Many homes which don’t have the external oil heat option keep their oil tanks underground. These tanks located underneath the due course of time can cause many problems if not removed. Besides, owners with older homes have a higher risk of having an underground oil tank.

Clifton, NJ, has many such properties where oil tanks that have been buried need to be dug out with a lot of care. There are several reasons to get it done which you will know in this article. Meanwhile, the process of oil tank removal in Clifton, NJ, is hassle-free and can save you from all the future danger that follows with an underlying oil tank.

How Underground Oil Tank Can Put You at Risk

If you know that you have an underground oil tank, you should inspect it regularly and have a professional carry out an insurance policy. Meanwhile, an underground oil tank can be risky due to many reasons like leakage.

Here are a few risks that can arise due to oil tank leaks:

• Significant Cost

• Health Risks
• Potential Lawsuits
• Property Value
• Environmental Impact

How to Detect an Abandoned or Buried Oil Tank

Clifton, NJ, is more than 100 years old; it has houses built around or before 1975 which often used oil for heat. There are chances of old oil tanks being buried under. So, to detect the age of your home and oil tanks, here are a few signs you can look for like:

• Copper pipes: First thing to look for is the location of the furnace in your home. Search for any small or old copper pipes that have been pinched off. And if you find any, it means the house used oil heat, and there is a possibility of an oil tank underground.

• Fill Valve or Pipe: Next step is to go out and scan in a 12-foot radius of your home for any oil tank fill pipe or valve. It is used to fill the tank, making it safe to assume that you may find an oil tank underneath.
• Vent Pipe: The final thing to look for is a vent pipe that you may find between six to twelve inches above the ground. This pipe can be one or two inches wide and mainly has a mushroom-shaped cap on its top, while it provides ventilation to the oil tank.

If all these things are found, you should contact a professional for oil tank removal in Clifton, Nj.

Risks Related to Underground Oil Tank

An underground oil tank can lead to many hazardous risks that may be hard to recover from. Some of such risks are:

• Risk of Leakage
• Resale Hardships
• House owner’s insurance may not cover costs
• Harmful to environment
• Can cause explosion and contamination

Process of Oil Tank Removal

The laws related to oil tank removal vary greatly. Some places have the rule to remove the underground tank within one year of its last use. You can find the exact rule according to your state.

The removal of an oil tank is done with the help of a professional as it’s a very delicate job. You require technicians trained specially for this and have the knowledge and equipment. You first need to have a special permit to undergo the process.

The oil tank is first emptied and thoroughly cleaned before it’s removed. And after digging it, the disposal and recycling are done. The costs of all the processes differ according to the complexity of the process.

The use of oil tanks by homeowners to maintain heat during winters was widespread. But with time and changes, the method has become risky and damaging. So, if you know that there is an underlying oil tank, you should get it removed soon to save your time, money, and environment.