Roof waterproofing for apartments in Makkah
In short: In Makkah (Makkah), roof waterproofing for apartments 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). Pricing starts from Liquid roof waterproofing (per m²) (SAR 10–25 per m²), and other items are quoted after the visit.
Why roof waterproofing differs in 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).
Makkah's apartment buildings often have roofs that carry heavy summer heat and sudden rain, and many residents live in these blocks year-round. Because of this, roof work here usually has to be planned around the people already living below. One of the questions owners ask first is whether the building can be repaired without evacuating the residents, and this is something to settle with the team before any materials arrive. The stated facts also point to a clear sequence: check first whether the existing tile must be broken to lay the new membrane, since that decides how much dust, noise and access disruption the household will face.
For this service, the inspection starts with the roof surface itself and the junctions where it meets walls, parapets and drain outlets, because those are the places where water usually enters. Any leak that has already reached a bathroom or balcony floor is also checked, since those floors are waterproofed in a separate step and cost differently. A reflective protective or coating layer is considered only after the membrane is confirmed sound, because a coating placed over a faulty base hides the problem rather than solving it.
Before the visit, the customer should clear access to the roof, note where water has appeared inside the flat, and gather any previous repair records for the building. Useful questions for the team include: will the tile need to be removed, will residents need to move out or stay, which areas will be affected, and how the work will be scheduled around daily life in the building.
In an apartment, a problem may start in your unit or in a shared line; we separate the two before any work.
When do you need roof waterproofing?
If you notice one of these signs in Makkah, it is a good moment to talk to the team:
- Water pooling on the roof
- Stains on the top-floor ceiling after rain
- The old waterproofing is cracking
The most common causes
- Wrong falls towards the drains.
- Damaged waterproofing around tank and AC bases — we check this before anything else.
- A common cause: cracks in the roof slab.
Tools we use in Makkah
| 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 |
| 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
- Survey: Falls, drains and the condition of the old layer are recorded.
- Preparation: Cleaning and repairs before any new layer.
- Primer: The base coat that the system needs.
- Waterproofing layers and details: Corners, upstands and bases get their own detail.
- Flood test: The roof is flooded and checked before it is covered.
Makkah in facts and sources
| 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 |
| Liquid roof waterproofing (per m²) | SAR 10–25 per m² | Owner price list (Makkah) |
| 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 roof waterproofing for apartments?
We start with survey (falls, drains and the condition of the old layer are recorded), then preparation (cleaning and repairs before any new layer).
How much does roof waterproofing cost in Makkah?
From our published price list: Liquid roof waterproofing (per m²) SAR 10–25 per m²; Bitumen membrane (per m²) SAR 15–35 per m². Quantities are confirmed at the inspection.
What do I get at the end?
A quality record with photos and the flood-test result, in a technical report that carries a verification code.
What we advise against
- Ignoring the tank bases
- Covering the waterproofing before the flood test
What you get after the work
You receive: a quality record with photos and the flood-test result, in a technical report with a verification code.
Planning the visit in 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