Over time rust and debris build up inside your old steel oil tank. This creates a thick sludge. This is scooped into a drum for disposal as waste oil.
Next, the tank is cut open and cleaned. A technician also cuts holes, or “coupons,” in the bottom of the tank to obtain soil samples.
Inspection
Before oil tank removal Westchester County NY begins, technicians will visually inspect the site. They will check that all legs are solid, rust-free, and supporting the tank evenly. They will also examine the surrounding soil to ensure no contamination is present.
When inspecting an old home heating oil tank outside the house, the company will examine the fill pipe and vent line to ensure they are securely attached to the building and not leaking. Following the inspection, the tank will be purged of petroleum vapors, a crucial step to prevent soil and groundwater contamination. Additionally, soil samples will be taken from around the tank to check for any petroleum-based substances in the groundwater. Before excavation for the tank can begin, state law requires that the company call for a utility mark out. This step prevents the company from digging into buried power lines or other underground services that could be damaged during tank removal.
Disposal
Before the days of natural gas, fuel oil was the most common home heating energy source. Those tanks were often buried due to their size, unsightliness, and risk of theft or vandalism.
Certain precautions must be taken when a tank is declared abandoned in place, meaning it has never been used. This means opening the tank, removing all the oil and sludge, cleaning it, and filling it with an inert material like sand or concrete.
Once the tank is decommissioned, it is hauled away for proper disposal at a hazardous waste station. It is also highly recommended that soil samples be taken below the tank before excavation and closure. This data is helpful for the homeowner for their tank closure records. It proves the tank was not leaking and may help prevent future groundwater contamination. This is particularly important in states with healthy water as a primary drinking supply.
Cleanup
Over the years, rust, water, and bacteria have collected into a thick sludge in the bottom of an old oil tank. Before disposing of the tank safely, opening it up, removing the sludge, and cleaning it out is necessary. After installing a new oil tank, the company will replace all disturbed soil during excavation. They will also conduct tests to ensure all contaminants have been removed from the ground, especially if the tanks are near drinking water, wells, wetlands, ponds, or streams. In cases where tank removal is too expensive, the old tank may be abandoned and “closed in place,” but a proper abandonment process must be followed. This involves opening the tank, cleaning it, and filling it with sand or another material to prevent future leakage. This is the most cost-effective way to deal with an old buried tank.
Safety
Oil tank removal involves:
- Emptying and cleaning the tank.
- Pumping any remaining heating oil out of the pipes.
- Removing the old tank and pipes from the ground. It’s
Also essential that the tank site be tested. After cleaning, soil samples taken below the tank can confirm whether the UST leaked and polluted the soil.
Over time, rust, water, and bacteria can accumulate in thick sludge in the bottom of residential tanks. To ensure this sludge is not leaking or spilling during removal, experts cut into the tank and scrape the sediment into large buckets for safe storage.
The tank is then purged of petroleum vapors to create an oxygen-rich environment for further inspection and cleaning. It’s also essential that the company performing the work call for a utility mark out before digging to confirm that no underground lines are being affected. Please do this to avoid a costly and challenging cleanup.
