Water tank cleaning in Al Mahamid, Jeddah

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 Mahamid

Tanks here sit surrounded by clay soil from unpaved streets, and high moisture around foundations speeds fungal growth on tank walls. The method is set out in full on the full Water tank cleaning page.

The first reason

Clay and dust from unpaved streets enter the tank

Unmade roads around the quarter raise clay dust especially in summer and windy months. It enters the tank through gaps and cracks, settling as a thick clay layer on the floor that clouds any water drawn.

The second reason

Mould thrives in damp conditions from poor drainage

Old drainage networks do not function well, so water pools around house foundations. Constant dampness creates ideal conditions for black mould on tank walls, producing toxins that flavour the water.

The third reason

Vacant plots shelter rodents and insects

Vacant land between houses and piles of building waste provide shelter for rats and cockroaches. They climb to tanks and leave droppings round openings, contaminating water and raising health risk.

The character of Al Mahamid

Mixed district: shops at street level with homes above them

Small shops in ground floor units draw more water than homes, and poor drainage leaves standing water around tanks, speeding fungal growth in the damp conditions.

Before treatment

The condition of the tank decides the method

An informal quarter on the eastern edge near the Old Makkah Road, entered from Harazat Road. Narrow unpaved streets and alleys, old drainage networks, and vacant plots between houses.

Fine brown sediment beneath shallow water

The layer on the floor

The floor layer is dark brown clay and foreign sand, thick and heavy, needing extended soaking and hard scraping to remove completely.

Light and algae

Green algae is sparse because clay blocks sunlight, but black fungi thrive in darkness and dampness.

A damp concrete wall carrying a dark deposit

The deposit on the wall

Wall deposits are thick brown clay mixed with mould, difficult to remove and requiring special fungicide treatments.

A concrete surface with a fine hairline crack

The lining and hairline cracks

Hairline cracks appear from lateral pressure of groundwater and constant dampness working on concrete.

The lid of a water tank on a building roof

The lid and the access hatch

The lid and access door are surrounded by mud and moisture, often difficult to open, and the maintenance hatch is very tight.

A plastic pipe leaving the exterior wall of a building

The vent and the overflow pipe

The vent opening is blocked by clay and mould buildup, and the overflow pipe may carry clay and sand from the surrounding ground.

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.

What is different about Umm Al Salam Sub-Municipality

The Umm Al Salam sub municipality covers the east and south east of Jeddah along the Old Makkah Road and the Haramain Road. It pairs recently planned districts such as Al Wahah, Al Nakhil and Al Shuruq with popular districts that grew outside formal planning, including Al Harazat, Al Mahamid and Umm Al Salam. The older areas have ageing drainage, unpaved streets and vacant plots where building waste collects, conditions that suit rodents, cockroaches and ants. The newer areas are ringed by half built subdivisions and open excavations.

Questions about this district

Why is the water cloudy and taste like clay?

Clay dust from unpaved roads enters the tank through cracks and vents; clay sediment is dense and settles quickly but clouds the water when disturbed.

Is black mould in the tank harmful?

Yes. Mould produces toxins that trigger respiratory allergies, fevers and skin irritation, especially in children.

Will paving the street help solve the problem?

Yes, significantly. Once streets are paved, dust and clay drop sharply, and tank cleaning becomes less frequent.

How often must tanks be cleaned in this type of area?

Every two months minimum. Clay and mould build up fast, more during dust season.

Do small cracks in the house leak water from the tank?

Slow leakage is common. Groundwater pressure from outside pushes water through cracks into the soil.

Are rats and cockroaches near the tank a health risk?

Yes. They leave disease-carrying droppings and may contaminate water through tank vents, causing diarrhoea and bowel infections.

How much does water tank cleaning in Al Mahamid 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 Mahamid.