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.

Does feeling muck at the bottom of my oil tank mean it's coming from the oil comany?

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 2019-01-11 by Henry -

Repy by (mod)

Sludge in the oil tank comes from the quality of heating oil being delivered, but that's not likely to be the fault of your oil delivery company but rather it's due to the quality of heating oil available to all of the homes in your area.

Why does heating oil flow out at the vent when my oil tank is filled?

Difficulty filling tank. Fuel oil back flowing at vent when being filled. On 2017-03-22 by Randy -

Reply 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.

How do I get sludge out of my oil tank piping between tank and oil burner?

How do I clear out the line from the sludge On 2017-02-08 by robert lopez

Reply 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.

See OIL TANK SLUDGE EMERGENCY MEASURES

How far above the bottom of the oil tank should my oil pick-up line be?

How high do I keep the oil lines off the bottom of the tank? On 2016-08-28 by Mike

Reply by (mod) - 2-4"

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.

Does waxing of the heating oil make it not usable?

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? On 2016-02-0 by George

Reply by (mod) no and yes

When heating oil has "waxed" or become jelled due to cold weather, no oil can flow to the oil burner. That will mean the building has no heat, risking frozen pipes and water or mold damage.

That wouldn't cause a fire directly, though if people coping with loss of heat made improper use of alternative heat methods like electric heaters or fireplaces not properly installed or used, that would in turn be unsafe and could lead to a house fire.

But if your heating oil was previously gelled but now is not, it's perfectly usable.

Daniel

...

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

Or see these

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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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