Bitumen membrane in Makkah: when to call a technician
In short: In Makkah (Makkah), bitumen membrane (when to call a technician) begins with the roof, falls and drains survey and the flood test; nothing is opened until the position is clear. The centre of Makkah sits about 301 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data). Pricing starts from Bitumen membrane (per m²) (SAR 15–35 per m²), and other items are quoted after the visit.
Before we start: what we know about Makkah
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).
Should you call a technician when you notice damp patches on a roof slab in Makkah? In short, yes, as soon as you see water tracking through the bitumen membrane or ponding that lingers after rain. The centre of Makkah sits about 301 m above sea level, and the city's mix of intense sun, sudden downpours and heavy rooftop traffic from water tanks and fittings puts steady stress on roof layers. A bitumen membrane usually lasts well when it is inspected early, so a visit before small leaks spread into the ceiling below is far cheaper than a full replacement. Bitumen membrane work typically costs SAR 15–35 per m², which gives owners a clear basis for comparing a repair with a re-sheeting job.
When the technician arrives, the inspection normally starts on the roof itself. They walk the surface to look for blistering, cracked seams, lifted laps at upstands, and areas where the membrane has pulled away from drains or parapets. Next they check the points where water is most likely to enter, such as pipe penetrations, skylight kerbs and the edges where the roof meets walls. If the leak appears to come from a joint or hairline split, they may suggest crack injection, which is priced at SAR 40–125 per metre. Where the water has already reached the building, the technician will also look at the ceiling or the rooms beneath, because a roof leak can travel along a beam before it shows. The result is a written assessment of which areas need repair and which can wait.
Before the visit, gather a few details that save time and make the quote more accurate. Note when the leak first appeared, whether it follows rain, and where the stains show indoors; photographs taken after a rainfall are especially useful. Clear access to the roof, including the stairs or hatch, and confirm whether the roof is shared with neighbours or used for water tanks, since tank surfaces are priced separately at SAR 25–65 per m² for internal coating. Tell the technician about any earlier repairs or coatings so they know what is already on the surface. With these notes ready, the visit can focus on the fault rather than on background questions.
Some signs can be watched for a few days; others need a technician straight away — the signs list above helps you decide.
Signs worth paying attention to
If you notice one of these signs in Makkah, it is a good moment to talk to the team:
- Old rolls that are cracking
- A flat concrete roof that needs waterproofing
Causes we see in the field
- Seams that were not welded properly — we check this before anything else.
- No protection layer.
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 |
| Roof, falls and drains survey | Ponding areas and the condition of the old layer | Limits: shows the condition, not the material alone |
The steps in order
- Preparation: Cleaning, priming and repairs.
- Torch welding: Overlaps are welded and checked.
- Details: Upstands, drains and bases.
- Protection and flood test: Protection is laid after a successful flood test.
Facts and costs — 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 |
| Bitumen membrane (per m²) | SAR 15–35 per m² | Owner price list (Makkah) |
Short answers for 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 bitumen membrane (when to call a technician)?
We start with preparation (cleaning, priming and repairs), then torch welding (overlaps are welded and checked).
How much does bitumen membrane cost in Makkah?
From our published price list: Bitumen membrane (per m²) SAR 15–35 per m². Quantities are confirmed at the inspection.
What do I get at the end?
Photos of the welds and the flood-test result, in a technical report that carries a verification code.
Common mistakes we see
- Leaving the membrane exposed without protection
What you receive
You receive: photos of the welds and the flood-test result, in a technical report with a verification code.
If you live in Makkah and are new to the area
- Keep photos of the problem and of any earlier repairs — they help the technician compare before and after.
- 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.
- 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).
- Prices are in Saudi riyals (SAR); the final price is confirmed after the inspection, before any work starts.
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