Few of us think about the water tank as long as water reaches the tap. Yet the tank, on the roof or underground, is the first place the water you drink, cook and wash with passes through. In Madinah, with dust on most days of the year and fierce summer sun, a tank wears out faster than we expect.
Signs that say: check the tank
If you notice any of these, don’t put off looking at the tank:
- The water looks yellowish or cloudy, especially when you first open the tap in the morning.
- A strange smell or a taste you are not used to.
- Sand-like grains in the tap aerator or at the bottom of the kettle.
- The pump keeps switching on and off in a short time, or its sound has changed.
- A damp patch or standing water around the ground tank or under the roof tank.
A monthly check that takes ten minutes
Once a month, go up to the roof or open the ground tank room and look at three things: the lid, the float valve and the pipe joints. The lid should be firmly closed; a broken or lifted lid lets in dust, leaves and sunlight. The float valve should stop the water when the tank is full, otherwise it overflows, wastes water and may leak into the ceiling. On the joints, look for drips, rust or white mineral marks.
If your roof tank is plastic and sits in the sun all day, think about shading it. Direct sun heats the water and weakens the plastic over the years.
When does the tank need cleaning?
A full cleaning means emptying the tank, removing the sediment from the floor and walls, washing it and refilling it. We recommend it at least once a year, and twice if the tank is old or there is a lot of dust around it. It is also worth doing after major plumbing work, or when the water comes back an odd colour after a long cut.
This is not a job we suggest doing yourself, especially with ground tanks. Climbing into a closed tank carries a real risk from poor ventilation and slipping, and it needs the right tools and experience.
The owner or the tenant?
In most leases the owner looks after tank cleaning and pump repairs, because they are part of the property, and the tenant reports any change they notice in the water or the tank. What matters is that this is written in the lease, so a dirty tank does not turn into a dispute.
How we can help
In Mawadda’s periodic visits we check the tank, the float valve and the pump, and you get photos of their condition in the visit report. You can also order a roof or ground tank cleaning from the shop, once or as part of your annual package.