Discoloured water, a smell, or sand in the taps? Before you call anyone, read this: safe checks you can do from inside the home, signs your tank needs cleaning or insulating, and the questions that protect your water.
All from inside the home. Don't climb onto the tank or into it, and don't open an underground tank yourself. That's the company's job.
Fill a clear glass from the tap and look at it in the light. Yellow or cloudy? Take a photo.
Smell the cold water from more than one tap. If every tap smells, it's probably the tank.
Unscrew the small filter at the end of the tap, check for sand or grit, and rinse it.
If it's been more than 6 months, or you don't know, it's probably time.
🚫 Never climb onto or into a water tank yourself. Cleaning and insulating are for the company.
And what usually causes them. Only the company can say for sure, but this helps you understand what they tell you.
Usually sediment or rust at the bottom of the tank. Cleaning removes it; if it comes back quickly, the pipes may be the problem.
Usually algae or bacteria in the tank, or a lid that doesn't close properly. It needs cleaning and disinfecting.
Sediment in the tank or from the water truck. Clean the tap filters, and have the company clean the tank.
A sign of a leak or cracks in the tank. It needs checking and insulating before it affects the foundations.
The tank is in direct sun. A shade or heat insulation makes a big difference.
Usually the lid is open or broken. Ask the company to replace the lid, then clean and disinfect the tank.
The type of tank and the job change the time and the price.
On the roof, and usually smaller.
Below ground, and usually bigger.
If the tank loses water or has cracks.
Cleaning the tank once or twice a year protects your family, and the pump, heater and pipes.
Ask the company to make sure the lid is closed and sealed so no dust or insects get in.
Order water from a known source, and check the truck looks clean before it fills your tank.
After the tank is cleaned, clean the tap and shower filters too: they hold old sediment.
Ask before any work starts. A good company won't mind.
Emptying, cleaning, disinfecting, rinsing and refilling? Ask about each step, not just "cleaning".
Ask which product, and make sure they rinse the tank well afterwards so no taste or smell is left.
If you're insulating, ask about the material and ask to see the tin.
Especially for insulation: how many years? Get it in writing, even on WhatsApp.
Ask for before-and-after photos from inside the tank before it's refilled.
Look at photos of past work and genuine reviews from earlier customers.
One sign on its own doesn't prove anything, but take care if you see them.
Ask about each step. Cleaning without disinfecting and rinsing isn't enough.
Or doesn't know if it's safe for drinking water. Think twice.
You can't be sure the work was done.
Insulation is expensive work. Get the guarantee in writing before they start.
Rough prices for homes. Use them to spot a quote that's way off, not as fixed prices. The final price depends on the tank size, how much sediment there is and how easy it is to reach.
| Service | Rough price |
|---|---|
| Small roof tank (under 5 m³) | SAR 150 – 250 |
| Medium tank (5 – 15 m³) | SAR 250 – 400 |
| Underground tank | SAR 300 – 700 |
| Underground tank insulation (cracks treated, insulation layers) | SAR 700 – 1,250 |
| Polyurethane tank insulation | SAR 1,200 – 1,500 |
💡 More than one tank? Clean them in the same visit. Some companies give a discount on the second and third tank.
🔧 An underground tank usually costs more than a roof tank of the same size, because it's harder to reach and empty.
A rough guide from 6 sources in Riyadh (October 2026), mostly price pages of cleaning companies. The final price is agreed between you and the company. Laqeeni doesn't set prices or take commission.
A normal home tank usually takes two to four hours; a large underground tank takes longer. Keep some drinking water aside first.
If your underground tank loses water or has cracks, insulation stops the leak and protects the water. If there's no problem, regular cleaning is enough.
No. Laqeeni is a directory that connects you with the company directly. You agree and pay between you.
Last updated: October 2026
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