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

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

Why underground tank leak detection differs in Al Rwda

The centre of Al Rwda is at 24.7341, 46.7672, about 9.6 km from the centre of Riyadh, with an approximate radius of 2.9 km. The approximate area shown on the map is centred here. Main roads in or near Al Rwda: Eastern Ring Road, Khurais Road, Makkah Road.

Al Rwda is mainly apartment buildings. The centre of Al Rwda sits about 622 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data).

Al Rwda sits in Riyadh, roughly 9.6 km from the city centre, and its streets are shaped by a mix of apartment blocks and multi-storey buildings. The neighbourhood is bordered by the Eastern Ring Road, Khurais Road and Makkah Road, which means heavy traffic and frequent vehicle loads near many buildings. Its centre lies at 24.7341, 46.7672, at an elevation of 622 metres above sea level.

For an underground tank in an apartment or multi-storey building, the shared water supply usually means one tank serves many households, so a small leak can go unnoticed for a long time. Traffic vibration along the main roads can also stress tank walls and connecting pipes, so the first checks are usually the tank's structural condition, the inlet and outlet joints, and any signs of water loss in the surrounding ground. These checks come first because they show whether the leak is in the tank itself or in the pipework, which decides the repair method and cost.

Before the visit, gather the building's water bills for the past several months, note any sudden rises in consumption, and locate the tank's access point and any records of past repairs or cleaning. Ask the team how they test for leaks, whether they can pinpoint the source before any excavation, and what they would recommend for lining the tank's interior if the walls are sound but porous.

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?

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
• Damp or salt marks on the tiles above the tank

The most common causes

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

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.

Al Rwda in facts and sources

Questions from Al Rwda

What we advise against

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

What you get after the work

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