer questions (reviewed)
- Owner price list for Jeddah
- Local pages are published only after a quality gate: real local facts, text similarity of no more than 15% with any other English page, and a claims check.
- النسخة العربية