Water tank cleaning in Al Andalus, Makkah

Potable-rated materials

Linings and disinfectants cleared for drinking water tanks, not general-purpose products.
You get the downtime first

How many hours the tank is out of service, told before we start rather than after we finish.
A first-draw flush

We run the first draw off after refilling, and the tank is not handed back until the water runs clear.
Ground and roof tanks

Villas, apartment blocks and premises that need a written record of each visit.

Why the job is different in Al Andalus

Small tanks in Al Andalus cycle very rapidly because so many residents and guests draw water together, and weak pressure makes complaints of supply cuts very common here. The method is set out in full on the full Water tank cleaning page.

The first reason

Shared small tanks serving high density apartment blocks

A single block tank serves dozens of flats and seasonal guests, and seasonal demand empties the tank multiple times daily. Repeated rapid discharge stirs sediment from the floor and prevents the tank from settling.

The second reason

Aged tanks with corroded steel and oxidised metal pipework

Al Andalus tanks are old and contain rusted reinforcement steel and oxidised brass and copper pipework. Water absorbs iron oxide and copper salts from the interior walls and turns red or green.

The third reason

Cracked linings and moisture from deteriorating flat roofs

Roofs of old apartment blocks are damp and seep water, and tanks sitting on them leak from below and the sides. Cracked linings admit contaminated water from outside and harbour wet deposits inside the tank.

Al Andalus on the map

Al Andalus sits about 1 km from Al Utaybiyah and about 1.5 km from Al Hajun.

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Before treatment

The condition of the tank decides the method

A crowded old residential quarter of close packed apartment blocks on narrow streets, with small tanks on exposed roofs subject to intense sun, wind stress and extreme thermal swings.

Fine brown sediment beneath shallow water

The layer on the floor

The floor sediment is thick and adhesive because water moves fast and carries iron oxide from corroded steel and old oxidised pipework throughout the block.

Light and algae

Algae grows on the interior walls of small tanks because light enters through poorly sealed vent and access openings, and the water stays warm in summer heat.

A damp concrete wall carrying a dark deposit

The deposit on the wall

Green or brown film covers the walls from algae and fungal growth that thrive in the high moisture and nitrogen in the water column.

A concrete surface with a fine hairline crack

The lining and hairline cracks

Old concrete linings have cracked from years of thermal expansion and contraction under extreme temperature swings, and they seep moisture from both inside and out.

The lid of a water tank on a building roof

The lid and the access hatch

Old lids are loose and seals have failed, access hatches may hang open and unsealed, allowing dust and insects to enter freely.

A plastic pipe leaving the exterior wall of a building

The vent and the overflow pipe

Vent openings are sometimes clogged with dust, spiders and debris, or hang so open that pollutants enter continuously.

How we work

1
Inspect before the drain

Tank type and material, the condition of the lining, the depth of the sediment, the lid and the vent, and where the drained water will go. We agree the window without supply before anything is opened.
2
Drain, then lift the sludge

The water leaves through the outlet, then the layer beneath it is taken out by hand and by suction. That layer is the reason for the visit, not the water that ran out ahead of it.
3
High pressure wash

Walls, floor and the joint where they meet, with a brush wherever the film resists, then the wash water is taken out completely so nothing we lifted settles again.
4
Disinfect and put back in service

Disinfectant over every internal surface, left for its contact time and then rinsed out, followed by the refill, a first draw off at the taps, and a report on what was inside the tank.

What water tank cleaning includes

An inspection before the valve

Tank type, lining condition, depth of sediment, lid and vent, recorded before any water leaves.
Full drain and sediment removal

The water through the outlet, and the layer below it by hand and by suction until the floor itself is showing.
Pressure washing walls and floor

High pressure across the surfaces and corners, and a brush on anything water alone will not lift.
Disinfection after the wash

A disinfectant intended for drinking water tanks, named to you before it is used, left for its contact time and then rinsed out.
Refill and the first draw off

We refill, run the taps so the new water moves through the pipework, and tell you when it is ready to use.
A report and the next date

What was inside the tank, anything on the lid or the lining that needs repair, and a sensible date for the next clean.

Landmarks of Al Andalus

Al Andalus tanks sit on the roofs of apartment blocks between Hajun Street and Al Jazair Street, close to the bustling Al Utaybiyah popular market where water pipes run under the narrow streets. Access to the tanks is easiest from the Third Ring Road, which bounds the district on its eastern edge.

Hajun Street
Third Ring Road
Al Jazair Street
Princess Al Anoud Mosque
Al Utaybiyah Market

Questions about this district

Water cuts out repeatedly at our flat during the day. Does it come from the shared tank?

The block tank empties fast because so many residents and guests use water heavily. The tank itself may need cleaning to remove sediment that clogs the outlet and reduces water flow pressure.

Water at the ground floor flat runs cloudy but the flat upstairs is clear. Why?

Ground floor flats receive water straight from the tank outlet and it carries sediment from the floor. Upper flats receive clearer water because it spends longer in the pipes before reaching them.

The shared tank is very old and black on the inside. Should it be replaced?

Black colour is bacterial and fungal growth. Deep cleaning and disinfection may solve it if the lining is sound. If cracks are large the tank may need replacement.

Our flat is above a ground floor shop on a shared tank. Does that hurt our supply?

The shared tank serves everyone equally. But shops may draw heavily at specific times. If supply repeatedly cuts, the building may need a larger tank or a second tank for the upper flats.

Water runs reddish from our tap in the first week of season. Why?

Intense summer heat on the old building roof speeds up oxidation of iron and copper. Cleaning and disinfection before the season starts helps reduce this problem.

Water seeps from the shared tank onto the stone walls of the building. Is it the tank?

Leaking from the tank means the lining has cracked or the seals have failed. This seepage increases moisture on the building walls and causes damp and mould. Repair is necessary.

How much does water tank cleaning in Al Andalus cost?

It is set after the inspection, because the price follows the type of infestation, the size of the space, how far it has spread and the number of visits it needs. Send a photo and a description on WhatsApp and we will give you an estimate before we reach Al Andalus.