Bitumen membrane in Makkah: before summer & rain season
In short: In Makkah (Makkah), bitumen membrane (before summer & rain season) 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.
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).
Makkah's city centre sits about 301 m above sea level, according to SRTM open elevation data. That elevation gives the city a dry, hot climate with strong sun for much of the year, and it also means that heavy rain can run quickly through streets and across rooftops rather than pooling for long. For a bitumen membrane on a flat roof, this combination of intense heat and sudden downpours is the main test. Heat softens and ages the surface over time, while a short, heavy rain event can find any weak seam or lifted edge within minutes. Installers working here therefore pay close attention to surface preparation and to how the membrane is laid at upstands, drains and corners, where water tends to gather and push.
Each of the local fact points links directly to how a bitumen membrane job is planned. Bitumen membrane sits in the range of SAR 15–35 per m², which places it among the more economical roof options, so owners often use it on large flat roofs where the area is wide and the budget needs to stretch. Liquid roof waterproofing, at SAR 10–25 per m², is another option for roofs with many small details, because it can be brushed or rolled into awkward shapes. Where a roof needs insulation under the waterproofing, XPS boards at SAR 15–30 per m² can be considered, since they hold up well against moisture. For cracks that appear in concrete before a membrane goes down, crack injection at SAR 40–125 per metre is usually handled first, so the surface is sound before any new layer is applied.
Owners who plan well before summer and the rain season tend to avoid a few common mistakes. The first is laying a membrane over damp or dusty concrete, which stops the bond from forming properly. The second is skipping the check of drains and outlets, so water has nowhere to go and sits against the membrane. The third is leaving upstands and parapet edges unsealed, since these are where leaks usually start. The fourth is scheduling the work in the hottest part of the day, when the membrane can stretch and blister before it cools. Checking the roof after the first heavy rain, and fixing small problems at once, keeps a bitumen membrane performing through the season.
Checks before summer and before the rain season catch problems while they are still small.
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
Where the problem usually comes from
- 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.
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 |
| 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 (before summer & rain season)?
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
You receive: photos of the welds and the flood-test result, in a technical report with a 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