The Importance of Oil Tank Testing – Protecting Your Home and the Environment

Many homeowners understand the importance of practicing the three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Other environmental actions they may take include:

• Following local oil tank regulations
• Avoiding spills or vapor intrusion
• Having their underground heating oil tanks tested regularly

A visual inspection will not detect some problems with a fuel tank, like corrosion or dents. Regular testing can detect potential problems early and avoid them from becoming more expensive to fix or potentially dangerous to your family and the environment.

Leaks Can Cause Damage to Your Home

Whether it’s a leaking underground or above-ground oil tank, contamination from leaking home heating oil can cause environmental problems. This can result in expensive cleanup and remediation costs, often not covered by homeowners’ insurance.

If you think your oil tank might leak, you can use a specialist to check for leaks. Several different tests can be performed, including soil testing, pressure testing of the tank, ultrasound screening of the tank, and more.

A service technician can do some of these tests, and others require the assistance of an environmental testing laboratory. An ultrasound screening test involves using a scanning device to measure the thickness of the bottom portion of an oil tank. This allows professionals to determine whether a tank is leaking quickly. This is a simple and inexpensive way to prevent costly contamination. The average cleanup cost for a leaking home heating oil tank can exceed a thousand dollars.

Leaks Can Cause Damage to the Environment

Many people only think about their heating oil tanks once they start leaking (gallons of oil have seeped out) or put their homes up for sale. However, regular oil tank testing can help prevent such a disaster.

In addition to a visual inspection, various tank testing methods can be used. These differ in cost, risk to the tank, and invasiveness.

These tests involve collecting soil samples around the underground tank and piping, which are then sent to a lab for analysis. The lab will look for petroleum-based substances.

This test involves rocking the tank assembly back and forth over 24 hours. During this time, the tank is watched to see if the pressure within drops. If the pressure does drop, it can be an indication that there is a leak in the tank or piping system. The sooner this can be detected, the less likely it will be for a large, costly underground oil tank replacement and cleanup to be required.

Leaks Can Cost You Money

Home heating oil tank leaks can be expensive and often not covered by homeowners’ insurance policies. The best way to avoid costly cleanup and repair is to schedule regular inspections.

A professional oil tank testing Westchester County NY will give you an accurate picture of your tank’s condition. The test can tell you if the bottom of the tank has holes or is cracked. It can also reveal any areas where the seams have rusted. A visual inspection will also show signs of corrosion, discharge, fuel accumulation, and the tank’s general deterioration.

If you suspect a leak, you should immediately contact your oil supplier or company that works with buried oil tanks. You must hire a contractor to remove your tank and test the surrounding soil for contamination. Soil samples should also be taken around the site to determine how far the leaking fuel has spread in the ground.

Leaks Can Cause Damage to Your Equipment

Many property owners don’t even know they have a fuel oil tank on their property — until it leaks and gallons of fuel seep out. Regular testing will help to keep the tank in good condition and protect against costly repairs and environmental cleanup costs.

Above-ground storage tanks (ASTs) are at risk for corrosion due to condensation, which corrodes steel over time. A routine yearly inspection will identify signs of pollution and other tank issues, such as dents, warps, and broken leg brackets.

If a problem is detected, the inspector will take fuel samples to test for the presence of water and particulates. This indicates a leak that can be repaired before it becomes more severe. A specialized service called “integrity testing” involves a more thorough examination of the tank’s shell, bottom, and internal parts for indications of corrosion. This is the preferred method for detecting leaks.

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