Advice

OIL TANK ADVICE

SOONER RATHER THEN LATER – If you are thinking about replacing your underground storage tank (Oil Tank) you should not wait. As fuel oil tanks increase in age, the percentages of failure increase at a faster rate. The rate varies; tanks in soil with high water tables are most at risk. Other factors can include the backfill, moisture inside the tank, thickness of steel and any human error during installation. Removing a tank before contamination occurs is essential.

WINTER, SUMMER, SPRING or FALL- If your tank needs to be removed or replaced there is no need to “wait for spring”. If needed temporary heat can be provided. As for the ground, it may be frozen in the winter but it is no match for us.

DO NOT FILL IN PLACE OR ABANDON TANK – Unless you absolutely have to, we feel it is best to completely remove your underground storage tank. Due to decks, walkways and other obstacles, sometimes abandonment is the only option. If you decide abandon your oil tank make sure to cut a hole in the bottom of the tank and take a SOIL sample.

REPLACE YOUR UNDERGROUND TANK WITH AN ABOVE GROUND TANK – Underground tanks can have a negative impact on the value of your house. Lenders, buyers and insurance companies prefer above ground storage tanks. In fact, your home owners insurance premiums could go down when you replace an underground tank with an above ground tank (AST).

FIND OUT ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH CONTAMINATION – When talking with removal companies; make sure you find out ALL costs associated with pollution. While no one can predict how much contaminated soil or water will need to be removed there are unit rates that can be provided.

ASK FOR REFERENCES- When choosing an environmental company be sure to ask for references. Check out our Customer Review page or on sites like https://www.angieslist.com/companylist/us/ny/greenburgh/barrier-contracting-llc-reviews-6311994.htm

ARE YOU THINKING OF PURCHASING A HOME WITH A HEATING OIL TANK?
Find out the age of the tank. Contact us, we will give you free advice on how to move forward. Try to get the seller to remove the tank prior to closing. Your home inspector, lawyer and bank will agree. When purchasing any house, ask if there was an oil tank underground. If so ask for the paper work regarding its removal. Find out why the tank was removed. If the oil tank was filled in place ask for the results of the soil samples taken. If there were no samples taken, have samples taken or at least consult a professional. It is best to take sample around the four sides and down roughly 2 feet below the bottom of the tank (7-12 feet). A tank that was filled in place can still have issues if it was not purged and cleaned properly.

ARE YOU THINKING OF SELLING A HOUSE WITH A HEATING OIL TANK?
Removing your tank prior to putting the house on the market will be one less thing a potential buyer has to worry about. Remove the underground storage tank (ust) and replace it with an above ground storage tank (137, 275 or 330 gallons). If more storage is required or needed we can pipe two tanks together.