Underground tank leak detection in Shbra, Riyadh: without breaking

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

Before we start: what we know about Shbra

The centre of Shbra is at 24.5749, 46.6671, about 15.5 km from the centre of Riyadh, with an approximate radius of 3.3 km. The approximate area shown on the map is centred here. The centre of Shbra sits about 651 m above sea level (SRTM open elevation data).

Shbra has both villas and apartment buildings. The nearest wadi channel is about 1.1 km from the centre of Shbra (OpenStreetMap).

Main roads in or near Shbra: Southern Ring Road, Aisha bint Abi Bakr Street, Al Suwaidi Tunnel.

Picture a homeowner in Shbra who has noticed their water bill creeping up, or a damp patch appearing near the garden wall, and who suspects that the underground water tank might be losing water. Their property might be a standalone villa with a private yard, or one of the apartment buildings where several households share a single storage tank. In either case the tank is buried out of sight, so the first sign of trouble is usually a cost or a stain rather than anything visible on the surface.

Shbra sits at roughly 651 m above sea level and lies about 15.5 km from the centre of Riyadh, with a radius of around 3.3 km. Its centre is located at 24.5749, 46.6671, and the nearest wadi channel runs about 1.1 km away. For an owner, this matters because it means the area is a mix of villas and apartment blocks on fairly open ground, where the soil around a buried tank can shift with seasonal rain running toward the channel. Ground movement and moisture around the tank are reasons to check the walls and joints rather than assume the structure is sound. It also means that a tank serving an apartment building may need coordination among several households before any work begins.

If you suspect a leak, start by recording your meter readings over a set period while no water is being used, so you have a clear baseline. Next, check the tank level over time and look for damp soil, unusual greenness, or cracks in nearby paving. Ask a qualified technician to carry out a non-invasive leak test before any excavation, since this avoids unnecessary digging. If the tank is found to be damaged, obtain a written quote that separates the cost of inspection from repair. Where the internal walls need protection, internal coating is commonly priced at SAR 25–65 per m², and the surface area of your tank determines the final figure. Finally, keep all reports and invoices together so that future maintenance is easier to plan.

The aim is to locate the cause with instruments first, so any opening is limited to one point.

Signs worth paying attention to

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

• 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.
• A common cause: construction joints and corners.
• A float valve that does not close, so water is wasted — we check this before anything else.

Tools and methods, and when we use them

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 — Shbra

Short answers for Shbra

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.