You Have A Leaking Oil Tank: What Should You Do?

A leaking oil tank is a danger to the environment, a health hazard to your family and an expensive fix. When your underground oil tank deteriorates enough to spring a leak, how should you handle the emergency?

Even if you had no knowledge of a buried oil tank on your property before you purchased your home, you are liable for the cleanup of all fuel spills. Sadly, most homeowners insurance policies do not cover this problem, and the longer you wait to remedy the matter, the more expensive it will be to contain the oil spill and excavate the contaminated soil.

Know the Signs of a Leak

First, a leaking oil tank may give off the smell of heating oil inside your home. You may also notice the grass above the tank begins to die or fail to grow. If you have a sump pit, check the quality of the water at the bottom to see if any oil has penetrated the groundwater surrounding your home. The drinking water in your home might also begin to have an odor. You may spot a sudden increase in your home’s fuel consumption if the tank is still in use.

The primary way to diagnose a leak is to have a reliable environmental firm complete a soil test. They will take a sample and inform you of any fuel presence in the ground surrounding the tank.

Call a Licensed Contractor Right Away

In most states, you must contract tank removal with a company certified to complete this type of recovery project. They will excavate around the tank, verify the presence of an oil spill and remove the tank. They may report the leak to the state if local laws require them to do so.

At this point, if you do happen to have oil tank leak coverage through a specific policy or a homeowners insurance policy, you will have to contact a claims adjuster to visit the site and determine the extent of the damage and provide a quote for the cleanup costs.

Once the contaminated soil is completely eradicated, the company will fill the hole with clean backfill and the soil will be tested for quality compliance.

File Appropriate Paperwork

Once the tank is removed and the soil restored, you must submit work receipts to your local governing authority in order to receive a “No Further Action” letter from the state. If you attempt to sell your home at any point, both mortgage and insurance companies will require this form for all real estate transactions.

Contact Stauffer’s Towing for professional, speedy removal and cleanup of your leaking oil tank.