Hidden water leak detection for duplexes in Al Thnya, Makkah

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

Why hidden water leak detection differs in Al Thnya

The centre of Al Thnya is at 21.5044, 40.0024, about 19.7 km from the centre of Makkah, with an approximate radius of 1.2 km. The service-area circle on the map below is drawn from this point. The centre of Al Thnya sits about 420 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data).

The nearest wadi channel is about 2.6 km from the centre of Al Thnya (OpenStreetMap). Main roads in or near Al Thnya: Makkah Road.

Hidden water leaks are among the most common problems in duplexes, because pipes run inside walls, under concrete floors and behind shared service shafts where nobody sees them. In Al Thnya, the centre sits at 21.5044, 40.0024, about 19.7 km from the centre of Makkah, and the area covers an approximate radius of 1.2 km. For a duplex, that means a leak can sit in one unit while the damp shows up in the other, so the first step is always to confirm which unit the water is actually coming from before any opening of walls begins.

The local setting also changes how we approach the job. The centre of Al Thnya is about 420 m above sea level, and the nearest wadi channel is about 2.6 km from the centre. Properties close to natural drainage paths can see ground moisture behave differently after heavy rain, so a damp patch that appears only after a storm should not be dismissed as a rain problem. Our checks look at whether moisture follows a pipe run or spreads across a floor slab, and we note the timing of the damp so the source is traced rather than guessed. Where water storage is involved, the internal coating of a tank is priced at SAR 25–65 per m², and that figure is worth knowing if the tank itself turns out to be part of the leak path.

Before the visit, it helps to have a few details ready. Tell us which unit or units show the damp, when you first noticed it, and whether it is worse after the water pump runs or after rain. Note any drop in water pressure, unexplained rises in the water meter reading, and whether the duplex shares a tank or pump with the neighbouring unit. Photos of stains, ceiling marks or cracked tiles are useful, as is access to the service shaft and the tank area. With this information, the visit can focus on the right spot from the start, and the owners of both units can be kept informed of what is found.

In a duplex, the two floors often share lines, so tests are done floor by floor.

When do you need hidden water leak detection?

The following signs are worth checking before they grow:

• A water bill higher than usual with no change in use
• The meter keeps turning with every tap closed
• A hissing or trickling sound in the wall after the taps are off

Where the problem usually comes from

• A cracked pipe under floor tiles.
• A corroded joint inside a wall — we check this before anything else.
• A hot line that expands and contracts with use.

Tools and methods, and when we use them

How the work is done, step by step

1. Meter test: We stop all use and watch the meter to confirm whether water is actually being lost.
2. Line isolation: We close valves one line at a time to see which line loses pressure.
3. Acoustic listening: We follow the sound of water escaping under pressure and compare its strength between points.
4. Thermal imaging and moisture mapping: We map how far the wet area spreads behind paint and tiles.
5. Documentation: Readings, photos and the likely position go into a written report.

Facts and costs — Al Thnya

Questions from Al Thnya

Mistakes that cost more

• Breaking tiles at random before the line is identified
• Repainting the stain while the moisture keeps coming back

What you get after the work

The written output: a technical report with the readings, the likely leak position and a confidence level. The report is numbered and can be checked with its verification code.