Q: What EPA regulations exist
for underground fuel tanks?
A. Currently, there are no regulations
on residential underground heating oil tanks with a capacity of less than 1,100 gallons.
After reviewing all the available information, the EPA decided it was not necessary
to include home heating oil tanks in regulations for underground storage
tanks.
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Q: How long do underground
tanks last?
A. Underground heating oil tanks like
everything else, wear out. The average tank lasts from 15 to 30 years a lot
longer than most equipment in your home. The key factors determining the
life span are the thickness and type of material used to fabricate the tank,
the quality of the installation, and the soil type in which it was buried.
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Q: What options are there
for replacing an underground tank?
A. There
are numerous economical options for replacing older or leaking tanks. You
can replace the tank with a new underground tank or you can replace the underground
tank with an above ground tank - to be placed either outside or inside. The
determining factors are usually based on aesthetics and cost. Your fuel supplier
will help you determine your best option.
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Q: How can I tell if my tank
needs to be replaced?
A. The following self-inspection list
for tanks will answer some questions and help you determine if you need to
call our office and have one of our trained technicians to inspect your tank.
Checklist
for all fuel tanks
- Excessive water in the tank
- Are there any signs of dead
vegetation in the area of the tank and fill?
- Is there an oil scent in crawl
space or basement?
- Are there signs of spills or
overfills around the fill pipe, vent lines, or tank?
- Check any sump pump pit and
floor drains for signs of oil.
- Are
there any leaks from the fitting, valves, filters, tank gauge, or piping?
- Is the fill cap
in place, and tightly secured against water leaks?
- Is the vent cap
in place?
- Make
sure the tank vent is not clogged or restricted with ice, snow, or insect
nests.
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