Underground tank leak detection in Al Slam, Riyadh: emergency

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

What is specific about Al Slam for underground tank leak detection

The centre of Al Slam is at 24.7078, 46.8111, about 13.7 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 Slam: Abdulrahman bin Awf Road, Al Imam Al Shafi'i Road.

The centre of Al Slam sits about 601 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data).

An owner of a villa or small commercial site in Al Slam notices a fuel smell near the garden, or a sudden drop in the level of an underground tank, and wonders whether something is leaking. The worry is natural: an underground tank is out of sight, so a problem can grow for a while before anyone sees it. Acting quickly is the right instinct, and the first hours matter more than finding the perfect explanation.

Al Slam sits at about 24.7078, 46.8111, roughly 13.7 km from the centre of Riyadh, within an area of about 1.2 km in radius. It sits about 601 m above sea level. For an owner, these facts mean the site is a short drive from the city's service network but still in a local neighbourhood where soil and groundwater conditions should be checked rather than assumed. Because the tank is buried and the site is in a built-up zone, any leak needs to be treated as a possible hazard to the ground around the property, not only a loss of fuel. Tank internal coating is priced at SAR 25–70 per m², so repair decisions depend on the tank's condition and size, and an owner should ask for a clear written assessment before committing to work.

Take these steps in order. First, stop adding fuel to the tank and keep people and open flames away from the area. Second, check the level and record the readings, noting the date and time, so you can compare them over the next day. Third, ventilate any enclosed space nearby and avoid starting engines or generators close to the smell. Fourth, call a leak detection specialist who can test the tank and the pipework and report what they find in writing. Fifth, keep every invoice and test result, since these will support insurance claims and any later repair or environmental reporting. Finally, once the source is confirmed, agree the repair scope and check that it covers the tank coating and any affected soil before the work is signed off.

If water is flowing, close the main valve first, then call or message with photos.

Signs worth paying attention to

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

• Damp or salt marks on the tiles above the tank
• The tank needs refilling faster than usual
• The pump runs for longer periods

Causes we see in the field

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

Tools we use in Al Slam

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.

Quick comparison: facts and costs in Al Slam

Common questions about underground tank leak detection in Al Slam

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 get after the work

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.