Water tank cleaning in Al Hajun, 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 Hajun

Tanks here are buried under building foundations and earth floors, and reaching them means breaking into the house and removing layers of rubble to get at the access point. The method is set out in full on what Water tank cleaning involves.

The first reason

Tanks buried under ancient building foundations

In Al Hajun the tanks are not on roofs but buried under floors and old footings. Getting to them means opening a floor or breaking into the structure, and the access holes are so small modern equipment cannot fit. Hand work replaces machine work and the job takes much longer.

The second reason

Cracks and leaks from the stone walls and seepage

The buildings are very old and stone faced, and the groundwater from Jabal Al Hajun leaks through them. Tanks have started to seep from hairline cracks in the cement render, because the water table pressure pushes from outside and weakens the shell.

The third reason

Pipes hung on outside walls are rusted through

The pipework is old and the metal is heavily corroded. Narrow sections and corroded joints need replacement before we can safely disinfect the water, otherwise the pipes themselves will recontaminate any clean water we put back through them.

Al Hajun on the map

Al Hajun sits about 0.5 km from Al Bayban and about 1.5 km from Al Diyafah.

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Before treatment

The condition of the tank decides the method

Al Hajun sits north west of the Grand Mosque around the Al Mualla cemetery on the slope of Jabal Al Hajun. The Second Ring Road cuts through from the east and Omar ibn Al Khattab Street passes through it, both major routes through the district.

Fine brown sediment beneath shallow water

The layer on the floor

Clay, sand and fine gravel collect on the bottom of buried tanks more than exposed ones, because groundwater carries fine particles that settle as sediment on the floor.

Light and algae

Light is rare in a tank buried below a floor, but cracks let small organic particles in that can grow slowly even without direct sun.

A damp concrete wall carrying a dark deposit

The deposit on the wall

The tank walls are coated with grey sediment and moisture, and in some cases thin mould if the tank is very old.

A concrete surface with a fine hairline crack

The lining and hairline cracks

The cement render is cracked and the cracks leak contaminated water from the soil surrounding the tank and may let in tiny roots.

The lid of a water tank on a building roof

The lid and the access hatch

The access hatch is old and very narrow and may lack a tight seal. The opening is dusty with leaves and dead insects in it.

A plastic pipe leaving the exterior wall of a building

The vent and the overflow pipe

The overflow pipe is often blocked with sand, leaves and insects, and air flow through it is weak or non existent in buried tanks.

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 Hajun

In Al Hajun access to the old houses comes from Hajun Street as it descends from the pass towards the Haram, or from Omar ibn Al Khattab Road which crosses the district from the east. The Al Mualla cemetery marks the western edge and the historic heart of the district clearly.

Al Mualla Cemetery
Jabal Al Hajun
Hajun Street
Second Ring Road
Omar ibn Al Khattab Road
Ain Zubaidah Street

Questions about this district

Why is the tank buried under the floor in Al Hajun?

Old buildings were designed to store water below ground to keep it cool and safe. Now that makes it hard to service. We have to lift the floor slab to reach it and then relay it, which adds time and disruption.

How often does an old buried tank need cleaning?

Buried tanks need it more often because slow leaks let moisture and sometimes soil seep in. We recommend every three months, not annually like newer tanks.

Can a leaking buried tank cause dampness in the rooms above it?

Yes, definitely. Moisture and mould appear in the walls around the tank. A permanent fix might mean moving the tank or buying a new sealed unit and installing it above ground instead.

Do rusty pipes make the water taste and look wrong?

Yes, they do. Rust dissolves and makes water brown and strange tasting. Corroded metal can also be a source of bacteria. In Al Hajun pipe replacement often needs to happen before disinfection works.

How long does cleaning a buried tank in old housing take?

Much longer than a roof top tank. We may need extra hours to lift flooring, reach the tank, clean it, and relay the floor. The tight space and old structure add time and care.

Should the house be left empty whilst we clean and disinfect?

It is best if the house is left for several hours while disinfection and ventilation finish. Some people want to stay, which is safe but windows must stay open the whole time.

How much does water tank cleaning in Al Hajun 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 Hajun.