Underground tank leak detection for villas in Al Rwaby, Jeddah

Prepared by the technical team · editorial review · last updated 13 November 2026 · Sources

Why underground tank leak detection differs in Al Rwaby

The centre of Al Rwaby is at 21.4682, 39.2689, about 13 km from the centre of Jeddah, with an approximate radius of 1.2 km. The service-area circle on the map below is drawn from this point. Main roads in or near Al Rwaby: Haramain Road, Old Makkah Road, Abdullah Suleiman Street.

The centre of Al Rwaby sits about 52 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data). Al Rwaby is about 9 km from the sea coast (OpenStreetMap).

Villas in Al Rwaby often run into the same problem with underground water tanks: a slow leak that goes unnoticed because the water level drops gradually and the surrounding ground stays dry. Owners tend to notice only when the pump runs more often, the water bill climbs, or damp appears along a garden wall. By then the leak may have been draining the tank for weeks. Leak detection on these properties usually starts with checking the tank's walls, floor and inlet and outlet connections, then confirming whether the loss is from the tank itself or from the pipework that runs to the villa.

The local facts shape how this work is approached. The centre of Al Rwaby sits at 21.4682, 39.2689, about 13 km from the centre of Jeddah, with an approximate radius of 1.2 km, so most villas here are on a single, fairly compact site rather than spread across a wide area, which makes it practical to plan a visit around the whole plot. The centre of Al Rwaby sits about 52 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data), which affects how the tank and its pumps are arranged, since water has to be lifted rather than flowing naturally. Al Rwaby is about 9 km from the sea coast (OpenStreetMap), so the salty, humid air inland can gradually weaken concrete surfaces and coatings over time. Where a tank's internal coating has broken down, repair is usually priced by area, at SAR 25–65 per m², so the size of the damaged section matters a great deal to the final figure.

Before the visit, it helps to ask a few clear questions. Ask how the leak will be tested, whether the tank will need to be emptied, and how long the inspection is expected to take. Ask whether the check covers only the underground tank or also the pipes and pump connections up to the villa. Ask for the coating area to be measured and quoted per square metre, so you can see how the cost is built up. And ask what the report will contain, including photos of any damage, so you can compare it with what you see on site.

Villas often have several lines and tanks; we test them one at a time so the cause is clear.

Signs worth paying attention to

The following signs are worth checking before they grow:

• A noticeable drop in the water level overnight
• The pump runs for longer periods
• The tank needs refilling faster than usual
• Damp or salt marks on the tiles above the tank

Causes we see in the field

• A common cause: a float valve that does not close, so water is wasted.
• Construction joints and corners — we check this before anything else.
• Cracks in the concrete tank walls or floor — we check this before anything else.

How we choose the tool in Al Rwaby

How the work is done, step by step

1. Safety first: Tank lids and confined spaces are handled with ventilation and a second person on site.
2. Documented level test: Filling and use are stopped and the level is recorded against time.
3. Isolating the tank from the network: This tells us whether the loss is from the tank body or from the supply line.
4. Checking the body and connections: Inlet, outlet and overflow connections are inspected.
5. Recommendation: You get the next step in writing: repair, waterproofing or a line test.

Quick comparison: facts and costs in Al Rwaby

Short answers for Al Rwaby

What we advise against

• Waterproofing the tank before confirming the loss is from the tank and not the line
• Ignoring the float valve

The written outputs

You receive: the written level-test result and the recommended next step, in a technical report with a verification code.