Find the leak first

Refrigerant charging in Al Thaghr

In Al Thaghr, south Jeddah, refrigerant charging begins with finding and fixing leaks. Alrabih's team detects the leak, repairs it, vacuums the system and charges it to the correct type and amount.

  • Leak located
  • Vacuum and test
  • Accurate charge

Clients We're Proud to Serve

Organisations and companies that trusted Alrabih with their projects.

  • Saudi Aramco
  • Ministry of Energy
  • Royal Saudi Land Forces
  • Royal Saudi Naval Forces
  • Al Baik
  • Centro Hotels by Rotana
  • King Abdullah Economic City
  • First Mills
  • Juffali
  • eXtra
  • Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Medical Center
  • Alesayi Motors
  • Abu Zaid
  • Water Desalination
  • Attieh Steel
  • SSCO
  • Creet
  • Emad Rizq
  • Alfaneyah
  • Rawat Alam Al Tasmeem
  • IBI Magix Arabia — Construction Services
  • Midtown for Construction
  • Petra Engineering Industries Co.
  • Hyrmas
  • Batterjee Medical College
  • Advanced Horizons Contracting Company
  • D.Metals
  • Benchbox — Masters of Space
  • Sadafco
  • Umm Al-Qura University
  • Saudi Arabian Drug Store (SADS)
  • Foamco
  • Ahmad A. R. Bin Afif Industries Co. (Sandwich Panel Factory)
  • Namariq
  • ALS

Signs the charge is low

  1. 1

    Weak cooling and a compressor that runs on

    The unit runs for hours without bringing the temperature down, or cools very slowly. This is usually the first sign the charge is low and the circuit can no longer move heat efficiently.

  2. 2

    Frost on the pipes or evaporator coil

    Ice on the thin pipe or on the evaporator coil points to low refrigerant pressure. Continued running can damage the coil. Where the frost forms helps the technician narrow down the problem area.

  3. 3

    A refrigerator or cold room that will not hold temperature

    In commercial or industrial refrigeration equipment, a rising cabinet temperature means stock at risk. Low refrigerant is one possible cause, and confirming it needs pressure readings and a circuit check on site.

Who it's for

  • Your window or portable unit cools slowly

    We check circuit pressure, locate and repair the leak, then vacuum and charge to the type shown on your unit's nameplate.

    Ask on WhatsApp
  • Your cold room or commercial fridge will not hold temperature

    We measure pressure, identify why the cabinet temperature is rising, repair any leak found, then charge to the correct refrigerant type for that unit.

    Ask on WhatsApp

What the work covers

  • Pressure check and leak location
  • Leak repair before charging
  • Vacuum and tightness test
  • Charge to nameplate refrigerant
  • Run test and performance check
Request a quote

How we work

How we work

  1. 1

    Inspect and locate leak

    The technician measures circuit pressure and checks joints and components that corrode in Jeddah's humid, salty air, pinpointing the leak before any other step.

  2. 2

    Repair the leak

    The technician repairs the leak point, whether a loose joint, a cracked pipe or corrosion in part of the circuit. The unit is not charged until the repair is confirmed tight.

  3. 3

    Vacuum and pressure test

    The circuit is evacuated with a vacuum pump to remove air and moisture, then the reading is watched to confirm pressure holds before refrigerant is introduced.

  4. 4

    Charge and run

    The unit is charged to the nameplate type and amount, then run and checked for proper performance on site before handover.

Fix the leak or just top it up?

AlrabihThe usual way
The leakFound and fixed firstOften ignored
VacuumBefore every chargeSometimes skipped
Refrigerant typeAs the nameplate statesMay be mixed or swapped
CompressorProtected by correct chargeWorn by wrong charge
Refrigeration equipmentAC, fridges and cold roomsUsually AC only

Some of our work

Ductwork, rooftop units and diffusers, from work we've completed in Jeddah.

  • Galvanized rectangular duct trunk with branch takeoffs and round diffusers, hung from a black ceiling, a Carrier unit visible behind — interior finishing stage.
  • Round diffusers and a spiral duct trunk in a tiled stairwell service shaft.
  • Rooftop ductwork and an exhaust fan, with Jeddah buildings in the background.
  • Rooftop packaged AC units with rectangular duct transitions, city buildings behind.
  • Insulated rooftop duct run beside a packaged unit, a warehouse roof in the background.
  • A grid of round diffusers in an open-plan office ceiling, mid-construction.
  • An insulated rooftop duct elbow, against a mountainous backdrop.
  • Large insulated ductwork running along a factory ceiling, with workers visible below.
  • A yellow round diffuser mid-installation, with spiral duct and a suspended ceiling grid.
  • Duct insulation wrap in progress on a construction site, bare duct still exposed.
  • A black-painted duct trunk with round diffusers and track lighting, in a finished retail interior.
  • An indoor AHU unit connected to round ductwork in a mechanical plant room, exposed concrete ceiling.
Similar project? Send us the details

Customer reviews

What our customers say

4.8

From 10 Google reviews

  • 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”

Read every review on Google

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 review

Service 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.

