Find the leak first
Refrigerant charging in North Corniche
On North Corniche, Jeddah's modern hotels and residential towers need regular refrigerant charging because salt air accelerates corrosion of the copper lines. Alrabih's team locates the leak first, then vacuums and charges the circuit to the original type and volume.
- 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 |
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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”
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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
North Corniche buildings are modern and tall, mostly hotels and residential towers with central AC systems or large multi-zone chillers. Direct exposure to salt air from the sea accelerates electrochemical corrosion in copper tubing and joints, causing a slow, steady refrigerant leak. This means pinpointing the leak site with sensitive detection equipment is essential, otherwise topping up alone will only be a temporary fix.
North Corniche faces the northern Red Sea coast, a district of modern buildings and upscale hotels with direct exposure to salt-laden air.
Most units here are central cooling systems or chillers in plant rooms, with copper runs spanning high-exposure zones for salt spray and humidity.
The AC setup in North Corniche
- 1
Central chillers in hotel systems
Most hotels and towers rely on large central chillers, so a refrigerant leak affects cooling throughout the building.
- 2
Long copper runs exposed on roofs
Tubing connecting outdoor and indoor units runs across high roofs, directly exposed to salt air and sunlight.
- 3
Multiple outdoor units on tall buildings
Tall buildings may have dozens of outdoor units, each potentially needing separate leak detection and inspection.
Before the visit
Before our visit in North Corniche
- 1
Confirm roof and outdoor unit access
Hotels and towers may require security clearance or building management approval to access roofs and outdoor units.
- 2
Have the system type and original refrigerant data ready
Tell us the chiller or central system type and the original refrigerant used (R410A, R22, etc.) before the visit.
- 3
Note any suspected leak locations if known
If you see visible leaks or moisture around specific tubing, tell us the location to speed up the leak search.
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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.
Does salt air on the Corniche cause faster refrigerant leaks than other districts?
Yes, electrochemical corrosion of copper is faster near the sea. We use sensitive refrigerant leak detectors to trace the source before recharging.
Hotels and towers have large cooling systems, how do you charge such big quantities?
We work on chillers and central systems using professional charging and vacuum equipment, logging pressure and temperature at each stage to confirm the correct charge.
Copper runs on the roof are exposed to sun and salt spray, how do you handle this?
We scan the tubing for corrosion points and pinhole leaks using sensitive detectors, and recommend additional insulation or shielding when needed.
Water drains from outdoor units on roofs, does that affect the copper tubing?
Yes, water and salt together accelerate corrosion. We check the tubing around drain outlets and recommend improving drainage to avoid pooling moisture.
