Underground tank leak detection in Al Mlz, Riyadh: before buying or handover

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

Before we start: what we know about Al Mlz

The centre of Al Mlz is at 24.6561, 46.7275, about 8.3 km from the centre of Riyadh, with an approximate radius of 2.8 km. The service-area circle on the map below is drawn from this point. Main roads in or near Al Mlz: University Street, Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi Road, Omar bin al-Khattab Road.

The centre of Al Mlz sits about 592 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data). Al Mlz is mainly apartment buildings.

Al Mlz sits about 8.3 km from central Riyadh, and its skyline is dominated by apartment buildings and residential blocks. The neighbourhood is bordered by busy routes such as University Street, Salah Al-Din Al-Ayyubi Road and Omar Bin Al-Khattab Road, which means many buildings share tight plots and heavy traffic. The area sits at roughly 592 metres above sea level, so the ground and drainage conditions here are worth noting before any tank work begins.

For an underground tank in a block of flats, a leak can affect neighbouring units and shared structures, so detection is usually the first step: the team checks the tank's condition and the surrounding ground before anyone recommends repairs. Because many apartment buildings have limited access around their tanks, the site survey looks at how the tank can be reached and what it will take to isolate it. Any lining work is priced per square metre, roughly 25 to 65 riyals per m², depending on the tank's size and condition, so the inspection report matters for comparing offers.

Before the visit, gather the building's plans, any previous maintenance records and the tank's approximate capacity, and note when you first noticed water loss or a drop in levels. Ask the team to explain how they confirmed the leak, what the inspection covers, whether lining is needed inside the tank, and how the work would affect the building's water supply.

Before buying or taking over a property, an inspection gives you findings in writing before you sign.

When do you need underground tank leak detection?

These are the signs most often linked to underground tank leak detection:

• 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

The most common causes

• A float valve that does not close, so water is wasted.
• A common cause: cracks in the concrete tank walls or floor.
• A common cause: construction joints and corners.

Tools and methods, and when we use them

From the first visit to the report

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.

Facts and costs — Al Mlz

Common questions about underground tank leak detection in Al Mlz

What we advise against

• 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.