Find the leak first
Refrigerant charging in Al Wadi
In Al Wadi, south Jeddah, a densely residential area of mid-rise blocks and multi-storey flats, refrigerant loss requires careful diagnosis because piping runs across several floors and faces constant pressure and stress. Alrabih's team pinpoints the leak precisely, repairs it, then evacuates and charges the system with the correct refrigerant type.
- Leak located
- Vacuum and test
- Accurate charge
Clients We're Proud to Serve
Organisations and companies that trusted Alrabih with their projects.
Signs the charge is low
- 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
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
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 WhatsAppYour 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.
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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
How we work
How we work
- 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
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
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
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?
| Alrabih | The usual way | |
|---|---|---|
| The leak | Found and fixed first | Often ignored |
| Vacuum | Before every charge | Sometimes skipped |
| Refrigerant type | As the nameplate states | May be mixed or swapped |
| Compressor | Protected by correct charge | Worn by wrong charge |
| Refrigeration equipment | AC, fridges and cold rooms | Usually AC only |
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
Al Wadi is a dense residential area of mid-rise blocks and multi-storey flats, where copper piping often runs through tight external voids or inside walls from the flat to the outdoor unit on the roof or side wall. This complex path increases the risk of small leaks, especially at joints and bends, and finding the leak may take longer as the team traces the piping route carefully.
Al Wadi is a dense residential district south of Jeddah, with mid-rise blocks and multi-storey apartment buildings.
Most flats here have one or two splits, with piping running up external walls or narrow ducts to reach the outdoor unit.
The AC setup in Al Wadi
- 1
Split units with long vertical piping
Flats in multi-storey blocks need piping that climbs several floors to reach the roof-mounted unit, requiring a charge matched to the actual vertical distance.
- 2
Shared outdoor units on roofs
Some blocks have shared roof-mounted units serving multiple flats, which need coordination with building management before charging.
- 3
Copper piping in wall-mounted ducts
Piping often runs through external wall ducts on the building side, exposing it to direct sun and humidity, increasing leak risk.
Before the visit
Before our visit in Al Wadi
- 1
Confirm the outdoor unit location precisely
Tell us if the unit is on the roof or a side wall, and whether it is shared with other flats or belongs only to you.
- 2
Coordinate with building management if needed
If the unit is on the roof or shared, get building management's approval for the visit and let us know of any time restrictions.
- 3
Ensure access to internal piping
Check that piping running through or outside the flat's walls is visible or reachable for inspection, and let us know if it is hidden inside walls.
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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.
Our pipes run inside tight wall ducts, is it hard to find a leak there?
Yes, leaks inside wall ducts need careful inspection with a specialist gas detector, and we trace moisture and oil on the pipe surface rather than guessing.
Our outdoor unit is on the roof, does it take longer to reach it?
Yes, roof-mounted units may take extra time depending on building height and access route, which we check when you call to book.
Our flat is on the fourth floor, does the pressure increase leaks?
Long vertical piping exposes the unit to higher pressure, which can speed up the development of leaks in older pipes or loose joints.
After fixing the leak, how much refrigerant does the flat need?
The amount depends on the unit's capacity and the actual piping length from the flat to the roof, and we charge to the nameplate amount after fully evacuating the system.
