Oil Tank Overview...

Do you use oil as a source of heat in your home/building? Check out this information we put together about oil tanks to help you better understand your equipment and the services we provide!

Signs of an aging tank…

 

As many of you know, the risk of an oil tank leaking increases as it ages, but did you know that there are signs that help indicate when a tank upgrade is necessary?

 

The overall lifespan of an oil tank is roughly 20 - 30 years, but remembering these signs can help you catch a leak before it happens, regardless of how old your tank is. If your oil tank is showing one or more of the following signs that it is nearing the end of its lifespan, please consider replacing your tank to avoid any unnecessary damage to your home. 

 

• Rusts & Dents: Tanks corrode from the inside - out, meaning rust and corrosion can run deeper than they appear on the exterior. If extreme corrosion is present, this may be an indication that your tank is at risk of failure.

 

• Wet Spots: If wet spots are found on either the surface of the tank itself or the floor, this could be an indicator that the tank is at risk of failure.

 

• Unstable Legs: If the legs appear unstable in any way, please have the tank inspected immediately.

 

• Check the Manufacturer’s Date: All tanks manufactured since 1990 have a hard-plated label attached to the side of them, displaying the manufactured date. Any tank greater than 30 years old is past its life cycle and should be considered for replacement immediately. A tank failure could cost homeowners a significant amount of money, especially if remedial clean-up is required.

 

What oil tank do we recommend?

 

When replacing your oil tank, please consider a double-walled Roth Tank. Roth Tanks come with a 30-year warranty, along with a 10-year/ two million dollar pollution coverage policy in the event of an oil leak. However, the double-walled casing that Roth Tanks have helps prevent a leak from occurring in the first place, keeping your home and the environment protected. 

 

What can you do for your current tank?

 

One of the most convenient and inexpensive ways to protect your home from an oil tank leak is to install a Tank Tray. The Tank Tray is a shield that slides directly underneath the oil tank and filter, protecting your home from up to 15 gallons of damaging oil. We recommend installing a Tank Tray in homes with oil tanks over 20 years old, or if there are signs of deterioration on the tank. Tank Trays are compatible with most oil tank configurations, giving homeowners the option of implementing one in almost any situation. If you know that you would like a tank tray installed prior to your next preventative maintenance, make sure to let us know you would like one installed while scheduling an appointment.

 

Outdoor Oil Tank Homeowner Tips…

 

Unlike indoor oil tanks, outdoor tanks have to endure the elements of nature, which can shorten the lifespan of your tank. However, there are some easy steps you can take as a homeowner to ensure your tank is in its best condition. 

 

For above-ground tanks, it is a good idea to periodically inspect the exterior surfaces and edges for leaks or deterioration. If you see any buildup of oil or debris on the tank, we highly recommend not touching it and calling a technician to come to address the situation for you. This is to ensure that if the tank is leaking, no further damage or corrosion will occur. The best thing to do is to contact your service provider and have them come out to assess and handle the situation, which could save you money and prevent damage to your home and property.

 

Assess the support of the tank; This includes visually inspecting the legs of the tank as well as the ground surrounding the tank for deterioration. If you see that a portion of the legs are corroding or the ground under the tank has shifted, contact your service provider and have them come to repair the impacted area.

 

Finally, you should look for any exposed areas of copper piping and ensure that there are no gashes or kinks along the tubing. Damage to the copper piping can result in an insufficient amount of fuel reaching the heating unit and massive property damage due to leaking oil saturating your property.

 

As always, we hope that this information was helpful for you and thank you for choosing Santoro Oil as your trusted heating and cooling provider. If you’re interested in learning more about oil tanks or would like to have a new tank/tank tray installed in your home, call us at (401) 942 - 5000 or contact us online today!