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Oil tank on ground (C) Daniel FriedmanHeating Oil Storage Tank FAQs
Questions & Answers about Oil Tank Types, Installation, Leaks Tests, Repairs

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Heating oil storage tank questions & answers:

Frequently-asked questions and answers about oil storage tanks: installation, inspection, testing, leaks, abandonment, or repairs.

This oil tank information article series answers nearly all questions about above ground or buried oil storage tanks including oil tank inspection & testing, oil tank abandonment or removal, removal, oil storage tank & tank piping leak testing, leak prevention, and oil storage tank regulations.

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Oil Storage Tank FAQs

Granby heating oil tank outside under a porch - on its "side" (C) InspectApedia.com Kahn

These questions & answers about oil storage tanks were posted originally at OIL TANKS - home; please be sure to see that information too.

Question: is it ok to put a heating oil tank on its side?

At an inspection yesterday I came across an oil tank which was positioned horizontally. I haven't seen this before and was wondering if there's an issue with it.
Please let me know as soon as possible.

Moderator reply:

From the welded-on feet-brackets, the position of the label and the presence of a tapping on the "flat" side of the oil tank in your photos, I infer that this is a Granby oil storage tank that was designed to be installed "flat" or on its "side".

Granby heating oil tank outside under a porch - on its "side" (C) InspectApedia.com Kahn

For example, Granby's Model 204701P is a 275-gallon oil tank that is intended for horizontal installation. The companby also has a "horizontal" 330 gallon oil storage tank as well as other models.

See this

The company also provides fiberglass oil storage tanks, double-walled tanks and other models.

On 2019-12-23 by (mod) - How can I tell how many gallons an unmarked oil tank holds ?

Photograph of - is this heating oil running across the basement floor? Notice the abandoned oil line at the furnace?James, please see your question re-stated and a detailed reply now found in the article on this page: OIL TANKS

On 2019-12-19 by James E. McGrail

How can I tell how many gallons an unmarked oil tank holds ? There are two numbers on the one in question on the "Underwriters Lab. plate --- as follows . P 963220 and
MH-15475-1 . it also says "inside tank for oil burner fuel . I can be answered via "E" mail at maccountry2264@yahoo.com I appreciate your help .
Mac McGrail

On 2019-10-07 by (mod) - can I just fill in the oily hole where my leaky buried oil tank was located?

PRobably not, Americo.

Depending on where you live, Americao, to avoid violating environental laws

1. ALL oil-contaminated soil must be removed - the company can't commit to you how much that is before they actually excavate and test

2. that removal must be done by a suitable, often licensed contractor

Also to avoid finding yourself unable to sell your home in the future or facing legal issues around disclosure of a prior oil leak, you need to have documentation that the leak was properly handled,
that the contaminated soil was removed, and that the cite was tested and proved acceptable to environmental laws where you live.

In New York that's the NY DEC. You can contact the nearest New York DEC regional office or call the Spill Hotline (1-800-457-7362). DEC for more assistance.

Here is an excerpt from New York's oil tank leak laws:

Oil spills at homes and businesses

A homeowner or resident who becomes aware of an oil spill on the property should report the spill or leak to the DEC Oil Spill Hotline within two hours (800-457-7362). If the discharge enters or threatens to enter the environment (such as soil or water), regardless of the size of the tank or the leak, the leak or spill is subject to state or federal oil spill laws. Thus, for example, even a spill of a gallon of oil into a ditch is covered.

A spill can threaten the environment even if it occurs in a basement, for example through a floor drain or crack. Generally, the leak or spill has to be stopped, the spill area has to be evaluated, and a cleanup has to be undertaken. Cleanup costs increase the longer the spill goes unreported.

Although the owner of the tank is responsible for cleanup costs, other responsible parties may be compelled to pay some or all of any costs. Homeowners may want to contact their insurance company to determine whether costs and damages from oil spills and leaks are covered by their homeowner insurance policy.

See the complete oil tank and tank leak regulations for all US States at

OIL TANK LEAK & ABANDONMENT REGULATIONS

On 2019-10-07 by Americo Rodriguez

Question, I had a 550 gallon leaky oil tank removed from my front yard. I had 40 tons of soil removed and discarded accordingly from hired Company X I hired.

Company X is not committing to any final tonnage removal from yard.

