Underground tank leak detection for duplexes in Al Qadsya, Riyadh

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

Before we start: what we know about Al Qadsya

The centre of Al Qadsya is at 24.8182, 46.8278, about 19.3 km from the centre of Riyadh, with an approximate radius of 1.2 km. The approximate area shown on the map is centred here. The centre of Al Qadsya sits about 579 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data).

The nearest wadi channel is about 0 km from the centre of Al Qadsya (OpenStreetMap). Main roads in or near Al Qadsya: Imam Abdullah bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Road.

Al Qadsya sits at 24.8182, 46.8278, roughly 19.3 km from the centre of Riyadh, with an approximate radius of 1.2 km. That distance matters for our work: duplex owners here are often well outside the city's central service network, so we plan visits with travel time built in and prepare the tank checks before the technician arrives rather than relying on a quick return trip. The area sits about 579 m above sea level, and in practical terms this means the ground and the groundwater behaviour are shaped by the local elevation and drainage rather than by the flat-land conditions found in some other districts. Our leak testing starts with checking how the tank and its fill and suction lines respond to pressure, because the local terrain influences where moisture collects around buried equipment.

The nearest wadi channel lies about 0 km from the centre of Al Qadsya, which places natural water flow almost at the doorstep of many properties. Seasonal runoff can soak the soil around an underground tank and mask small leaks, or push groundwater against the tank walls and seams. For this reason we check the surrounding soil and the groundwater level before drawing conclusions from a pressure test, and we note any signs of erosion or standing water near the tank cover. The same local feature also affects repairs: when a coating or a fitting is replaced, we plan the work around dry spells so the new seal can cure without being disturbed by runoff.

Several mistakes are common among duplex owners here, and our crews work to avoid them. Owners often wait for a drop in fuel or water level before calling anyone, when small leaks can run for weeks in wet soil before they show. Others assume that a tank which passed a test years ago is still sound, even though the internal coating can break down and the cost of recoating is set at SAR 25–70 per m², so early attention is far cheaper than replacement. Some owners also cover the tank with concrete or soil without recording its position and depth, which makes later testing slow and costly. We record the tank layout and the coating condition at every visit so that each duplex has a clear history to work from.

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

Signs worth paying attention to

If you notice one of these signs in Al Qadsya, it is a good moment to talk to the team:

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

The most common causes

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

Tools we use in Al Qadsya

The steps in order

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 Qadsya in facts and sources

Questions from Al Qadsya

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

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.