Heating oil storage tank life expectancy questions and answers.

This article series describes the life range of an AST and what affects its service life then we continue with a discussion of the life of underground tanks.

The photo at page top shows how a leak develops and appears in an indoor oil storage tank, forming a stalactite of oil and sludge hanging from the bottom of the tank.

Oil Storage Tank Life Expectancy, Causes of Leaks, Steps to Maximize Oil Tank Life

Beginning here with a discussion of above ground oil tank life (AST life) we cover both above ground oil tank life and next, buried oil tank life. We discuss the oil tank life expectancy factors for both ASTs and USTs.

On 2019-02-06 by (mod) - can a buried oil tank cause a wet basement?

Maggie

To have space for a thorough reply to my "yes" answer to your question please see WATER ENTRY FROM BURIED TANKS

and post further comments or questions there.

On 2019-02-06 by Maggie

I have an underground oil tank, not used for 30 years. I didn’t know it was there when I bought the house. It is buried in the driveway. I leak in the basement has been going on for a few years. Now that I know the tank is on the other side of the wall. Is the tank causing the leak in the basement? Thank you

On 2018-12-15 by bob

the # on the plate is h732688 no12

On 2018-05-02 by (mod) - guessing the age of an oil tank

Anne

There is a reasonable guess that you can make about an oil tank age.

First note the age of the house.

Next note that if the heating system in the house was installed at the time of construction and it's an oil-fired heating system, and if there's no evidence that an oil tank has been replaced, then it would be reasonable to think that the oil tank that is there was installed when the heating system was installed.

Sometimes you'll also find notes on the heating equipment data service tags that could reflect the condition of the oil tank.

And of course don't forget to look for evidence of a previous oil tank at an older property. You'll find articles in this series on how to do that.

On 2018-05-01 by Anne

How can you identify the age of an oil tank when there is no label or date stamp on it? The house was remodeled in 2005 but if the oil tank was that age, it should have a date stamped on it.

Any ideas? We have no history on the house prior to 2005. Thanks!

On 2017-10-01 by Rob Coldwell

When tank label is damaged or unreadable. How can manufacture date be determined?

On 2017-08-14 by (mod) -

Aaron

20-60 years is a common oil storage tank life, with the warning that life varies considerably depending on tank materials, quality, installation conditions and other factors that we discuss in the article above.

The rate or frequency of oil tank leaks or oil storage tank failures, focused on underground storage tanks or USTs, is discussed in detail

TANK FAILURE RATES gives Oil Tank Failure Data - Oil Tank Failure Rates - Oil Tank Leak Probability as a Function of Tank Age, Location, Condition, Soil Conditions and Other Factors.

OIL TANK LEAK & ABANDONMENT REGULATIONS outlines who, when, and how oil leaks and spills must be reported to environmental authorities.

On 2017-08-13 by aaron

how long is a double bottom oil tank good for before I have to replace it mine is a 2010

On 2017-02-02 by Dom

How long does above outdoor oil tank near the water South Shore life expectancy

On 2016-12-30 by (mod) -

Debbie, I cannot really say what's in your basement from just your brief e-text. Typically the large tank found in a basement would be a heating oil tank.

A musty odor usually means there's moisture or water and thus mold in the area.

On 2016-12-29 08:03:34.696200 by Debbie

We have a large rusted tank in the basement of the home we are renting. The room is nailed shut. There is an odor in the basement that is more than just musty. That same smell seems to come up into one of the front bedrooms which we do not use. Are there any health hazards associated with this large rusted tank?

On 2016-11-23 22:32:25.404803 by (mod) -

What

The two copper lines are probably oil supply and oil return in a two - line oil system pumping oil from the tank to the fuel unit on your oil burner(s). On a 2 line system the second line returns excess oil pulled through by the pump, making priming work better - a factor important with buried tanks or tanks located lower than the oil burner.

Search InspectApedia.com using the box just above - look for OIL PIPING to see details.

On 2016-11-23 by What are the two copper pipes for coming out of the top of the tank?

