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How Deep are Oil Tanks Buried? The depth of the oil tank can range between 1.5 feet to 2.5 feet. However, the best way to determine the location is to look for galvanized piping that emerges from the ground, otherwise known as the vent pipe.
How do you find an underground oil tank?
The easiest way to identify a potential buried fuel oil tank is to look for a fill pipe and vent pipe at the exterior of the home. Sometimes the pipes will go through the foundation wall of the home. Sometimes they just go down in to the ground.
How do I know if my house has an underground oil tank?
On the inside of the house, go to where the furnace is installed and look for small copper lines. They often come as a set and the copper tubes will usually be pinched on the ends. This tells you the house was once heated using oil and may have a buried oil tank.
Why were oil tanks buried?
Before municipalities installed natural gas lines, the furnaces in most homes used fuel oil stored in a tank. Due to their size and unsightliness, as well as the risk of vandalism and theft, tanks were often buried, explains real estate attorney and investor Rajeh Saadeh.
Can you bury an oil tank?
Only tanks that are specifically designed and constructed for underground use should be buried partially or wholly underground. Special design allows underground tanks to withstand the pressure exerted on the outside of the tank when it’s empty.
How far from house does oil tank need to be?
Your tank needs to be a specific distance away from non-fire rated parts of your property; for example, 1.8m away from eaves, sheds and gazebos and 760mm away from boundary fencing. You should not place a bunded oil tank within 1.8m of the doors, windows or any other construction openings.
Is my underground oil tank leaking?
Homeowners who suspect a leak should try digging in the ground around your oil tank. If the distinct smell of oil shows up, you’ve got a leak. The longer your oil tank leaked, the wider the area will be of affected soil, which will end up costing you as the owner.
What happens when oil leaks into the ground?
Oil can impact the underground plastic water pipes causing bad tastes and smells in drinking water in the neighbourhood. Kills garden plants and vegetation. Soaks into the brick or stonework of buildings. Pollutes rivers, streams and ground water surrounding the property.
What is a contaminated underground oil tank?
Soil contamination occurs when an underground oil tank has begun to leak. For years, when new homes were constructed, they were heated with oil, which was stored in underground tanks. While an oil tank can remain safely underground for years, the longer the tank remains, the higher the chances for leakage.
Why would a house have an oil tank?
Homes that currently utilize (or previously used) oil heat will have some sort of oil tank. Oil tanks store the oil fuel for such furnaces.
How would a seller inform a buyer that the property has an underground storage tank?
How would a seller inform a buyer that the property has an underground storage tank? The seller must include the information on the property condition disclosure.
How far away can oil tank be from boiler?
The base should also ordinarily extend a minimum of 300mm beyond the widest points of the tank and fully support the underside of the tank in its entirety.Fire Safety. Adjacent Structure Distance mm Distance inches Oil boiler flues 1800mm 6′ Non-fire rated boundary 760mm 2′ 6” Foliage and vegetation 600mm 2′.
Do oil tanks need planning permission?
If you want to install a fuel tank in your home, you are free to do so without planning permission. Fuel tanks are classed as permitted development, however, if you live in a listed property it is likely that you will require listed building consent.
Can an oil tank be against a wall?
The oil tank will be located within 1.8m of a non-fire-rated building or structure. If the tank is to be located against a stone boundary wall, that wall must extend at least 300mm beyond the height and ends of the tank and have thirty minutes of fire resistance.
Can an oil tank be in a garage?
Depending on the space available to you, domestic oil tanks can be positioned outdoors or indoors (including inside garages or outhouses).
Can I put a roof over my oil tank?
Your tank should be on floor level or below ground level – it must never be stored above roof level. Remember, your tank needs to be easily accessed for deliveries and maintenance, but away from areas that are at risk of damage via impact, machinery and weather.
Does an oil tank need to be higher than the boiler?
Raising the tank so that the bottom outlet is higher than the boiler inlet will allow gravity to feed the fuel directly to the boiler. If located at ground level, a bunded plastic tank will require an internal flexible suction pipe to draw the fuel oil up to a top outlet, which is factory fitted within the outer bund.
Can you sell a house with an underground oil tank in NJ?
There is currently no regulation prohibiting anyone from selling a home with an underground oil tank in NJ. The fact of the matter is that homes with an underground tank are less likely to sell as quickly as those with an above ground oil tank or gas.
Can you sell a house with an underground oil tank in PA?
There are no laws that require this to be done prior to any transactions. However, even though you do not legally need to do it, you still should. It is unlikely you will be able to sell your home without removing the old tank. Here is why you should have your oil tanks removed before selling your home.
