Facts About Oil Tank Leakage Every New Homeowner Needs To Know
The homeowner that has bought a home with an oil furnace heating system should always have a close look at the oil storage tank. Making sure the oil tank at your new home is safe and up to date is important to avoid being fined and for saving money on your oil usage. Learning more about the signs you need to replace your oil tank because of leakage is important before using it.
Leakage Is A Serious Problem
Leaking can cause more problems than just oil loss. If the tank at your new home is underground, be sure to have a professional inspect it before you have oil delivered for it. If an oil tank, whether above the ground or buried, is leaking, it should be immediately decommissioned and replaced because it poses an environmental hazard. When oil seeps into the soil around your tank, it contaminates it and has greater chances of reaching fresh groundwater sources. As a new homeowner, you should know that even if a tank was leaking before you bought your home, you will be responsible for any fines or fees charged for cleaning up the soil if it is there when you purchased the home. For this reason, taking the time to ensure your oil tank is not leaking is necessary.
Signs That Your Oil Tank Is Leaking
If your oil tank is showing signs of rust, wets areas on its exterior or you smell oil when around it, you should have a professional visit for an inspection. If your tank is dented, you should also have it replaced because rust usually forms in and around dented metal. In most areas, certain rules must be followed when removing an oil tank, so making sure you have someone with professional experience to do it for is important. This is especially true if you are having underground oil tank dug up for inspection and/or removal.
Maintenance Tips For Your New Oil Tank
If you have a new tank installed, maintaining it is a good idea to avoid issues with leaking later on. Be sure to keep your tank full to avoid the formation of condensation inside it. Take the time to check regularly for insect nests or ice formation on the tank's vent lines to prevent them from rusting. Moisture can from under an insect nest that would provide the perfect environment for rust formation. Replace broken gauges right away so you will know how much oil is in your tank at all times.
Making the best choices regarding an oil tank is vital for you to avoid being fined and charged a great deal for the cleanup necessary when a tank leaks. Maintaining your oil tank also helps to reduce dangers to the environment and to your family's good health.
For more information, contact suppliers like Bay State Fuel Oil Inc.
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