Underground tank leak detection for duplexes in Al Mlqa, Riyadh

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

Underground tank leak detection in Al Mlqa: the local context

The centre of Al Mlqa is at 24.8010, 46.6007, about 12.3 km from the centre of Riyadh, with an approximate radius of 4.4 km. The approximate area shown on the map is centred here. The nearest wadi channel is about 2.7 km from the centre of Al Mlqa (OpenStreetMap).

Main roads in or near Al Mlqa: King Fahd Road, King Salman Road, Anas bin Malik Street. The centre of Al Mlqa sits about 666 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data).

Al Mlqa is mainly villas.

Underground tank leak detection for duplexes in Al Mlqa, Riyadh starts with the setting itself. The centre of Al Mlqa sits at 24.8010, 46.6007, about 12.3 km from the centre of Riyadh, and the district covers an approximate radius of 4.4 km. Because the area is mainly villas, many households on a duplex plot share the same general layout of buried tanks, so the first checks focus on access, fittings and any signs of moisture around the tank lid and pipework. The centre of Al Mlqa sits about 666 m above sea level according to SRTM open elevation data, and the nearest wadi channel is about 2.7 km from the centre, so the technician notes how the land falls and whether surface water could reach the tank area after rain. These two facts help explain why the first look is at drainage paths and ground condition rather than assuming a single cause for any change in water level.

Several things are left to the site visit itself. The technician confirms the actual tank size, age, material and burial depth, and checks whether the internal surface has been coated. Where a coating is being considered, the typical internal coating cost is SAR 25–70 per m², and the final figure depends on the surface area measured on site and the condition of the walls. Testing method, the choice between pressure testing and monitoring, and whether any section of pipe needs to be exposed are all decided after the inspection, once the technician can see the real condition of the fittings and the ground around them.

To help the technician, it is useful to have the following ready before the visit: the duplex address and the approximate plot layout, any record of past tank work, notes on when a water or fuel change was first noticed, and whether the household has seen wet patches or unusual growth near the tank. Please also mention if the property sits low on the plot, near a drainage route, or closer to the wadi side of the district, since the nearest wadi channel is about 2.7 km away and surface flow can still matter. Clear answers to these points let the technician plan the right tests and arrive with the correct equipment.

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

When do you need underground tank leak detection?

The following signs are worth checking before they grow:

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

Where the problem usually comes from

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

How we choose the tool in Al Mlqa

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.

Al Mlqa in facts and sources

Short answers for Al Mlqa

Mistakes that cost more

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

What you receive

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