Oil Tank Testing

Whether you are buying or selling a house, it is important to know if the oil tank has or is leaking. If removal is not an option we recommend testing the oil tank and the soils around it.

    One of the most common misconceptions about oil tank testing is that is done with pressure. In fact, the opposite is done. When a tester performs a tank test he puts your tank under 3 pounds of vacuum and places a microphone in your tank. The down side is there are many reasons a tank can FAIL a tank test, causing a spill number to be created.

      Sometimes the 3 pounds isn't enough to pull air through holes in the bottom of leaky tanks and other times the tank may fail due to a piping issue. For more information http://barrier.com/failedtanktest.html

      We advise our clients; buyers, sellers and home owners to replace the underground storage tank with an above ground heating oil tank.  Especially when it is an older tank.  At least you will have a new tank afterwards.

     Another way is to test the soil around the tank. This is called a subsurface investigation or tank assessment.  This investigation tests the soil and/or water around your oil tank.  It allows you to know whether the soil/water around the tank has been impacted.

     In the end, any single wall underground home heating oil tank should be replaced with an above ground oil tank.  Even if the tank passes a tank test or subsurface analysis.

Above Ground Oil Tank Inspection

Above Ground Oil Tanks require very little maintenance. However, it is very important to inspect your tank

It is important for the homeowner to understand

Painted 275 Gallon Above Ground Oil Tank
www.barrier.com

that the oil tank is their property and their responsibility. The tank owner should ensure that it is properly maintained. Proper tank maintenance should include, but is not limited to, the following:

· Subscribing to a maintenance program performed by a heating oil  system licensed service technician;

· Visually inspecting the tank(s) at least Twice a year. Careful visual inspection will uncover traces of oil on the tank surface;

· Asking a service technician to check, at least once a year, for the presence of water inside the tank and to remove it;

· Immediately correct an unstable foundation or when the tank is likely to topple. The services of a licensed installer, Barrier Contracting, should be used;

· Maintaining the tank’s exterior surface, at least once per year, by: 

       1. Gently brushing the rusted areas on the tank’s exterior with sandpaper;

       2. Cleaning the sanded surface; and

       3. Applying a coat of rust proof metallic paint (readily available at

           any hardware store). If needed, Barrier Contracting can provide paint. 

Maintaining the tank’s exterior surface is a good practice and the

application of touch-up paint will not void the warranty of the tank

· Maintaining the tank liquid level as high as possible during the 

summer months to limit water condensation within the tank.

Oil Tank Removal in Westchester and Putnam, NY

 Barrier Contracting has trained professionals to help guide you through the oil tank removal process.  If your tank is above or below ground we have the expertise to provide excellent service.  We remove 275, 550,1000 up to 16,000 gallon oil tanks. If you are buying or selling a home, we recommend any underground fuel oil tanks be removed before the contracts are signed.  
      Oil Tanks over 25 years old can have a 20% failure rate. If you wait until you have a leaky tank it can be a disaster. If your storage tank is leaking we can provide you full service environmental remediation including soil removal, water disposal, soil testing, etc.  We handle inspections, sampling, closure reports and meet with local inspectors to make sure any issue is resolved. 
        At Barrier Contracting, we provide underground oil tank removal for homes and businesses. We can bring our excavator machine to your location and remove the tank safely and efficiently.  We also provide Oil tank removal by hand, which can be extremely dangerous if not done properly. Our specialists are experienced and knowledgeable about the industry’s best practices, and provide excellent service every time. Trust Barrier Contracting for all your needs, from fuel oil storage tank installation to oil tank removal.

ARE YOU THINKING OF PURCHASING A HOME WITH A HEATING OIL TANK?

   ARE YOU THINKING OF PURCHASING A HOME WITH A HEATING OIL TANK?

     Find out the age of the tank, some underground tanks can be as old as the house (some above ground tanks are the result of previously replaced underground tanks).  Replacing  below ground oil tanks is the BEST way to verify the tank has not failed and contaminated the property. Your home inspector, lawyer and bank will agree. We recommend to try to get the seller to remove the tank prior to closing 

   

   If no oil tank is present ask if there was a tank previously removed. If so ask for the paper work regarding its removal. Find out why they removed it. If the oil tank was filled in place ask for the results of the soil samples taken. If there were no samples taken, you can have samples taken or at least consult a professional (preferably Barrier). It is best to take sample around the sides and down roughly 2 feet below the bottom of the tank (7-12 feet). For more information visit www.barrier.com or call us today.