Underground Oil Storage Tanks and the Homeowner
Between the early 1930s and the mid 1970s, fuel oil was the predominant home heating mechanism. Most homes constructed during the era of fuel oil had an underground oil storage tank (UST). These tanks usually have a capacity of between 250 and 600 gallons. They are constructed of steel, with seam welds.
Fuel oil USTs are commonly located within a few feet of the foundation periphery. The top portion of the tank may be anywhere from a few inches to several feet below the surface and, on occasion, will actually be visible on the surface. USTs, as originally installed, will have a filler neck protruding above the ground, a vent stack and a fuel line to the furnace. Some tanks have a return line. The fuel and return lines may be below the surface, passing through the basement wall of the home.
As natural gas became available to homeowners as a heat source, many oil-fired furnaces were converted. In some cases, oil fired furnaces have been converted or replaced by electric heat. Such conversions have commonly been implemented without the removal of the UST from the premises. In some cases, however, the signature of the UST, i.e., vent stacks, filler pipe, etc., have been cut off by the homeowner or the installer, leaving the tank in place.
The soundness of a UST cannot be determined without either pressure testing the tank or excavation and inspection. Such factors as the original quality of the welds and fittings, metallurgy, soil conditions and internal moisture content will affect longevity. As a rule of thumb, any tank which has been in the ground longer than 15 or 20 years should be considered at risk of leakage.
One must bear in mind that a tank installed in the 1940s may have developed leakage during the 1970s and 1980s, until the homeowner replaced fuel oil with natural gas as the heating source. The undetected leakage may be a time bomb for the homeowner. Perhaps, the worst case scenario is detection of the leakage on an adjoining property when a neighbor excavates to remove their UST or constructs a swimming pool, removes a large tree, etc.
Numerous environmental studies in residential neighborhoods have established both the existence and potential for UST leakage. Although residential oil heat USTs are not regulated in the State of Washington (as they are in other states such as California) if a tank is leaking the contaminated soil poses a serious liability and regulatory problem for the homeowner. Mortgage lenders are also concerned about the potential soil contamination liability issues created by USTs because tank leakage will diminish the value of the home.
If a UST is currently in use for storage, most fuel distributors can either arrange for testing or refer the homeowner to a certified contractor. Homeowners currently using oil heat can also seek protection under the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA), (1-800-822-3905).
Tanks no longer in use or which have been removed without proper soil testing pose different problem. Obviously, any potential home purchaser and their lender do not want to inherit a UST problem.
Although the primary issue with USTs involves potential soil contamination, collapse must also be considered. A UST that has been out of service for many years will eventually lose structural integrity and collapse. Among the causative factors for a collapse, by way of example, would be the base of a ladder used during house painting or for some other repair activity. The result could be serious personal injury.
BUDGET TANK REMOVAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, LLC. has developed the best techniques for the inexpensive removal of your abandoned UST. We conduct the removal process with the least impact possible to your lawn, shrubs and fences. Once removed, the homeowner can have the peace of mind this potential environmental contamination problem has been resolved.
Our company discourages disabling in place for a number of reasons. First, removal allows complete inspection for contamination due to leakage. The void left by tank removal is filled with clean sand. Tanks filled with concrete slurry, sand or polyurethane foam leave underlying soil and groundwater contamination undiscovered.
Tanks filled with sand or concrete become so heavy removal requires either a large crane or cutting in place, either of which will be very expensive. Future home improvement, utility installations or landscape projects may require removal.
Polyurethane foam, while currently popular as a tank filler, often leaves voids inside the tank. Thus, the risk of collapse continues. More importantly, the long-term effect of polyurethane on soil and groundwater is unknown and unstudied.
In the unlikely event fuel oil has contaminated soil or groundwater. BUDGET TANK REMOVAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, LLC. has certified site assessors and professional legal staff to assist the homeowner with regulatory compliance and remediation. We have substantial success helping our customers obtain insurance coverage for the cost of cleanup.