Can I just stop here and fill in the empty area without any legal problems? I live in Putnam County New York. rmicrobes@aol.com

On 2016-07-29 by (mod) - basement oil tank life

Kevin please search InspectApedia.com for OIL TANK LIFE to see details; you'll see that oil tank life will vary by environment, tank metal thickness & quality, the amount of water in the tank and other factors.

On 2016-07-27 by Kevin Schnu

How long of a life does a AST in my basement have

On 2016-05-01 by James Gordon

Can I locate my fuel oil tank alongside a concrete block wall on a concrete surface at least 10 feet or more away from the furnace?

On 2016-02-06 by (mod) - oil tank fume cleanup

Where the items absorbed fumes only, laundering and cleaning usually works. But until the spill is completely cleaned up it'll be tough to have success.

On 2016-02-06 by morgan

Hi I am a renter who recently had an oil tank at the home I rent leak oil into the ground outside of the home. The entire house and all of our belongings including matresses furniture pillows,clothes books papers everything smells like oil.

I am wondering what is salvageable and what I can do to remove the overwhelming smell. I have an infant and 2 young children and am at a loss on what I can save. Please if any1 has any help I would greatly appreciate it!

On 2016-01-17 by Lisa

I'm in the process of purchasing a home and luckily inspection found a buried tank. Tests showed contaminated soil, the tank and contaminated soil have been removed to DEEP standards but I'm told some contaminated soil remains, it's close to the foundation of the house.

The leak was not significant, No signs of water contamination, not possible that it would affect neighbors as it is in an isolated location.

My question is what risk I have regarding the remaining contaminated soil. It seems possible at some point the contaminated soil could affect drinking water, The foundation could be compromised, etc. the house is also listed on the country web site. It seems that could also affect the value of the home and the ability to sell.

I'd appreciate any information you could provide. Thanks so much.

On 2016-01-09 by (mod) - oil tank data tag information

Yes older oil tanks have a welded-on data tag with some basic information; newer oil tanks that I've seen have a stick-on label instead. That's not going to give much detail beyond a UL Listing, tank size, and rating, and perhaps the tank manufacturer.

I'm not familiar with owners manuals provided for oil storage tanks.

In Canada there are government-sponsored oil storage tank guides such as one provided by the DEC for Newfoundland and Labrador. Those won't discuss your specific tank nor any cathodic protection that may have been installed.

See OIL TANK SIZES & VOLUMES

On 2016-01-09 by Anonymous

does my tank have a info plate and I hope it might be located on the top somewhere what say you for this ?

On 2016-01-09 by (mod)

Tom:

You might get help by contacting local oil tank installers in your area to ask who installed the tank.

On 2016-01-09 by tom

I have a in the ground tank and now can't find the info packet it is a cathodic protected tank I know the tank # but cant find the owners manuel etc I NEED TO GET FURTHER INFO ON MY TANK

On 2015-11-19 by (mod)

Interesting question Alina.

Sure the dryer is venting warm moist air. It might also be warming the oil tank.

But it'd take some odd geometry for the dryer exhaust to actually enter the oil storage tank in any volume. I can imagine a worst case (falling outdoor temperatures, tank interior cooling so it draws in a bit of outside air and the dryer is venting moist air at that time) but even then I doubt much moisture would enter the tank from the dryer vent.

Moiisture can collect over years of changing temperatures from air movement in and out of a tank alone, but that wouldn't happen in a short time.

Use our page bottom CONTACT link to send me some photos for further comment.

On 2015-11-18 by Alina

Hi, Can you tell me if having a dryer vent right next to an outdoor oil tank would cause large amounts of water to collect in tank due to condensation? The outdoor tank was installed recently (the house was built with an underground tank originally) and wedged between the dryer vent and a propane tank.

During this past winter (our second one at the house) the burner failed, most likely due to excessive water in the fuel tank (we were told 9 gallons). I have photos to show how close together they are--will try to attach or send separately. I am trying to understand how so much water got inside the tank and wondered if the hot moist air from the vent is a factor. Thank you for your help!

Question: where can I get financial aid for oil tank removal?

(Apr 3, 2014) Edward Alwis said:
Hello
My 275 oil Tank started to leak yesterday. The local oil company came and replaced it. But asking for more 2000 to replace it . I cannot afford this ?. Is there any program that I can apply to get some assistance?

