Soil Boring and Sampling in Westchester County, NY

     Soil testing should be performed to identify potential soil contamination. It can also measure the amount of leakage and identify the amount of remedial action necessary. Older oil tanks were usually installed underground in order to save space indoors. However due to the risk of an unknown tank leak, home heating oil tanks are now recommended to be installed above ground in a basement, garage or on a cement pad outside

There are several situations when you should perform soil testing in Westchester County:

•    When you are planning to buy or sell a home which has underground oil tank installed

•    When an underground oil tank was abandoned or removed, and no proper documents are mentioning the steps taken to assure there was no oil leakage.

•    When you observe a sudden increase in heating oil consumption which is not due to the weather

Soil testing examines the soil around the tank and checks for any contamination caused by underground oil tank. Remediation of tank leaks can be costly and time consuming. It is important to be sure there is no contamination before you purchase a home. Likewise, when selling, it is import to know prior to having a potential buyer discover it.

Soil testing includes the following steps:

•    The first step is to locate all underground utilities using DIG SAFELY NY including the underground home heating oil tank.

•    The second step is to install soil borings from several areas around the oil tank. Make sure that the sample gets collected from a depth below the level of the tank bottom. This is usually 6-8 feet below grade.

•    After the sample is obtained, the boring soil samples are then sent to a state certified testing lab for analysis. This helps in an authentic and an unbiased test result. The soil samples are analyzed for any petroleum product contamination using STARS METHOD 8260/8270.

•    The laboratory then provides a report of findings within seven days to ten of testing. In case of emergency, a report can also be provided in 24-48 hours so that immediate remedial action can be taken.

Once analytical data in our hands, we can recommend various remedial measures which can oil tank removal, soil disposal or more sampling. Soil borings and testing in Westchester County is considered one of most definitive tests to identify oil contamination (second to removing the oil tank)

However, soil testing only tells about the current state of the soil surrounding the oil tank. It reveals nothing about the quality or status of the tank. The underground oil tank could be corroding and potentially contaminate soil and water. Therefore it is recommended to replace the underground oil tank, if that is not an option soil testing is the second best option. Soil testing can also tell whether there is any water testing required or a need for soil contamination disposal.

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.

Helpful tips for buying a home with oil heat.

   When purchasing a home, it is important to know whether the home has or has had an oil tank.  If a “petroleum release” has occurred, it is the responsibility of the property owner to pay for all costs associated with the remediation of the contamination.  As a buyer there are a few things you can do to determine the condition of the tank and the soil around it.  

·       Request any paper work from the town, city or village detailing that the work was done to code.

·       

         Determine if there is or was an oil tank

o   Site visit to perform a field assessment

o   Tile Probe Area Of Concern (AOC)

o   Use Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

·       SoilTesting

o   Once the Area Of Concern (AOC) is established, Use soil probing technology to  insert 3 probes to a depth of 6-9 feet

o   Inspect the soil

§  Send the soil to the lab for analysis of Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC’s) and Volatile Organic Compounds

o   Compare Lab analytics with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Standards

·       

          TankTesting

o   When a tank is found, a NYS licensed tank tester, applies a vacuum to the tank along with an acoustical test.

    The best way to know for sure is to remove the tank prior to closing. Removing the oil tank prior to closing not only shows the buyer you are serious but also relieves you of future remediation costs. 

Old oil tanks can be a costly liability if they leak.  Oil tanks that had previously been decommissioned can also leak if not done properly.

  Some or most new home owner insurance policies do not cover oil tanks and the costs associated with heating oil contamination. This is why it is important to know the condition of the tank and the soil around the tank.  For More information visit www.barrier.com or Call (914)760-2090