Waterproofing FAQ Dubai – Honest Answers

Yes, in almost all cases. The waterproofing membrane must be applied to the structural concrete slab to be effective. Applying a membrane over existing tiles is a surface treatment, not waterproofing. Tiles are removed, the substrate is prepared and primed, the membrane is applied in minimum two coats with fibre reinforcement at all joints, a flood test is conducted, and then new tiles are laid.

A flood test involves blocking the drain, filling the bathroom or balcony floor with 25–50mm of water, and leaving it for 24 hours. We then inspect the ceiling of the unit below to confirm no seepage. This test is the only objective confirmation the membrane is watertight. Yes, it is included in all our bathroom and balcony waterproofing services.

For bathroom and balcony floors: flexible two-component cementitious membrane (polymer-modified cement) is the standard and most compatible with standard tile adhesives. For roof and exposed terrace areas: polyurethane liquid membrane or modified bitumen torch-applied systems, with a UV-protective topcoat. For basements with hydrostatic pressure: crystalline waterproofing or negative-side cementitious tanking.

Not with a proper membrane system. Surface waterproof sealants applied over tiles do not address the substrate below and fail quickly. Injection grouting can seal active cracks without tile removal but is not a substitute for a full membrane system. If you want the leak genuinely repaired, tile removal is part of the process.

This is very common. Water travels horizontally through concrete slabs before descending. The source of the stain on your ceiling can be a bathroom, kitchen, or balcony several metres away from where the stain appears. Visual inspection of the floor above is insufficient — we use moisture meters to trace the actual source before scoping any repair.

Contact us to arrange an inspection of your bathroom — looking for hollow tiles, grout cracks, and moisture meter readings. If our inspection confirms your bathroom is the source, we scope and price the membrane replacement. Until the source is confirmed, do not agree to pay for repairs to the ceiling below — fix the source first.

Signs of balcony waterproofing failure include: ceiling stains in the room or unit directly below the balcony, water pooling on the balcony surface after rain that takes more than an hour to drain, cracked or hollow-sounding balcony tiles, and visible moisture or mould at the base of the sliding door or parapet wall. Any one of these signs warrants an inspection.

Tile removal, substrate preparation, minimum two membrane coats (with drying time between each), the 24-hour flood test, and retiling typically takes 3 to 5 days in total for an average bathroom. Preparation and membrane application alone — before tiling — takes 2 to 3 days.

Tile removal, drainage slope correction (if needed), membrane application, hose testing, and retiling typically takes 3 to 5 days for an average apartment balcony. If drainage slope correction is not required, the timeframe is closer to 2 to 3 days.

Removal of the failed existing membrane, surface preparation, primer, minimum two membrane coats, UV topcoat, and hose test typically takes 2 to 4 days depending on the villa roof area and extent of existing membrane removal required.

Yes. We apply interior (negative-side) cementitious and crystalline tanking systems to villa basement walls and floors to resist hydrostatic groundwater pressure. For accessible exterior surfaces, we also apply positive-side membrane systems. Basements in Palm Jumeirah and Arabian Ranches villas are common applications.

We are based in Al Quoz and serve all major Dubai areas including Dubai Marina, JVC, Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, Arabian Ranches, Palm Jumeirah, and surrounding communities. WhatsApp us with your area to confirm availability and get an estimate.