True Stories and Points of interest
True Stories and Points of interest
*Homeowners basement filled with oil!
*Responcibilities of Tank ownership.
*How to inspect your own tank
*Tank Life expectancy chart
*Heating Oil Facts
*Responcibilities of Tank ownership.
*How to inspect your own tank
*Tank Life expectancy chart
*Heating Oil Facts
Homeowners basement filled with Oil!
A fuel delivery company delivered fuel to the wrong address and the house had recently been converted from oil to natural gas. "Some Jerk didn't remove the original fill pipes" an employee of the Oil Company stated. The driver (from the same company) stopped pumping at about 150 gallons. Needless to say, the basement was full of oil. They reverse pumped out as much as they could but on the news it said that they had to jackhammer out the concrete slab, part of the walls and dig /remove the contaminated soil under it. There was a big dispute over who was at fault and who was going to pay... what a mess. Happened in the Boston suburbs. Apparently they didn’t hire a Professional Oil Tank removal company! ============================================================
Responcibilities of Oil Tank Ownership
A leaking heating oil tank can become a serious fire and environmental hazard. Whether the tank is located inside or outside the home, a spill can contaminate groundwater affecting private wells or other nearby drinking water supplies.
In many cases hundreds of gallons of oil can seep into the ground before a leaking tank is discovered.
Fuel oil that leaks into a residential basement can also pose a serious health hazard, threatening indoor air quality, underslab contamination and more.
Anyone who owns a fuel oil tank has a legal responsibility to properly maintain it and to clean up any spills or leaks that may occur. Homeowners are also responsible under the Environmental Protection Act for reporting any leak or spill from a tank that could cause property damage or health, safety or environmental problems.
Cleaning up a spill from a home heating oil tank is an expensive matter. The removal of oil from a basement, or the cleanup of contaminated soil and water can often cost thousands of dollars and damage may not be fully covered or covered at all by a homeowners insurance policy.
Avoiding Problems
Having a new tank installed (or an old one removed), only by a licensed/registered contractor and inspecting it regularly can help avoid the problems associated with oil spills and leakage.
Taking the following steps can help avoid problems and ensure safe usage of a fuel oil tank.
Inspect tank often.
Replace Tanks in use periodically.
Remove any Underground Tank without delay and/or replace with an above ground Tank if being used.
Hire a Professional to remove any Oil Tanks not being used.
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Inspecting an Oil Tank
1. Are the tank legs unstable or on a shaky foundation?
2. Are there any signs of rust, leaks or wet spots on the tank?
3. Is the tank blackened at the low end, around the drain? (This may be an indication of water in the tank, and related corrosion inside the tank.
4. Are there any drips or signs of leakage around the fuel line, filter or valves?
5. If the tank is located outside, is there danger of snow or ice falling on the tank?
6. Is the vent clogged or restricted because of snow, or insect nests? (Screened vents can help prevent insect nest problems.)
7. Is the vent whistle sounding when the tank is being filled? (Ask the fuel delivery person.)
8. Are there signs of leakage or spills around the fill pipe or vent pipe?
9. Is the fuel-level gauge cracked, stuck or inaccurate?
10. If mounted outdoors, is the tank rated for outdoor use?
11. What is the age of the tank? See the chart below to help determine it’s expected life span.
============================================================
Life Expectancy chart of above ground steel tanks
14 gauge (2 mm) with end outlet - 15 years
12 gauge (2.3 mm) with end outlet - 20 years
14 gauge (2 mm) with bottom outlet - 20 years
12 gauge (2.3 mm) with bottom outlet - 25 years
============================================================
Heating Oil Facts
More than 40% of all oil spills reported annually are from domestic oil tanks at private homes.
One cup of fuel oil can contaminate enough water to fill an olympic-size swimming pool.
Homeowner Insurance may not cover all costs of a cleanup.
Cleanup of contaminated soil and water can often cost thousands.
A fuel delivery company delivered fuel to the wrong address and the house had recently been converted from oil to natural gas. "Some Jerk didn't remove the original fill pipes" an employee of the Oil Company stated. The driver (from the same company) stopped pumping at about 150 gallons. Needless to say, the basement was full of oil. They reverse pumped out as much as they could but on the news it said that they had to jackhammer out the concrete slab, part of the walls and dig /remove the contaminated soil under it. There was a big dispute over who was at fault and who was going to pay... what a mess. Happened in the Boston suburbs. Apparently they didn’t hire a Professional Oil Tank removal company! ============================================================
Responcibilities of Oil Tank Ownership
A leaking heating oil tank can become a serious fire and environmental hazard. Whether the tank is located inside or outside the home, a spill can contaminate groundwater affecting private wells or other nearby drinking water supplies.
In many cases hundreds of gallons of oil can seep into the ground before a leaking tank is discovered.
Fuel oil that leaks into a residential basement can also pose a serious health hazard, threatening indoor air quality, underslab contamination and more.
Anyone who owns a fuel oil tank has a legal responsibility to properly maintain it and to clean up any spills or leaks that may occur. Homeowners are also responsible under the Environmental Protection Act for reporting any leak or spill from a tank that could cause property damage or health, safety or environmental problems.
Cleaning up a spill from a home heating oil tank is an expensive matter. The removal of oil from a basement, or the cleanup of contaminated soil and water can often cost thousands of dollars and damage may not be fully covered or covered at all by a homeowners insurance policy.
Avoiding Problems
Having a new tank installed (or an old one removed), only by a licensed/registered contractor and inspecting it regularly can help avoid the problems associated with oil spills and leakage.
Taking the following steps can help avoid problems and ensure safe usage of a fuel oil tank.
Inspect tank often.
Replace Tanks in use periodically.
Remove any Underground Tank without delay and/or replace with an above ground Tank if being used.
Hire a Professional to remove any Oil Tanks not being used.
============================================================
Inspecting an Oil Tank
1. Are the tank legs unstable or on a shaky foundation?
2. Are there any signs of rust, leaks or wet spots on the tank?
3. Is the tank blackened at the low end, around the drain? (This may be an indication of water in the tank, and related corrosion inside the tank.
4. Are there any drips or signs of leakage around the fuel line, filter or valves?
5. If the tank is located outside, is there danger of snow or ice falling on the tank?
6. Is the vent clogged or restricted because of snow, or insect nests? (Screened vents can help prevent insect nest problems.)
7. Is the vent whistle sounding when the tank is being filled? (Ask the fuel delivery person.)
8. Are there signs of leakage or spills around the fill pipe or vent pipe?
9. Is the fuel-level gauge cracked, stuck or inaccurate?
10. If mounted outdoors, is the tank rated for outdoor use?
11. What is the age of the tank? See the chart below to help determine it’s expected life span.
============================================================
Life Expectancy chart of above ground steel tanks
14 gauge (2 mm) with end outlet - 15 years
12 gauge (2.3 mm) with end outlet - 20 years
14 gauge (2 mm) with bottom outlet - 20 years
12 gauge (2.3 mm) with bottom outlet - 25 years
============================================================
Heating Oil Facts
More than 40% of all oil spills reported annually are from domestic oil tanks at private homes.
One cup of fuel oil can contaminate enough water to fill an olympic-size swimming pool.
Homeowner Insurance may not cover all costs of a cleanup.
Cleanup of contaminated soil and water can often cost thousands.