Underground tank leak detection for restaurants in Al Mshaal, Riyadh

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

Before we start: what we know about Al Mshaal

The centre of Al Mshaal is at 24.6151, 46.8509, about 20.9 km from the centre of Riyadh, with an approximate radius of 1.2 km. The approximate area shown on the map is centred here. Main roads in or near Al Mshaal: Istanbul Street, Al Safa Street, Ibn Majah Street.

The centre of Al Mshaal sits about 596 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data). The nearest wadi channel is about 1.9 km from the centre of Al Mshaal (OpenStreetMap).

Picture the owner of a busy restaurant in Al Mshaal, a few years into running a kitchen that goes through large volumes of water, cooking oil and cleaning chemicals every week. Underground storage tanks are often out of sight and out of mind, so a slow leak can go unnoticed for months. The owner usually first notices a drop in stored volume, a damp patch near the tank pit, or an odd smell in the service yard, and by then the problem may already have spread into the ground.

Al Mshaal sits at about 24.6151, 46.8509, roughly 20.9 km from the centre of Riyadh, with an approximate radius of 1.2 km. The centre sits about 596 m above sea level, and the nearest wadi channel is about 1.9 km away. For a restaurant owner, these facts matter because a site this close to a wadi system can be affected by water moving across the surface after rain, which can carry contamination further from the tank if a leak occurs. Knowing that the nearest channel is only about 1.9 km away helps explain why early detection is worth planning for rather than treating as a distant risk.

A sensible approach starts with a record of tank volumes and deliveries so that any unexplained loss is spotted quickly. Next, arrange a professional inspection of the tank and its pipework, and ask for the findings in writing. If the inspection shows wear, compare the options for internal coating, where prices are quoted at SAR 25–70 per m², and get the surface area measured before requesting quotes. Finally, set a regular review schedule so that the tank, the fittings and the surrounding ground are checked on a fixed cycle rather than only after a problem appears.

For restaurants, visits are planned outside service hours and recorded for the premises file.

Signs that call for underground tank leak detection

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

Causes we see in the field

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

Tools and methods, and when we use them

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.

Facts and costs — Al Mshaal

Short answers for Al Mshaal

Common mistakes we see

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

The written outputs

The written output: the written level-test result and the recommended next step. The report is numbered and can be checked with its verification code.