Bitumen membrane in Makkah: without breaking
In short: In Makkah (Makkah), bitumen membrane (without breaking) 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). Published price: Bitumen membrane (per m²), SAR 15–35 per m²; anything else is quoted after the inspection.
What is specific about Makkah for bitumen membrane
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. For a bitumen membrane job, that height is less important for the price than it is for how the surface is read before any material goes down. Our technician looks first at the roof or slab, the drainage points, and any existing membrane still in place, because a bitumen sheet only performs when the base beneath it is sound. Bitumen membrane in this area is priced at SAR 15–35 per m², and the quote is shaped by how much of the old layer must come off and how much preparation the substrate needs. Before the job is measured, the technician notes the slope toward outlets, the parapets and upstands, and the corners where water tends to collect.
Some things cannot be settled from a description or a photograph and are left for the site visit. These include the exact condition of the substrate under the existing layer, whether moisture is rising from below, the state of any cracks in the concrete, and how the membrane should meet pipes, drains, and roof edges on that particular building. The technician will also confirm the measured area in square metres, since the rate applies per m² and small roofs with many penetrations can take longer than their area suggests. Access, the timing of works around occupied floors, and any restrictions on materials or working hours in the building are also decided on the day.
To help the technician arrive prepared, it is useful to have the roof plan or a rough sketch with dimensions, the age of the existing waterproofing if known, and a note of any past leaks and where they appeared. Photographs of the roof surface, the drains, and the upstands are valuable, as are details of any previous repairs or coatings. Please also say whether the roof is used for storage, plant, or foot traffic, because that affects the protection layer chosen. Clear access arrangements and a contact who can meet the technician on site will keep the visit short and the assessment accurate.
The aim is to locate the cause with instruments first, so any opening is limited to one point.
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
The most common causes
- A common cause: seams that were not welded properly.
- A common cause: no protection layer.
Tools and methods, and when we use them
| Tool or method | What it measures | Why it is chosen here |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (without breaking)?
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
The written outputs
The written output: photos of the welds and the flood-test result. The report is numbered and can be checked with its verification code.
Practical notes for residents of Makkah
- 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