Bitumen membrane in Makkah: before buying or handover
In short: Bitumen membrane (before buying or handover) in Makkah starts with the roof, falls and drains survey, then the flood test, before anything is opened. 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.
Bitumen membrane in Makkah: the local context
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).
Bitumen membrane work in Makkah is shaped by the city's setting. The centre of Makkah sits about 301 m above sea level, according to SRTM open elevation data. This is a inland, elevated basin rather than a coastal plain, so the local ground is not sitting at or near sea level where groundwater tends to rise and stay high. For owners, this means that the waterproofing decision is less about constant water table pressure and more about managing rainfall runoff, heat cycling and the condition of the structure itself.
Each of these conditions has a practical effect on the service. Because the site is well above sea level, the first question on a job is usually surface drainage and how water moves off roofs and around foundations, not only what is pressing up from below. Bitumen membrane is priced at SAR 15–35 per m², and the wide range reflects how much preparation, primer and drainage detailing a particular roof or podium needs. Where basement waterproofing is needed, the price runs from SAR 55–160 per m², and a basement is worth assessing separately because it has a different load and access situation from a roof. Crack injection is charged per metre at SAR 40–125 per m, so a surveyor who walks the surface and measures cracks before the quote gives a more accurate figure than an estimate made from photos alone.
Common mistakes owners avoid are worth checking before buying or handover. The first is accepting a quote without a clear scope that states the area in m², the membrane type and whether crack injection or drainage work is included. The second is treating the roof and the bathroom as the same job; bathroom waterproofing sits at SAR 15–40 per m², while spray foam at SAR 20–45 per m² and liquid roof waterproofing at SAR 10–25 per m² suit different surfaces, so mixing them up leads to the wrong product on the wrong area. The third is handing over a property without a written record of the membrane and its installation date, which makes later repairs harder to diagnose. Ask for that record at handover and keep it with the property papers.
Before buying or taking over a property, an inspection gives you findings in writing before you sign.
When do you need bitumen membrane?
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.
- A common cause: no protection layer.
Tools and methods, and when we use them
| Method | What it helps with | Its role 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 |
From the first visit to the report
- 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.
Where does bitumen membrane (before buying or handover) start in Makkah?
We start with preparation (cleaning, priming and repairs), then torch welding (overlaps are welded and checked).
What 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 receive after the work?
Photos of the welds and the flood-test result, in a technical report that carries a verification code.
What we advise against
- Leaving the membrane exposed without protection
What you get after the work
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
- 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