Underground tank leak detection for duplexes in Riyadh

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

What is specific about Riyadh for underground tank leak detection

Main roads in or near Riyadh: King Fahd Road, King Abdullah Road, King Abdullah. The centre of Riyadh sits about 637 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data).

Team note on Riyadh: Kashf teams serve this city and its nearby districts with the same documented inspection standard: device-based leak detection without demolition, a written report, and a clear scope before any work begins..

Riyadh sits on a broad plateau in the heart of the Najd, and the centre of the city lies about 637 m above sea level, according to SRTM open elevation data. That height matters for underground storage on duplex properties. Ground that rises and falls across neighbourhoods means that a tank installed on one plot may sit at a different level from its neighbour's, so pipe runs, pump positions and drainage paths differ from one street to the next. A detection survey therefore starts with a check of the site's own gradient and the direction water would travel if a leak occurred, rather than assuming that a standard layout applies across the district.

The tank internal coating is priced at SAR 25–70 per m², and that range shapes how the service is planned. Because the coating cost depends on the surface area that needs treatment, the first step is an accurate measurement of the tank's interior, including the dome and the base. Where a leak is confirmed, the technician records the affected area so that the repair scope matches the real surface rather than an estimate. Owners who understand this range can compare quotes on a like-for-like basis, since a figure per square metre only makes sense when the measured area is agreed in writing before work begins.

Duplex owners in the district often avoid a few common mistakes. They wait for a visible wet patch before calling anyone, when a slow loss of water or a sudden rise in the monthly consumption figure is usually the earlier sign. They also share one tank between two units without agreeing who arranges inspections and who pays for coating work, which leads to delays once a leak appears. Finally, some owners skip the record of the tank's original coating and dimensions, so later surveys have nothing to compare against. Keeping these details on file and scheduling checks before problems surface makes the whole process faster and clearer for residents and expats alike.

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

Signs worth paying attention to

The following signs are worth checking before they grow:

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

Where the problem usually comes from

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

How we choose the tool in Riyadh

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 Riyadh

Questions from Riyadh

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

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.