Water tank cleaning in Al Sahifah, 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 Sahifah

Al Sahifah tanks are older than tanks in most Jeddah districts, and many have not been cleaned for many years. The method is set out in full on how we approach Water tank cleaning.

The first reason

Very old shared tanks on deteriorating rooftops

Al Sahifah tanks are very old and sit on roofs that are falling apart. Basic maintenance has not happened for many years. Some may not survive vigorous washing and the walls may crumble.

The second reason

High humidity and salt from proximity to the sea and port

Al Sahifah is close to the sea and Jeddah port, with very humid salt laden air. Old tanks corrode fast from salt and moisture, and steel reinforcement and metal pipes are heavily rusted.

The third reason

Dust and pollution from King Abdulaziz Road and dense commerce

King Abdulaziz Road is a main artery carrying heavy traffic, and the area is crowded with shops and markets. Dust, grit and oils from the roads and surrounding commerce enter the tanks.

The character of Al Sahifah

Apartment district: residential blocks, repeated floors and shared entrances

Al Sahifah apartment buildings mix residential flats with ground floor shops, and the tiny shared tank serves residents and businesses together. Shops draw heavily during business hours, reducing water pressure for the flats, and the old tank empties rapidly.

Before treatment

The condition of the tank decides the method

A very old city quarter in the heart of Jeddah with crumbling buildings and extremely narrow streets, where small shared tanks on degraded roofs urgently need maintenance.

Fine brown sediment beneath shallow water

The layer on the floor

Floor sediment is thick, adhesive and black from years without cleaning, and rust and heavy metals deposit densely.

Light and algae

Algae and fungi grow fast in warm damp water, and the deposits are very old and thick.

A damp concrete wall carrying a dark deposit

The deposit on the wall

A very thick black and green layer from humidity, salt and dust covers the walls.

A concrete surface with a fine hairline crack

The lining and hairline cracks

Very old concrete linings are heavily cracked from years of moisture and salt stress, and large cracks leak water continuously inward.

The lid of a water tank on a building roof

The lid and the access hatch

Lids and hatches are very old and completely loose, seals are broken and offer no protection.

A plastic pipe leaving the exterior wall of a building

The vent and the overflow pipe

Vent openings are completely blocked by dust, mould and debris accumulated over years.

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 Sahifah

Al Sahifah tanks sit on the roofs of old buildings along King Abdulaziz Road and Khalid ibn Al Walid Street, near Bab Sharif which separates the quarter from historic Al Balad. Access is via Old Makkah Road which bounds the district on the north.

Old Makkah Road
King Abdulaziz Road
Khalid ibn Al Walid Street
Bab Sharif
King Abdulaziz Mosque

Questions about this district

The flat is in Al Sahifah and water cuts off for hours every day. Is the block tank very old?

The Al Sahifah tank is very old and may not have been cleaned in years. Cleaning may improve pressure, but the tank may need full replacement if cracks are large.

Water from the tap is black sometimes and cloudy at other times. What is the answer?

The old tank sheds sediment and rust heavily. Very deep cleaning may help, but an old tank may not improve much if the lining is breaking down.

The building is old, the tank sits on the roof, and the roof seeps water. Is that normal?

The old roof is damp and the tank leaks from moisture. Leakage speeds tank corrosion from both inside and out. Both roof and tank may need repair or replacement.

Our flat is below a shop and the water smells strange like the grocery below. Is the tank contaminated?

Shop smells may enter through poorly sealed vent openings. Tank inspection will show whether true contamination exists. Better sealed vents may help.

The flat is below a shop, the tank is very old, and the shop sometimes closes its tap and our water cuts. Connected?

The shop may draw heavily during business hours. The tiny old tank cannot balance demand between shop and flat. You may need a larger or additional tank.

The street is very narrow and the building is old. How do you reach the tank on the roof?

Tight streets mean only small hand carried equipment. We may need to work through the old building or from an adjacent roof.

How much does water tank cleaning in Al Sahifah 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 Sahifah.