What Should You Do When You Discover an Oil Tank Buried On Your Property?

For many homeowners, having an underground oil tank on their property can lead to one problem after another. Whether it has a leak and contaminates the surrounding soil, leads to declining property values, or other issues, it's clear the tank needs to be removed as soon as possible. However, removing an oil tank buried underground is no easy task. If you have an oil tank buried on your property or suspect this may be the case, here are some suggestions as to what steps should be taken next.



Residential Oil Tank Removal Steps

Once it has been determined an oil tank is present on your property, there are several steps that will be taken by the tank removal professionals you've chosen. First, a technician experienced in the removal of buried oil tanks will come to your property to assess the situation and provide an estimate for the job to be done. After taking pictures of the property and gathering various measurements to determine the amount of oil left in the tank, the technician will provide an accurate estimate of the total cost of the job.

Oil Tank Detection

For many people who are planning to sell their home or are looking to purchase property, it sometimes comes as a great surprise to find out there is an underground oil tank buried on the premises. This can be particularly bothersome when the discovery of the tank causes a closing to be held up until the tank is removed and the soil around it is cleaned up and found to be contaminant-free, since this can lead to numerous unexpected expenses. Along with this, it should be noted that prior to obtaining a mortgage or purchasing insurance for your property a bank, insurance company, or attorney may require proof that there are no buried oil tanks on the grounds.



Falling Property Values

When an underground oil tank is found to be on a property, it can often be difficult to sell the property for a variety of reasons, one of which is falling property values. In these situations, potential buyers may be wary of making the purchase for fear of possible soil contamination or other issues that may result from an oil leak. To ensure this does not occur, it's imperative you make arrangements to have the tank removed as soon as possible. In some cases where an oil leak has occurred and the homeowner cannot afford the cost of cleanup, the property may be purchased by the oil tank removal company on an "As Is" basis, which releases the owner from future liability and allows the property to be sold as planned, with the understanding that the tank removal company will assume responsibility for soil remediation prior to any future sales of the property.

Soil Remediation

Needless to say, when an underground oil tank develops a leak, the ensuing soil contamination can lead to serious situations developing. However, while this sounds like a problem that may never get resolved, it can in fact be taken care of by utilizing the services of trained professionals. However, homeowners should be aware that soil samples of potentially contaminated soil should be taken only after it has been determined the tank is actually leaking and has been removed from the ground. To ensure you receive the services you need, trained technicians and inspectors will examine the tank upon removal, looking for corrosion holes. Along with this, they will examine the soil for signs of discoloration, any strong oil odors, and an oily sheen that may be present in groundwater. Therefore, it's imperative you ensure a subsurface evaluation is done by a licensed Site Remediation professional, who will see the project through from beginning to end. If it is determined that a leak has occurred, the site will be excavated to determine how much contamination has taken place, then the soil remediation is completed by being filled in with certified clean fill, followed by grading and then having grass seed and hay being put down. By making sure this process is followed, you will be assured of having property that will be free of any present or future contamination.

While having buried oil tanks on your property can present numerous challenges, it is a situation that can be rectified in a much easier fashion that most people think. By working with trained professionals skilled in oil tank detection and residential oil tank removal, any problems you may encounter will be easily solved.