Map of Jeddah by sector, with Alrabih's base in Al Aziziyah
Don't see your district?Message us. We most likely cover it.

What sets this district apart

Al Thaghr is a coastal area close to the sea, home to modern villas, apartment blocks and tourist facilities. High salinity and intense humidity accelerate corrosion of copper and steel in AC pipes and outdoor units. Systems here run year-round under severe pressure from heat and high humidity, raising leak risk. Before any charging, the system must be leak-free, or the refrigerant will escape again quickly.

Al Thaghr sits in south Jeddah near the coast, a seaside district of villas, apartment blocks and tourist facilities exposed to salt and humidity.

Most tourist facilities and villas use multi-unit splits or central systems, and outdoor units here corrode rapidly from the effects of moist coastal air.

The AC setup in Al Thaghr

  1. 1

    Multi-unit splits in villas and facilities

    Villas and tourist facilities in Al Thaghr use multi-splits, with outdoor units directly exposed to humidity and salt.

  2. 2

    Central system in large hotels

    Large hotels and resorts use complex central systems, with exposed pipes rapidly corroded by the coastal environment.

  3. 3

    Outdoor units exposed to salt and humidity

    Outdoor units here need regular checks and may require protective coating or replacement of corroded parts due to rapid deterioration.

Before the visit

Before our visit in Al Thaghr

  1. 1

    Ensure safe access to the outdoor unit

    Units on balconies or roofs may be in risky spots, ensure the team can access them safely without slipping or falling.

  2. 2

    Have salt spray or equivalent available for inspection

    We may need to carefully inspect the area around the outdoor unit to check for hidden corrosion or leaks, and clean water helps with cleaning.

  3. 3

    Tell us about the last service or repair

    If there have been previous repairs, tell us when and where so we avoid repeating mistakes and locate new leaks precisely.

FAQ

Questions about Refrigerant charging

Can you just add refrigerant without looking for the leak?

A sealed refrigerant circuit does not consume refrigerant. A low charge means there is a leak somewhere. Adding refrigerant without finding and repairing that leak brings the same fault back quickly and can damage the compressor. The correct sequence is always to locate the leak, repair it, pull a vacuum on the circuit, and then charge to the type and quantity shown on the unit's nameplate.

Where does refrigerant leak in commercial refrigeration equipment?

The most common points are expansion fittings and restrictions on the liquid line, flare joints at the evaporator and condenser, and service valves where the rubber seals have aged. In commercial refrigeration, old copper pipe welds weakened by continuous compressor vibration are also a frequent source. The exact location is found during the site inspection.

Does the refrigerant type affect how the unit performs?

Yes. Every unit is designed for a specific refrigerant type with defined operating pressures and heat transfer properties. Using a different type changes those pressures and can either overload the compressor or reduce cooling output. For this reason the unit is always charged with the exact type shown on its nameplate and no substitute is used.

Is the charging work different for a home AC unit and a commercial refrigerator?

Yes, they differ in several ways. Commercial refrigeration units operate at pressures and with refrigerant types distinct from those in air conditioners, and their target temperatures are much lower. The pipe circuits are also longer and often include multiple distributors and valves that require careful inspection before vacuuming and charging. The nature of each circuit determines the procedure.

Is the charging work different for a home AC unit and a commercial refrigerator?

The core steps are the same: locate the leak, repair it, vacuum the circuit, then charge to the nameplate type. Commercial refrigeration units sometimes have additional valves and components that require a different inspection approach. What each unit needs is determined by the technician on site after pressure readings and a circuit check.

Does coastal humidity speed up corrosion of copper pipes?

Yes, the salt and high humidity in Al Thaghr greatly speed up corrosion. We inspect pipes regularly and may recommend protective coating or replacing heavily damaged sections.

My outdoor unit is on a balcony facing the sea, does that increase leaks?

Yes, direct exposure to salty humid air speeds up rust in pipes and connections. We recommend checks at least every three months.

The outdoor unit is leaking refrigerant, how do you repair it in a coastal area?

We locate the leak precisely, clean salt and moisture from the area, repair it, vacuum thoroughly, and charge the system. We may recommend protective coating after repair.

My unit loses refrigerant quickly, is it because of the coastal climate?

The leak may be due to humidity and salt, but could also be from old corrosion in the pipes. We need precise electronic detection to locate it exactly.

The Jeddah corniche in cool weather

Start with the leak

WhatsApp us a photo of the unit or describe what you have noticed, and we will book the inspection and repair in your district, Saturday to Thursday.

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