Water tank sealing in Harat Al Yaman Jeddah
Harat Al Yaman is among the oldest quarters inside the wall, and its houses are built of coral stone that absorbs moisture and salt readily. Water tanks here face particular challenges because water leaks through the old coral walls and weak foundations. Sealing requires understanding the traditional structure of the houses and water pressure on thin stone walls.
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Potable-rated materials
Linings and disinfectants cleared for drinking water tanks, not general-purpose products.
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You get the downtime first
How many hours the tank is out of service, told before we start rather than after we finish.
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A first-draw flush
We run the first draw off after refilling, and the tank is not handed back until the water runs clear.
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Ground and roof tanks
Villas, apartment blocks and premises that need a written record of each visit.
Why the job is different in Harat Al Yaman
Houses date back two centuries or more, built of raw coral stone, and moisture and salt have changed the stone's colour and weakened its outer layers. The method is set out in full on what Water tank sealing involves.
Coral stone absorbs water and salt
The old houses are built of unprocessed coral stone, which is highly porous and absorbs salt from the coastal air and moisture from rain. Water tanks leak through this stone easily.
Weak foundations and deep joints
Traditional houses lack strong concrete foundations. Water leaks through stone joints and foundation cracks into lower floors. Old tanks have lost their original protective layers.
Narrow access and buried tanks
The surrounding alleys are extremely narrow, and tanks are often buried under courtyards or on old roofs. Access is limited and tanks sit under water pressure from damp soil.
Landmarks of Harat Al Yaman
Access to tanks in Harat Al Yaman is defined by the narrow alleys and famous traditional buildings surrounding them. Nasseef House, Jamjoom House, Al Shaarawi House and the popular souqs along Al Alawi Street serve as landmark anchors that define location and approach.
- Nasseef House
- Souq Al Alawi
- Bab Sharif
- Jamjoom House
- Barhat Nasseef
What we read before any material is opened
A densely packed historic quarter in the southern part of Al Balad south of Al Alawi Street toward Bab Sharif, with old coral stone buildings, traditional houses and popular souqs.
Cracking in the wall
Voids and cracks in coral stone collect water and cause slow seepage into outer walls and foundations beneath.
The floor to wall joint
Joints between old stone blocks are main pathways for water and salt, some open on both inside and outside faces.
The condition of the old lining
Thin stone foundations cannot trap seeping water, and moisture rises from soil into internal walls.
Sediment and scale
High salt content in air and soil causes the stone to crumble from the surface, removing natural protective layers.
The pipe entries
Damp stone walls weaken further with each wet and dry cycle, and new cracks appear each season.
The hatch and the vent
Year-round humidity in Jeddah means tanks sit under constant water and salt pressure from surrounding soil.
How we work
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1
Inspect with the tank empty
We drain it and read the surface dry: whether the water leaves through a crack, a joint or a pipe collar, and what the outer face of the wall and the ceiling below are telling us. A level test with the valves closed separates a leaking tank from leaking pipework.
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2
Clean and prepare the substrate
Sediment out, a high pressure wash, the loose old lining and the weak surface layer of the concrete taken back, then dried. The material grips sound substrate and nothing else.
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3
Make the cracks and joints good
Cracks are chased out and filled with a repair mortar, a cove is formed where the floor meets the wall, and every pipe collar is treated on its own.
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4
Lining, fill test, sterilisation
Successive coats, each run across the one beneath it, on the face the water touches. Then a full cure, a fill with the level watched, and sterilisation with the first fill run to waste before the tank returns to use.
What water tank sealing includes
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Finding where the water leaves
Carried out drained and dry: cracks, joints, pipe collars and the outer face of the wall.
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Draining and sediment removal
The last of the water and the settled layer on the floor come out, because a lining does not stick over sediment.
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Cracks and joints made good
The crack opened and filled, a cove formed at the floor to wall junction, and each pipe entry worked separately.
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Lining coats on the water face
More than one coat, each crossing the one below, in material made for drinking water tanks rather than roof waterproofing.
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Curing, fill test and sterilisation
The material is left to cure, the tank is filled and the level watched, then sterilised and the first fill run to waste. How long the cure takes follows the material and the weather, and we tell you before the date so you can plan around the supply.
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A follow-up level check
We come back once it is in service to read the level and check the outer face, because any remaining loss shows up then rather than on the day of the work.
What is different about Historic Jeddah Municipality
The Historic Jeddah municipality covers the quarters of Al Balad inside the old wall: Al Mazloum, Al Sham, Al Yaman and Al Bahr. The buildings are tall houses of coral limestone and timber rawashin, centuries old, standing shoulder to shoulder on narrow lanes that see little sun, many under restoration or partly vacant. The ground is low and close to the sea and the harbour, humidity stays high through the year, and popular souqs and eateries trade late into the night. Old timber, voids between walls and goods stores create conditions favoured by termites, cockroaches, rodents and wood boring beetles.
Questions about this district
Can coral stone work as a tank without sealing?
No. Coral stone is highly porous and water penetrates after a few years. Strong sealing is essential because the stone alone will not hold water.
Why do tanks in Harat Al Yaman leak faster than elsewhere?
Coral stone is weak and very old, and salt and moisture have weakened it further. Leaking began long ago and walls need deep repair before sealing.
Do we need to move the tank to clean it in these narrow houses?
Sometimes yes. The alleys are very narrow and tanks are often buried under courtyards. If the tank is accessible we work from outside. If not, we work within the building.
Are roof tanks better than buried ones in this quarter?
Roof tanks are exposed to salt and sun directly, but easier to clean and repair. Buried tanks are more protected but leaks damage old foundations.
How often does sealing need redoing in these old coral houses?
It depends on material quality and humidity. In Harat Al Yaman it may need resealing after 5-7 years because moisture and salt attack the outer layers.
Is stone joint repair enough or do we need full sealing?
Joint repair matters but is not enough. The stone itself transmits water slowly, so full sealing on the water face is essential for lasting protection.
How much does water tank sealing in Harat Al Yaman 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 Harat Al Yaman.
Nearby districts we cover
Other services in Harat Al Yaman
Other services we provide to residents of Harat Al Yaman.
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Water tanks
Water tank cleaning
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Water tanks
Water tank sterilization
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Water tanks
Tank leak repair
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Residential
Cockroach control
Need water tank sealing in Harat Al Yaman? Tell us what you saw and we will tell you what it needs
We reach Harat Al Yaman at a time we agree, and you get the full cost before we start.