Floor & balcony waterproofing in Makkah: before summer & rain season
In short: In Makkah (Makkah), floor & balcony waterproofing (before summer & rain season) begins with the roof, falls and drains survey and the moisture meter for ceilings and walls; nothing is opened until the position is clear. The centre of Makkah sits about 301 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data). Published price: Bathroom waterproofing (per m²), SAR 15–40 per m²; anything else is quoted after the inspection.
What is specific about Makkah for floor & balcony waterproofing
Team note on Makkah: 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.. The centre of Makkah sits about 301 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data).
The centre of Makkah sits about 301 m above sea level, according to SRTM open elevation data. Its streets run through a dense urban fabric of hills, valleys and tightly spaced buildings, so rainwater does not always drain in a single direction. For floors and balconies, this matters because water can gather at low points, pool against walls and find its way into thin joints. A waterproofing plan here starts with mapping where water actually runs off a roof, terrace or balcony slab, rather than assuming a flat surface behaves flat in practice.
Each fact shapes the work. The elevation and the hilly layout mean surfaces are often exposed to sudden downpours followed by long dry, hot spells, so the coating must tolerate both expansion and surface heat. That is why the choice between liquid roof waterproofing (SAR 10–25 per m²), bitumen membrane (SAR 15–35 per m²) and spray foam (SAR 20–45 per m²) depends on the exposure and access of each slab. Crack injection, priced at SAR 40–125 per metre, is treated as a first step where hairline cracks run along a balcony edge, because sealing the crack before coating stops moisture from working through it. Bathroom waterproofing (SAR 15–40 per m²) and epoxy coating (SAR 35–95 per m²) are planned around the wet areas where daily use keeps surfaces damp, while basement waterproofing (SAR 55–160 per m²) needs more preparation because of the pressure water can exert from below.
Owners also avoid several common mistakes. They do not coat over a damp or dusty surface, since adhesion fails quickly when moisture is trapped underneath. They do not skip the joints and drainage outlets, where most leaks start. They do not treat a small crack as cosmetic, and they do not ignore the protective layer on top of a membrane, which takes the daily heat and foot traffic. Tank internal coating (SAR 25–65 per m²) and XPS boards (SAR 15–30 per m²) are likewise matched to the specific location rather than applied by default. Planning the work before the summer heat and the rainy season arrive gives coatings time to cure and reduces the chance of repairs later.
Checks before summer and before the rain season catch problems while they are still small.
Signs that call for floor & balcony waterproofing
The following signs are worth checking before they grow:
- A wrong fall towards the door threshold
- Water passing from the balcony to the floor below
- Damp under the light well
Where the problem usually comes from
- Incorrect falls.
- A threshold without waterproofing.
- A blocked drain — we check this before anything else.
How we choose the tool in Makkah
| Tool | What it finds | When we use it in Makkah |
|---|---|---|
| Flood test | Whether the waterproofing holds before it is covered | Limits: for roofs with drains and wet areas before tiling |
| 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 |
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 Makkah
| Item | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| District profile | The centre of Makkah sits about 301 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data) | SRTM (NASA) open data |
| District profile | Team note on Makkah: 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 |
| Bathroom waterproofing (per m²) | SAR 15–40 per m² | Owner price list (Makkah) |
Common questions about floor & balcony waterproofing in Makkah
What does finishing work typically include?
It covers plastering, painting, flooring, stone or marble walls, ceilings, gypsum, doors, windows, and final electrical and plumbing installations. You can request full or partial finishing, with the scope clearly defined in the price quote.
Is it possible to renovate the building without evacuating the residents?
In many cases it can be carried out in phases without a full evacuation if the damage is limited. However, for extensive structural renovation, a temporary evacuation may be recommended to ensure safety, and the contractor will explain this in their proposal.
Does waterproofing require removing existing tiles?
It depends on the site condition. Sometimes surface waterproofing can be applied over tiles, while deep leaks require tile removal to treat the layer underneath. A technician will determine the best option after inspection.
What is the first step of floor & balcony waterproofing (before summer & rain season)?
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 Makkah?
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.
Common mistakes we see
- Tiling a balcony without waterproofing
What you get after the work
The written output: the flood result and photos of the details. The report is numbered and can be checked with its verification code.
Practical notes for residents of Makkah
- 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.
- Prices are in Saudi riyals (SAR); the final price is confirmed after the inspection, before any work starts.
- Have access ready to the water meter, the tank hatches, the roof and the main valve; in apartment buildings the roof keys are often with the building guard (haris).
Sources and method
- SRTM (NASA) open data
- Kashf team
- Customer questions (reviewed)
- Owner price list for Makkah
- 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