Up until the late 1990s, oil has been the primary source for heating systems in the US. Although most homeowners have switched to gas as it is much cheaper, many households have oil tanks in their backyards, whether active or inactive. However, because these oil tanks are very old, they pose many problems that can be money-draining and stressful for the homeowners.

What are the issues that come up with an oil tank in the home?

Oil tanks are buried only about a couple and half feet deep under the ground. This is to ensure that if something’s wrong with the underground tank, it can be easily looked into. However, this set up opens up a can of worms when the tank gets too old. Here are some issues you need to take into consideration that might need a tank repair if you have an old oil tank in your backyard.

A Likely Chance That It Might Leak

If your house has been built in the 1970s to 80s, there’s a high probability that the oil tank it uses is made of bare steel. Bare steel is a material that corrodes through time and, as a result, degrades the integrity of the tank. This will cause the oil inside to leak. If this happens, immediately get help with your oil tank. Even if the oil tank has been inactive for several years, the oil inside it does not diminish.

A leaking oil tank is just the start of it all. The aftermath would undoubtedly give you a lot of headaches when the leakage is left unchecked. In case of this, you’ll want to have truck spill kits on hand. The oil spill can:

1. Contaminate the soil. The one direct consequence of a leaking oil tank is polluting it’s surrounding area. Oil is thicker than water and thus clogs up the interstices and results in the death of plants. You have to be alarmed about this if you want your garden vegetables to be as healthy as those in farmer’s markets in Hamptons. Even grass could not penetrate through contaminated soil. It’ll also give your backyard unpleasant looking brownish spots.

2. Be a health hazard to you and your family. An oil tank that has been leaking for quite some time will give off that oil stench. Everybody would get a whiff of it, even your neighbors and all the people that pass by your property. Prolonged exposure to oil spills can cause skin and eye irritation, stress, and neurologic and breathing problems.

3. Leech through to groundwater. Depending on how long the oil has been oozing out of the tank, it can reach the nearest groundwater in your area and contaminate your tap water. If you notice a sheen surface in the tap, you have to suspect that either your oil tank has leaked or your neighbors. Either so, contaminated water is NEVER good for anyone’s health.

Water In Your Oil Tank

Just like how water will destroy your car’s engine, having water inside your oil tank will not only wreak havoc on your heating system but will also cause deterioration of the storage and can be a health hazard. But how does water get into your oil tank?

1. Condensation - Condensation happens when the weather starts to warm during the first few days of summer and spring. The cold surface of the tank meets the warm air and that leaves moist to build up inside the tank. This happens when the tank is partially full. To prevent moisture from getting into your oil tank, it’s better to keep it full during the winter months.

2. Rainwater - Water seeps into the egress of your oil tank when there are damaged vents, faulty or corroded seals, cracks or holes in the tank, and can be due to loose filler caps. These deteriorations may be caused by lack of maintenance and the age of the tank itself.

When water gets into your oil tank, any one of these things can happen.

• Growth of bacteria inside the tank. This nasty bacteria can corrode your tank, filter, fuel lines, burners and allow sludge to settle on the bottom of your tank, effectively decreasing the system’s efficiency.

• Corrosion is caused by the bacteria or the water itself. And what you know about corroding metal is that it deteriorates the metal and later creates cracks for your oil to leak.

• Freezing of the oil. Suppose you have remembered in your chemistry, oil freezes first than water. And if conditions inside the tank allow it, oil and water will freeze. If there is enough water to keep the oil in freeze mode, it could send ice crystals into your system and tear your pipes, filters, and damage your system.

Empty oil tank inconveniences

An empty oil tank doesn’t just mean you have to wear layers and layers of clothing and blankets, but it can also be a costly mistake. The problem with empty oil tanks is that sediments and debris will, at some point, accumulate and clog your filters as well as the feed line of your HVAC. Condensation is also another problem as there is more than enough room for moisture to build up and be your future cause of headache.

Unstable legs or foundation

An unstable oil tank cannot perform to its full capacity. This might be caused by a faulty design in the foundation, or the legs just naturally gave in because of corrosion or its age. Your heating storage instability is quite precarious if it has been set up as overhead oil storage. It might collapse at any time. Once you have noticed that your oil tank is angled to one side, call an oil tank contractor as soon as you can to prevent further complications.

Faulty Gauges and Alarms

It is common for any equipment to lose some of its function through time. For oil tanks, its fuel gauge and vent alarm are the most susceptible to damage. This is because they are more exposed to weathering and the external environment. These parts might not affect the efficiency of your heating system, but they will surely be handy in properly maintaining your equipment.

Just like any other equipment, your oil tank is vulnerable to external forces and will, in time, deteriorate either its parts or its function. As a responsible homeowner, your part is to have it regularly checked to avoid any untoward incidents happening and unnecessary expenses.