Water tank waterproofing in Makkah: before buying or handover

Prepared by the technical team · editorial review · last updated 13 November 2026 · Sources

What is specific about Makkah for water tank waterproofing

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).

Is a water tank in Makkah worth waterproofing before you buy a property or accept a handover? The short answer is yes, and the decision rests on what the tank has been holding and how it was built. Makkah's centre sits about 301 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data), so any tank here is part of a city where water storage is a daily necessity rather than a luxury. A leaking tank wastes water, damages the structure beneath it, and can turn a routine handover into an expensive dispute. Knowing the likely cost of repair before you sign gives you real bargaining power.

When you inspect, start with the tank's internal surfaces. Look for cracks, flaking, efflorescence (white salt deposits) and damp patches on the walls and floor, and check the joints where walls meet the base. Measure or estimate the wetted area, because most local quotes are priced per square metre. For reference, tank internal coating is typically SAR 25–65 per m², and epoxy coating is SAR 35–95 per m², so the coating you need will shape the budget. Where you see a crack running through the concrete, note its length, since crack injection is priced per metre at SAR 40–125 per m. Check the roof and any exposed top surfaces as well: liquid roof waterproofing runs at SAR 10–25 per m², while bitumen membrane sits at SAR 15–35 per m². If the tank sits at or below ground level, look at its outer walls too, where basement waterproofing ranges from SAR 55–160 per m².

Before the visit, gather the paperwork and make access easy. Ask the seller or landlord for any previous repair records, the date the tank was last cleaned, and details of any leak complaints. Arrange for the tank to be emptied and dried on the day of the inspection so the surfaces can be assessed properly; a tank full of water hides the very defects you need to see. Take photographs and measurements of every visible crack and damp area, and write down the dimensions of the tank so you can compare quotes on a like-for-like basis. With these notes in hand, you will be able to discuss the work calmly and agree on who pays for it before the keys change hands.

Before buying or taking over a property, an inspection gives you findings in writing before you sign.

Signs worth paying attention to

If you notice one of these signs in Makkah, it is a good moment to talk to the team:

• Unusual colour or taste in the water
• Deposits and flaking inside the tank
• A tank that leaks after testing

The most common causes

• Construction joints.
• Cracks in the walls or floor — we check this before anything else.
• Damaged old coating.

Tools we use in Makkah

From the first visit to the report

1. Emptying and ventilation: The tank is emptied and ventilated before entry.
2. Cleaning and preparation: Loose material is removed down to a sound surface.
3. Crack treatment: Active cracks are treated first.
4. Coating layers: A material intended for drinking-water tanks is applied.
5. Disinfection and fill test: The tank is disinfected and the level is monitored after filling.

Quick comparison: facts and costs in Makkah

Common questions about water tank waterproofing in Makkah

What we advise against

• Using a material that is not intended for drinking water

The written outputs

You receive: the material name, its batch number and the fill-test result, in a technical report with a verification code.