Please email me ealwis96@gmail.com

Reply:

Edward, some states or municipalities have financial aid for oil tank replacement. I'd start by calling your local building department.

We give more extensive information on financial aid for oil tank removal at

inspectapedia.com/oiltanks/Oil_Tank_Financial_Assistance.htm

Question: oil tanks legal for rental properties?

(May 28, 2014) Mr Vernon Anning said:
Are metal oil tanks legal in rented home properties

Reply:

Vernon

I have not been able to find any regulation that differentiates in the types of oil storage tank material based on a property being rented versus occupied by an owner.

Question: should the seller remove an abandoned oil tank in Richmond VA?

(June 7, 2014) BevO said:
We are trying to buy a house in Richmond, and our inspector has found that there is an abandoned underground oil tank. Should we ask the seller to remove it? If we must remove it, about how much would it cost us to have it removed and replace the soil for the area which the tank occupies? Thanks

Reply:

Nice to hear from my home town, though when I lived in Richmond we still heated with coal.

Our best advice for home buyers looking at a property where there is a buried oil tank is in the article above. If any of that was unclear please let me know.

In general what a home seller "should" do when selling a home is set by the terms of contract of sale as well as good sense in making a property marketable. If the oil tank has not leaked, most likely its removal (rather than proper abandonment in place) is not justified.

Question: what kind of oil is put in outdoor residential oil storage tanks

(June 14, 2014) Anonymous said:
what type of oil do i need when it is stored in an outside tank ?

Reply:

Anon

the choice of type of oil depends on its use;

Home heating oil is usually No. 2 heating oil. In a freezing climate you may need to use a pour point depressant or kerosene mix to avoid oil waxing and loss of heat.
See

Question: Are home owners required to put a drip pan under their oil tank? Oil tanks are leaking in my mobile home park.

(July 20, 2014) Kathy Parmer said:
I live in a mobile home park in Lititz, PA. Is there a law that requires home owners to have a drip pan under there oil tanks?

I know that several of them are leaking. There are also numerous under ground oil tanks that are no longer in use. Some days you can actually smell fuel oil in the air.

The owners of the park reside in CA. They allowed homes to be set up right over the fill line sticking out of the ground. Is there a government agency to contact? Thank you for your assistance with this matter. Kathy

Reply:

Leaky oil tanks must be reported to your state's department of environmental protection, typically within 24 hours.

Question: which way up for "oil line check valve"?

(Dec 2, 2014) Ralph said:
Does it matter if the check valve in the supply line has the bolt on the top or the bottom? I can get a reading on the vacuum gauge(burner runs ok,but has a whine)

Reply:

Ralph some check valves only work in a horizontal position with the marked valve top up. Others include mechanisms allowing the valve to operate in any position. So I don't know about your valve.

See OIL SUPPLY LINE CHECK VALVES

(Dec 2, 2014) Ralph said:
Cant get a reading on the vac gauge.

Reply:

Ralph

Yes, on at least some check valve models there is an internal hinged flapper that will not work properly if upside down.

Question: loud BANG from the crawl area where we have an abandoned oil tank

(Jan 28, 2015) Anonymous said:
I have recently abandoned my oiltank in my crawl area it is in horizontal position I drained most of the oil and caped all the plug.

Every now and then we hear a lowd bang from the crawl area .can this be from the old 280 gal oil tank and if so what can I do to stop this loud bang that can wake you up im positive its not the water pipes expanding and contracting I put a pressure reducing valve on the water main with a expansion tank

thank Tom M

Reply:

Thermal changes could be making the empty tank steel warp and sound bangy. Have someone take a look.

05/11/2015 NHFireBear adds:

Anonymous (regarding abandoned oil tank): State and local codes vary, but the national NFPA 31 Standard for Installation of Oil Burning Equipment requires that the old oil tank be emptied, purged and removed from the premises.

However, if you converted fuels and want to keep the existing tank in case you switch back, you have to LEAVE THE VENT PIPE intact and open, plug the fill pipe with concrete and all other pipes must be capped or sealed.

See NFPA 31 (2011):7.12.

Atmospheric pressure changes can, in fact, cause a sealed tank to "bang" as its walls expand and contract.


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