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Post by Maria ali on Sept 20, 2014 6:24:41 GMT
o! I have a quick question. How big is the maids room. Is it big enough for queen size bed?
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Post by tousson on Nov 8, 2014 9:56:38 GMT
Ok, Sweet tap is NOT potable water. It's not used for drinking. Contrary to the definition told us in orientation that Sweet water/tap is supposed to be Reverse Osmosis, it is NOT. It has chlorine and flouride and other chemicals in it for washing stuff with. Do not drink it. The plumber just informed us today of this point. My hands are nearly destroyed from the water so I showed him and he said maybe he adds too much chlorine and will recalibrate what he is doing.  In Rakah, in the new housing extension section, if you want drinkable water you must either purchase a Brita or Zero water filtration product, shower filters, sink filters, etc. or purchase bottled drinking water at the Commissary/Lulu 's. They can do a whole house filter but it is very costly to add this to your incoming water line. They want 3600SAR (about 900.00USD) for a fence that is 21'x21' but is permanent and includes paint. I can only imagine what they'd charge for an inline filter so I didn't ask the cost - LOL! We picked up shower filters and have a Zero water. The plumber came and installed the shower filters today. Also you should flush several times when you potty in these new villas - there are no p-traps to keep sewer gases out - the manhole in the outside utility room will build up and the sewage gases will infiltrate your home via the air gaps placed in every bathroom, kitchen, laundry and utility room. Good Luck! Belinda |
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Post by fsaeed81 on Nov 11, 2014 2:41:53 GMT
Yes, I will also recommend bottled water or bringing filters. We were under the impression that sweet water is drinkable so we did drink it upon coming to ksa, at one time we put it into a plastic water bottle next to our bed; in a day, the bottle became light yellow. Saudi friends also told me to not drink the sweet water. They say it's "drinkable" but not many people that have additional options drink it.
I had no idea about the sewer gasses, we simply thought it was only our house with the issue. The downstairs bathroom sometimes becomes unbearable so we always keep the exhaust fan running
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Post by Oiltanker on Nov 26, 2014 17:25:09 GMT
Dear vpainter
I’m due to arrive at Rakkah in January 2015, family of 5, 3 kids aged 3, 2 and 0.9.
Would you be so kind as to email some current photos to me and, if possible, a schematic of the compound showing villa #’s?
Thanks!
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Post by vpainter on Dec 2, 2014 5:34:45 GMT
Sent you an email. No map of the compound with villa numbers will be sent.
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Post by OptimusEng on Dec 8, 2014 13:16:43 GMT
Hi VPainter, my RL adviser has confirmed that I'll reside in Al Rakah (GC 14/family status), could you please send pictures of a typical villa for a family of five (two adults and three toddlers).
Thank you,
Solomon
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Post by vpainter on Dec 9, 2014 5:34:58 GMT
Sent you an email.
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Post by NoleinKSA on Jan 30, 2015 18:33:33 GMT
Hi vpainter-
I noticed everyone is asking for specific pictures of the villas, has something changed from the information provided from the RL advisor and brochures + orientation? We finished orientation in Dec '14. If not, and the dimensions are fairly consistent for a family of 5, then I would just like to know. If something has changed, then yes can you share with me as well?
GC14/3kids/spouse/me
Thanks for your patience.
Joe
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Post by vpainter on Feb 6, 2015 13:29:28 GMT
Joe,
Nothing has changed.
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Post by ToesInTheSand on Jul 3, 2015 16:55:18 GMT
Good day Rakah residents,
I was given a verbal notification that an offer is coming and the likely housing would be in Rakah for my family of 4.
A couple of questions and some thoughts to share.
How big are these drains that have the sewer gases backing up through them? I have experienced similar issues several times in my business travel in Africa and Indonesia. I don't know why p-traps aren't installed at the point of service when it is such a simple solution. I usually grab a wash wet wash cloth and lay it over the drain / vent to help keep the smell down. This is an easy fix for the short term.
I imagine a rubber drain cover would suffice for a longer term solution, however I am unsure how that might affect the overall drainage of the other bathroom / kitchen drains.
I read about the sweet water issues... has anyone gone down the path of installing a whole-house filtration system, or at least an undersink reverse osmosis / UV system? If so, how much are those systems running and are they available locally?
I would also love for someone to forward that email regarding Rakah housing that I read about.
Cheers!
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Maursh
Senior Member
Posts: 169
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Post by Maursh on Jul 18, 2015 14:03:54 GMT
Hi Toesinthesand,
We have lived in Rakah for 18+ months and are very happy with it. The water we use straight from the tap for cooking with, filter for making tea and bottled water for drinking direct - it is classified as "potable" as far as I am aware, although this doesn't necessarily mean it tastes like Evian. There has been no need for filters on the showers or anywhere else - the residents in Dhahran no doubt regard us as spoilt with our sweeer on demand. Also, no issue with "sewer backing gases" in our villa!! I am not sure what the above post is referring to by the new housing section. Some other residents have complained that the drains smell from time to time, a bleach / boiling water mix seems to sort it out though, like anywhere else.
For what it's worth: I am currently vacationing in down-town Melbourne, Australia in a modern high rise apartment. The drains here smell far worse than anything I have experiencd in Rakah!
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Post by PAO13 on Jul 29, 2015 21:49:51 GMT
Hi vpainter / all
my RL adviser has confirmed that I'll reside in Al Rakah (GC 15/family status). Moving in early september
If possible could you please send pictures of a typical villa for a family of four (two adults and two toddlers).
Also very keen to meet people / neighbors. Is there any suggestion on how to get involved in the social activities in al rakah.
Finally, is there any information about the preschool on the compound, and if they have any availability (my son is 3 years old)
Thank you for your help
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Post by NoleinKSA on Aug 1, 2015 19:56:32 GMT
The sewer gases. Yes they are present. We have them from time to time in our unit, not a big deal really when you think you moved across the world to get here... this is really insignificant compared to transitioning in our experience.
Wet s wont stop it in our experience, it will only make it worse over time. We have small kids so we "duck tape" them (the drain covers) shut so they do not play with them/pick them up. But our weekly chore is to pull up all the drains and pour water down them (does not need to be hot or with bleach). Its a function of water level. Adding chemicals is not recommended as the mixture of the sulphur and bleach is not what people probably want to breathe in. Performing this routinely (pouring water down the drains) significantly reduces the tendency to them to migrate into your villa if they are present.
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Maursh
Senior Member
Posts: 169
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Post by Maursh on Aug 3, 2015 22:29:29 GMT
PAO13,
Your RL should be able to provide you with a PDF of Rakah with lots of photos and floors plans etc.
When you arrive in Rakah you will find information on social event and recreational activities available on the noticeboards in the centre or through word of mouth.
Pre-school space: because the community is so transient with others going through a similar process to yourself and yet more still relocating away from Rakah, no one can possibly say whether there is space until you arrive. For what it's worth, I have never heard of anyone not having a place if they were eligible for one.
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Post by vpainter on Aug 8, 2015 20:27:08 GMT
PAO13, I sent you an email.
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In Rakah, in the new housing extension section, if you want drinkable water you must either purchase a Brita or Zero water filtration product, shower filters, sink filters, etc. or purchase bottled drinking water at the Commissary/Lulu 's. They can do a whole house filter but it is very costly to add this to your incoming water line. They want 3600SAR (about 900.00USD) for a fence that is 21'x21' but is permanent and includes paint. I can only imagine what they'd charge for an inline filter so I didn't ask the cost - LOL! We picked up shower filters and have a Zero water. The plumber came and installed the shower filters today.
