Anyone who has spent a summer in Madinah knows the scene: the AC running from noon until after midnight, a fine layer of dust on the windowsill a day after you wiped it, and a roof that stays warm long after sunset. None of this is unusual, but it puts steady pressure on every part of the house. The good news is that most summer breakdowns give warning signs weeks in advance.
The AC: start before the heat does
Dust is the AC’s first enemy. A clogged filter makes the unit work harder for less cool air, and a dirty outdoor unit struggles to release heat. Wash the indoor filters every two weeks in summer; it takes a few minutes in the sink. Book a proper wash of the indoor and outdoor units before summer and again after it, and keep an eye out for water dripping from the indoor unit or a cooling that is weaker than usual.
If the problem turns out to be refrigerant, that is work for a licensed specialist only; opening the gas circuit is not a job for guesswork.
Windows: where the dust comes in
If you find dust inside the house even with the windows shut, look at the seals. The silicone around aluminium frames dries and cracks in the sun after a few years, leaving gaps for dust and heat. Renewing it is quick and noticeably reduces the dust and the load on the AC. Check the window tracks and shutters too, and the insect screens if you have them.
The roof: invisible until it isn’t
The roof takes the full force of the sun, and a tired waterproofing layer shows its cracks in the first rain. Walk on the roof once before winter: look for cracked or lifting insulation, blocked drains and standing water. A top-floor room that is much hotter than the rest of the house is often a sign that the roof needs attention.
Electrics: summer is the real test
More appliances run at the same time in summer, and that is when weak points show up: a breaker that trips repeatedly, a plug that feels warm, a light that flickers when the AC starts. Don’t ignore these, and don’t load a single socket with several adapters. A breaker that trips is doing its job; the question is why.
A simple calendar for the year
- Spring: AC wash, window seals and a check of the electrical points.
- Summer: filters every two weeks, and watch the breakers and sockets.
- Autumn: a second AC wash after the season.
- Before winter: the roof, the rain drains and the roof tank.
Mawadda’s annual subscription follows almost the same calendar: four visits a year, an AC wash and maintenance twice a year, an inspection engineer on two of the visits, and a photo report after every visit.