Removing an underground oil tank can be a daunting task. For many people, it is often easier to just ignore the issue and hope that somehow they will go away on their own. This is not a wise decision though. Underground oil tanks are known for leaking petroleum products into soil and groundwater which can cause serious environmental damage over time. The following article provides information about the benefits of removing underground oil tanks so that you know what your options are when you face this issue in the future.
Oil tanks are found underground, buried into the soil. These oil tanks can be removed from the ground by a company that specializes in this type of work. There are many reasons why you might want to remove an underground oil tank including environmental issues, costs and time required for removal.
Removing Underground Oil Tanks In New England
Many New England homes have underground oil tank buried in the ground. Although these tanks provide homeowners with oil for heating and powering their homes, it is always a good idea to consider removing them when they are no longer being used or if environmental issues have occurred.
Leaking oil tanks can damage the surrounding soil and create an unpleasant smell. In addition, removing underground oil tanks can help reduce the risk of fire or explosion since there is no ignition source near a leaking tank.
Removing underground oil tanks in New England takes about two hours to complete but companies often charge by the hour so be sure to contact them for their rates before moving forward with removal plans.
Underground Oil Tank Removal Costs
The cost to remove and underground oil tank varies depending on the size, location and how close to a home the tank is. For example, in New England the cost to remove underground oil tanks is about $700 for a 275-gallon tank and up to $1600 for a 1500 gallon tank.
Considering removing underground oil tanks when there are no longer being used or if environmental issues have occurred like leaking oil into soil or creating an unpleasant smell near homes. In addition, removing underground oil tanks reduces the risk of fire because there is no ignition source around them when leaking occurs. The average cost to remove these from New England ranges
In addition, some people opt for removal when they are selling their property while others prefer removing them before it is time to sell so that there will be no surprises if an inspection occurs.
The Steps To remove and Underground Oil Tank
The process to remove an Underground Oil is to first use a vacuum truck to remove the oil from the tank. The next step is to then bring in a crane and equipment for removal of the underground oil tank. The property is then inspected for oil leaks and to make sure that there is no environmental damage to the soil. Then a contractor will move the underground oil tank to a new site and then fill in the old hole where the underground oil tank was.
Using a licensed Contractor To Remove An Underground Tank
The importance of using a licensed contractor to remove an underground oil tank is to make sure that safety and environmental standards are met. The licensed contractor will also be able to answer any questions you may have about the process of removing an underground oil tank and how it affects your property.
Switching From and Underground Oil Tank To an Above Ground Tank
The benefits of using and above ground oil tank over an underground tank are that there’s no need to worry about the underground tank leaking. Above ground oil tanks are also usually more aesthetically pleasing then an underground oil tank and they don’t require permits or site plans just like below-ground storage tanks do.
There is one downside of using above ground tanks, which is a higher cost than what you would spend for an underground steel tank with a similar capacity. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, contact your local contractor today!