What are the two copper pipes for coming out of the top of the tank? I have two copper pipes coming from the top of my tank and running along the wall out the exterior of the basement. I wonder what they are for?
Thx
Rebecca

On 2015-11-10 2 by (mod) -

Thanks Nancy - please see OIL TANK LIFE EXTENSION for a detailed reply

On 2015-11-10 1 by nancy

How can I protect my above ground oil tank from rust or decay ? Is there a rust proofing material to spray paint on or other method? The tank is NOT leaking now. I have another above ground tank that seems to seep as there is odor of oil and small area of staining on the ground. Also this tank is not in use but the supply line (copper) may have oil in it. How can I recover oil in the line ? It goes underground in places.

Question:

(Dec 10, 2014) Anonymous said:
some say that a 2mm tank is not good. but if you have a 2.5mm tank is good. but you need a inspection to get oil delivered. My tank is only 10 years old and it like new in basement.They are telling us that we have to change.What are the by-law on this situation.

Reply:

Anon

If there are "by laws" - meaning regulations that apply to your situation they will be defined by your state, province, county, or town. Start with your state DEP or DEC or your local building department when asking about regulations.

Or in More Reading (links just above) see the article series beginning at OIL TANK LEAK & ABANDONMENT REGULATIONS for details.

I am not aware of law or regulation that describes what you report.

Question:

(May 14, 2015) David said:
I have an existing enclosure above ground that has the following volume space for a residential fuel oil storage tank. The volume dimensions are 32” high, 96” long and 72” wide. I prefer the tank to be lined with a non-rusting material to prevent rusting from the inside out.

I need a single fuel oil tank that will fit within the above dimensions.

The fuel oil filler and vent pipe fittings need to be placed on the top right hand section within (3” to 6”) in from the edge along the (96”) length dimension and no more than (42”) from the right hand corner.

The tank will need to be adjusted in height to allow for the standard filler and vent pipe installation at the top. The tank will also need to accommodate the standard fuel oil fitting for the furnace fuel line feed at the bottom.

The fuel line feed for the furnace should be located anywhere along the bottom edge of the (72”) length adjacent to the corner of the fuel filler and vent pipe fittings. The tank dimensions only need to clear the enclosure dimensions by (2”) for maneuverability for putting the tank in place. I estimate the tank volume to be approximately 1370 cu. Ft. This amount of volume should be sufficient for one season of heating here in New Hampshire. I will hire a licensed well known fuel oil company for the tank installation.

I would be interested in estimated cost and availability. I would appreciate your feedback on this project. I can send a jpeg file for further clarification if required.
Regards,
David Provencher
dproven1@myfairpoint.net

Reply:

David it would make most sense to get cost and availability data from your local storage tank suppliers. We do not sell any product nor service. Doing so would be a conflict of interest with providing unbiased reader information.

Question:

(May 25, 2015) Larry said:
I have a 275 gallon heating oil tank in the basement that just started to drip very slightly from the bottom of the tank its self in the wall of the tank.

Is there a repair kit that I can get to put over that spot till I can use the oil up that is in the tank (yup its full )then I want to convert to gas and get rid of the tank

Reply:

Yes there are some clamp on or epoxy repair kits. Watch out about screwing in conventional tank washers and bolts at leak points as you can create a much bigger faster leak.

 

...

Continue reading at OIL TANK LIFE, ABOVEGROUND or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• If your oil tank is leaking see OIL TANK LEAK & ODOR ADVICE.
• OIL TANK LIFE for ASTs and USTs
  • ABOVE-GROUND OIL TANK LIFE EXPECTANCY
  • BURIED OIL TANK LIFE EXPECTANCY
  • OIL TANK LEAK / FAILURE RATES
  • OIL TANK LIFE EXTENSION
• OIL TANK PRESSURE
• OIL TANK TESTING & REMOVAL COs
• OIL TANK WATER CONTAMINATION

Suggested citation for this web page

OIL TANK LIFE, ABOVEGROUND FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to HEATING OIL, OIL BURNERS, OIL FIRED HEATERS, OIL TANKS

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