Underground tank leak detection for duplexes in Nmar, Riyadh

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

Underground tank leak detection in Nmar: the local context

The centre of Nmar is at 24.5689, 46.6804, about 16.1 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 Nmar: Southern Ring Road, Derab Road, Southern Ring Road Branch.

The centre of Nmar sits about 629 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data). The nearest wadi channel is about 0.3 km from the centre of Nmar (OpenStreetMap).

Picture the owner of a duplex in Nmar who has just noticed that the water bill has crept up while nothing in the house seems to have changed. Two families may share the plot, the underground tank sits out of sight beneath the yard or driveway, and no one wants to dig it up on a hunch. Owners in this position often wonder whether the loss is coming from pipework, from the tank itself, or simply from a meter reading that needs a second look.

Nmar is about 16.1 km from the centre of Riyadh, at 24.5689, 46.6804, and the centre sits roughly 629 m above sea level. The nearest wadi channel lies about 0.3 km away. For a duplex owner, that closeness to a wadi matters because water that runs off during rare rain events can find its way toward low ground and buried structures, so a tank that has been quietly weakening may show its problems only after a wet spell. Elevation and the wadi nearby also mean that the tank's surroundings, including soil movement and drainage around the yard, deserve attention alongside the tank walls. The approximate radius of about 1.2 km gives a sense of how many neighbouring plots share these same ground conditions.

A sensible order of work starts with records. Gather the recent water bills, note any sudden rises, and check whether both units of the duplex show the same pattern, since a shared tank will affect both. Next, have the tank and its connections inspected for leaks, and ask for an estimate of the internal coating cost, which typically falls in the range of SAR 25–70 per m², so you can compare quotes on the same measure. Then, before any coating work begins, confirm the tank is sound and that the surrounding drainage is clear of the wadi-side runoff path. Finally, keep a simple monthly reading log for several months after repairs, so any return of the loss is caught early rather than after the next bill arrives.

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

When do you need underground tank leak detection?

These are the signs most often linked to underground tank leak detection:

• A noticeable drop in the water level overnight
• The pump runs for longer periods
• The tank needs refilling faster than usual

Where the problem usually comes from

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

How we choose the tool in Nmar

From the first visit to the report

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 — Nmar

Questions from Nmar

Mistakes that cost more

• 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.