The unit above the ceiling
Concealed central AC in Old Airport
In the Old Airport area, central Jeddah's warehouses and commercial buildings rely on concealed central AC in the ceiling. When ventilation weakens or damp appears, Alrabih's team opens the access panel, cleans the coil and pan, checks the drain and trap, and keeps the ceiling intact.
- Stain-free ceiling
- Clean drain
- Balanced airflow
Clients We're Proud to Serve
Organisations and companies that trusted Alrabih with their projects.
When does a concealed unit need attention?
- 1
A damp stain on the plasterboard
Yellowing or a swollen plasterboard panel below the unit means the drain pan is overflowing. The cause is usually a blocked drain line or a dry trap that has lost its air seal, and leaving it widens the stain and damages the board.
- 2
Weak air from certain grilles
When grilles in one room weaken while others stay cool, the evaporator or blower inside the concealed unit needs cleaning. Jeddah's heavy dust settles on the fins and blower wheel and gradually cuts the airflow.
- 3
Humming or vibration from above
A recurring sound from the ceiling void may come from the blower wheel if it is dirty or unbalanced, or from the unit if its mounts have loosened. Finding the source means reaching the unit through the access panel and inspecting inside.
Who it's for
Installing a concealed unit in your new home
We check the ceiling void depth, mark the unit position, access panel location and drain route before the plasterboard is closed, so nothing needs reopening later.
Ask on WhatsAppA ceiling stain has appeared in your office or shop
We reach the concealed unit through the access panel, find whether the overflow is from the drain pan or the drain line and fix it without breaking the fitted-out ceiling.
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What the service covers
- Access panel check
- Evaporator coil and drain pan
- Drain fall and trap test
- Blower check and airflow balance
- Electrical readings and overflow tray
How we work
How we work
- 1
Locate and access
We check that the access panel is in the right place and large enough for the technician to reach the full unit without damaging the ceiling; if there is no panel, we mark where one should go.
- 2
Internal inspection
Through the access panel the technician inspects the evaporator, blower, drain pan and drain line and records the condition of each, so we know exactly where the fault is before starting work.
- 3
Clean and reset the drain
We clean the evaporator with a suitable cleaner, clean the blower wheel and drain pan, then flush the drain, check the trap and confirm the line falls the right way all the way to the discharge point.
- 4
Run and confirm
We run the unit, measure airflow at each grille and watch the drain pan to confirm no water is collecting, then show you what we found and what we did.
Proper service or wait for damage?
| Alrabih | The usual way | |
|---|---|---|
| Drain pan | Cleaned and fall confirmed | Overflows, ceiling stains |
| Drain trap | Checked and refilled if dry | Dries, air enters line |
| Evaporator coil | Cleaned, cooling maintained | Dust cuts cooling |
| Access panel | Located and easy to reach | Missing or in the wrong place |
| Blower wheel | Cleaned, balance restored | Dirt causes vibration |
Everything your AC needs, from one team
From system design and duct fabrication to installation, commissioning and maintenance.
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Some of our work
Ductwork, rooftop units and diffusers, from work we've completed in Jeddah.
Customer reviews
What our customers say
- Muhammadramzan 2641
“MashaaAllah. Services are so good. Behaviour and kindness 100/100. Prices are less then Market. Fully recommended”
- shahzeb armani
“Wow. Prices are so comfortable. Outstanding services. People are so talented and nice”
- Tawfik AlyawerLocal Guide
“U can find all u need for air conditioning”
Your satisfaction matters to us! If you had a great experience with us, we'd love a 5-star rating and a kind review.
Worked with us? Leave a reviewService areas
We come to you anywhere in Jeddah
From Al Shiraa and Al Yaqout in the north to Al Thaghr and Al Quraiyat in the south, with our base in Al Aziziyah.
What sets this district apart
Old Airport is a light commercial and industrial zone with warehouses, workshops and storage buildings, mostly fitted with concealed central AC to cover large areas. These units work under heavy stress from dust and humidity from logistics activity, and dust and contaminants clog the coil fast. Drain pan leaks risk damaging goods and inventory as well as the ceiling. Regular cleaning and checking drainage and the trap are vital to prevent breakdowns and cooling loss.
Old Airport is a light commercial and industrial central Jeddah zone with warehouses and workshops.
Most central units here sit in ceilings but face higher usage pressure than residential areas.
The AC setup in Old Airport
- 1
Powerful concealed central unit in ceiling
Warehouses and workshops need powerful central units to cool large areas under high daily usage pressure.
- 2
Enhanced drainage system for higher water volumes
Warehouse drainage systems may be thicker and wider diameter to handle larger condensation volumes.
- 3
Double protective traps preventing backflow
Some warehouses may need double traps to prevent air and moisture backflow in high-pressure environments.
Before the visit
Before our visit in Old Airport
- 1
Ensure team access to ceiling and roof
Tell us about any access restrictions to the ceiling or roof, and confirm stairs and walkways are safe before the visit.
- 2
Clear space around the outdoor unit
The outdoor unit may be on the roof or external wall. Ensure the area is clear of objects and obstacles.
- 3
Point out external drain outlets
Show us the location of the external drain outlet(s) so we can inspect the full line from the unit to outside.
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FAQ
Questions about Concealed central AC
How does the technician reach the unit without breaking the ceiling?
Through the dedicated access panel in the plasterboard. If the panel is there and directly in front of the unit, the technician goes straight in. If it is missing or in the wrong place, we mark the right position and cut it cleanly without touching the rest of the ceiling.
What causes the drain pan to overflow onto the plasterboard?
The two most common causes in Jeddah are a drain line blocked by algae that grow in the high humidity, and a dry trap that lets air in and stops the water moving. Both can be fixed without replacing the unit, provided there is no mechanical damage.
Does Jeddah's humidity affect concealed units more than other types?
Yes, a concealed unit sits in a closed void with little ventilation, so more condensate collects on the drain pan than in an exposed unit. That makes the drain line and trap more likely to block or dry out, and keeping them clear matters more here than for any other unit type.
Can a concealed unit go into a ceiling that does not have enough depth?
The depth needed varies with the unit type and dimensions, and only a site survey decides. If depth is borderline, we check whether the plasterboard ceiling can be dropped slightly in the unit zone. If that is not possible, we suggest a better fit for the room size and ceiling height.
Does the plasterboard ceiling need a minimum void depth to fit both the concealed unit and the drain line?
Yes, the unit body needs a certain height, and on top of that the drain line must slope continuously from the unit to the discharge point. The actual void depth required depends on the unit type, the drain run length and where the discharge is; only a site survey gives the exact answer.
Dust and contaminants from logistics activity affect the central unit, how do you handle that?
We carefully wipe the coil, pan and trap free of all dust and contaminants. We may recommend a higher-efficiency filter to better protect the coil.
Can water leaks from the unit damage stored goods below it?
Yes, water leaks can damage goods and inventory. During cleaning, we carefully inspect the pan, trap and drain to ensure water flows safely out of the warehouse.
Warehouses open and close doors frequently; does that strain the central unit?
Yes, repeated door openings draw in hot outside air and contaminants, increasing cooling load. The unit works harder and gets dirtier faster. Cleaning every month to six weeks is essential.
How do you ensure water safely transfers from the hidden unit to outside the warehouse?
We open the access panel, trace the drain pipes from the pan and trap to the external outlet, and confirm there is no blockage or leakage anywhere along the route.
