Recent Q&A about sludge & crud or contaminants in heating oil storage tanks.

This article series explains the causes and cures for heating system problems due to sludge in home heating oil tanks, including problems of clogged oil piping, clogged oil filters, oil burner malfunctions, and loss of heat due to sludge in the oil tank.

Q&A About Heating Oil Tank Sludge Problems #2

These questions and answers about sludge in oil tanks and the resulting problems of clogged heating oil lines, filters nozzles, or dirty / debris-loaded heating oil tanks were posted originally

at OIL TANK SLUDGE - please be sure to review that article series.

On 2019-02-07 9 by (mod) - ok to add oil tank additive to half-a tank?

Kathy

Basically it's not the most-effective use of an oil tank treatment or additive to add it to half-a tank of oil. It's not going to be well-mixed until the next oil delivery.

For a detailed answer please see OIL TANK TREATMENTS

where I repeat your question and make a more thorough reply than belongs on this FAQs page.

I welcome your further questions or comments.

On 2019-02-07 by Kathy

Can I add power flow oil energizer even if the tank is half full?

On 2019-01-11 by Henry

I measured my 275 gallon home heating oil tank and while doing so, I felt the measuring stick sink into murk. Why am i getting sludge in my oil when it is delivered?

On 2018-01-05 by Tim

What does oil heaters have lines

On 2017-03-22 by (mod) -

Randy that's not one I've come across: usually the oil delivery company is filling the tank by a nozzle connected to the fill pipe and then pumping under pressure.

First: check the tank itself to see if it's full - don't trust the gauge as it may be stuck - some gauges have a removable plastic top cover that would permit pushing the indicator rod down - to see if it moves freely.

Next: there could be a blockage in the line at the inlet or even at the vent piping (insects, mud daubers) though I'd think that pressure would force at least some air past most insect nests.

Keep me posted.

On 2017-03-22 by Randy

Difficulty filling tank. Fuel oil back flowing at vent when being filled.

On 2017-02-08 by (mod) - sometimes a gas or compressed air charge can clear out a blocked oil line

sometimes a gas or compressed air charge can clear out a blocked oil line if it's disconnected at both ends, but most often the technician will simply replace it.

Of course unless sludge is removed from (or dissolved in) the tank the line will quickly clog again.

On 2017-02-08 by robert lopez

How do I clear out the line from the sludge

On 2016-08-29 by (mod) -

Mike typically I see the pick-up line up 2-4 inches off of the tank bottom to avoid picking up water and sludge.

George:

Please search InspectApedia for HEATING OIL SHELF LIFE to read a detailed answer to your question.

On 2016-08-28 by Mike

How high do I keep the oil lines off the bottom of the tank?

On 2016-02-0 by George

does furnace oil gel to the point it not usable. We had a house fire, and the experts said it would gel up and not be usable, I disagree. It was not that
hot at the tanks location. Any comments?

...

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

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Suggested citation for this web page

OIL TANK SLUDGE FAQs-2 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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

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