When the cold season arrives, there are many ways in which you can up the temperatures inside your home. Heating units aren’t always the best option as these could ramp up your electricity bill. Lighting up the fireplace isn’t always a great option because these are a common cause of house fires. As such, most people prefer staying loyal to the tried and tested heating oil system.
Heating oil systems are powered by oil tanks, which are either placed above ground or buried underneath the house. These are durable tanks that can hold at least 275 gallons of heating oil. However, they are still prone to issues and leaks. One of the last things you’d want in your home is a heating system that’s suffering from leakage.
While not entirely common, these leaks are still a possibility. Most local governments encourage having your leaking oil tank fixed as this poses a serious danger to your home and health. Before we dive deep into what you can do when your oil tank has a leak, let’s talk about why it leaks in the first place.
Causes Of Leaks
Oil tanks that are buried underground are usually safe from exposure and outside elements, which could ruin the integrity of the tank. However, the moisture from the soil often causes steel to corrode. As such, oil tanks made from low-grade steel are often susceptible to such issues.
Once the metal begins to corrode, it could collapse, leaving the tank vulnerable. This is when a leak occurs. However, there are other internal factors that could cause a leak. For instance, the tank could not have been properly installed. Moreover, even if the steel doesn’t corrode, the durability of the tank will degrade over time.
If you have an above ground tank, then it’s best to have it under a cover so that it doesn’t get exposed to outside elements. However, we highly suggest getting an underground tank instead if you are considering getting on your own. Now that we’ve gotten this covered let’s talk about the important part which is what you can do once a leak is spotted in your oil tank.
What To Do When A Leak Happens?
The first thing you need to do is call a contractor to have the tank removed or replaced. According to Simple Tank Services, it’s better to have your tank replaced entirely instead of having the leak fixed. Once a weakness in one part of your tank occurs, there’s already a good chance that the entire integrity of the tank is affected.
When it comes to having the tank replaced, keep in mind that some states offer grants for people that get leaking oil tanks replaced. In 2014, the New Jersey DEP began offering grants to citizens that get their leaking oil tanks replaced or removed. The grant is offered to encourage more people to be more proactive in keeping their oil tanks safe.
The rules vary state-to-state, so it’s best that you consult with your local authorities before you have your leaking tank removed. The chances are that the contractor will tell you about these grants beforehand so you can ask them before they begin removing the tank. Again, you are encouraged to have the tank replaced as soon as possible.
If the leaks are already at a severe level, it’s a must that you contact the fire department as well. Heating oils are still a fire hazard, so you’ll need to make sure that the leak doesn’t compromise your safety. The oil could’ve already seeped into other parts of the house, and a fire department can help sort things out.
It’s not always easy to detect if your tank is leaking especially if you have an underground tank. Unless you really know how to check, looking for leaks is going to be very tough. Here are some of the signs that you need to look for if you are trying to find leaks in your oil tank.
Detecting An Underground Oil Tank Leak
It’s tough to detect an underground oil tank leak because you can’t see things immediately. However, there are a lot of telltale signs that show you what’s wrong immediately. One of the first signs is that your home isn’t getting the right amount of heat it used to. When an oil tank is leaking, the warmth the system provides will be generally weaker.
Aside from this, one of the first things you should check is your water supply. If you and those that live nearby have a well, it will become contaminated by the oil if there ever is a leak. The leaking oil will seep into the water table, affecting the supply quickly. If the water is contaminated, you can visually see the oil setting on top of it. Moreover, you can also smell the strong fumes coming from the water supply.
Another sign that can tell you immediately is the smell of your soil. If the leak is already severe, you can smell the fumes from your backyard immediately. Once you do smell it, one way to ensure that a leak really is there is by digging up a small patch of soil and smelling it if there’s a strong odor coming from it.
If you have an indoor oil tank – which is not the safest option, you can easily find the leak. Aside from smelling the fumes in your home, you can also check for oil puddles under the oil tank. Finding a leak in an indoor oil tank is way easier than finding one in an underground oil tank.
Oil tanks are hazardous to your health, and that’s not even considering that these could result in strong and uncontrollable fires. Heating systems are an amazing addition to your home, but if you want to ensure that it’s really doing more good than harm, then it’s vital to check for leaks all the time. Don’t let such issues linger for too long as it could do more damage than you think.