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Most homeowners do not know that they are responsible if their oil tank leaks. If a tank leaks and
contaminates the surrounding soil, the cost for the cleanup, which includes excavating around the tank, scooping up the oil
saturated soil, and carting it away by a licensed carter, must be paid for by the homeowner. This effort can cost thousands
of dollars. If the oil leak contaminates an aquifer or a stream, the cost for cleanup can run into tens of thousands
of dollars. Most of the buried tanks used to store home heating oil are steel and have a projected life of about 25 years,
although the actual life depends on the extent to which water has been accumulating within the tank and on soil conditions. If
the oil tank for the house that you want to purchase is that age or older, you have 3 options. You can ask the seller
to provide you with a certification on the integrity of the tank; you can have the tank tested for leaks at your expense;
or as a preventive measure you can replace the tank. Some homes have buried tanks that are no longer in use because their
heating system has been converted from oil to gas. If this is the case, ask the seller if the tank has been properly put out
of service. If it hasn't, it should be; otherwise, safety and environmental problems can develop. In many communities, properly
putting a tank out of service is a legal requirement.
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Abandoned Tanks
An abandoned tank that has not been properly prepared will eventually deteriorate because of
corrosion resulting in leakage, collapse, or both. Leakage of course contaminates the soil. To put a tank out of service properly,
the residual oil and sludge at the bottom of the tank must be pumped out and disposed of, using a licensed carter. The tank
should then be removed entirely or filled with an approved filler such as sand. If the soil below the tank is contaminated,
it must be removed. The exact abandonment procedure may vary depending on the municipality. Check with your local department
of environmental conservation or health department for the approved method.
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