This article is copied directly from an email I received from ADS Environmental
. I thought it was a very succinct and accurate description of the process. You may have been told at some point in time that a decommissioned oil tank could remain in the ground as long as it was filled with proper permits. Unfortunately, that is is no longer the case. If you have an underground storage tank you need to be prepared for ANY buyer to request that it be removed. The thing is – when it was decommissioned it was not routine for soil to be tested, or even for the tank to be evaluated for leaks prior to being filled. Read on for more information:
Oil Tank Removal – Step By Step Process
A typical oil tank removal first involves identifying where the tank is located. If you’re not familiar with the location of the oil tank, a brief site visit or a tank sweep will be necessary to determine the location of the underground tank and to determine what type of equipment is needed to complete the job.
Step 2: Determine whether a backhoe can be used to remove the oil tank.
The location of the oil tank will determine whether a backhoe can be used to remove the oil tank. If the underground oil tank (UST) is in a tight area or in an area where a backhoe or mini excavator cannot be brought, hand digging is the only option to uncover the oil tank. Hand digging involves more time and is often more costly than using a machine during the oil tank removal process.
Step 3: Get a Permit
Let ADS Keep your job Hassle Free! After the scope of work is determined, we will submit for your permits and call for a mark out before the oil tank removal work can begin. The towns usually charge a fee which can range between $75 or $200 (Can be higher in certain Towns), depending on the municipality. In some areas, the local utilities must be contacted to insure that power & sewer lines are properly identified and are not physically obstructing the tank. Once we have received your permit we will contact you with a schedule date.
Oil Tank Removal and Installation – How long will it take from start to finish?
Hours -not days & weeks. You should not anticipate much more time than this. Here’s the breakdown of the time it takes to complete each step.
1. Installing a new tank takes approximately one day. (In cases involving a hand dig the process can take longer)
If you are replacing your oil tank with an above ground tank, the entire process will be completed in one day. The placement of the new tank will be determined in advance either by homeowners request or contractor’s recommendation after a site visit.
The most common places for the new tank are in the basement, garage or outside the home. During the oil tank installation, ADS will install the new above ground tank and connect it to the oil burning furnace. Please note that we may have to run new piping from the above ground tank to the furnace, which is not a complicated project.
After the lines and oil tank are connected, we will disconnect the underground tank and make sure the oil flow is adequate and the furnace is operating properly. ADS Environmental will make sure heat and hot water (if heated by the oil burner) are functioning properly.
2. Most home heating oil tanks can be completely removed within one day..
* First, you can expect the ADS Environmental Pump Tank to remove all fuel from the tank.
* Next, our experienced crew will locate the underground tank by use of a backhoe or mini excavator to unearth the top of the oil tank. If the tank is not machine accessible, our crew will have to hand dig the tank top. You should expect approximately one half day extra if hand digging is necessary.
* When the tank is exposed, a hole is cut in the top and the tank interior is cleaned. After the cleaning, the tank is removed from the ground and ready for inspection.
3. Town may require an inspector to examine the work.
Many municipalities & towns will require their building inspector to examine the tank for leaks and visually examine the soil for contamination. ADS Environmental will arrange for the the town inspector’s visit the same day so that the tank can be removed from the property.
If the inspector is satisfied there is no contamination, the hole can be back filled and restored to grade. ADS will have additional soil ready on-site for the back fill process.
What happens to the Old Oil Tank?
The tank will be removed from your property. Assuming the tank did not leak, ADS will transport the tank to a state licensed salvage facility immediately after the completing the removal. This means in most cases the tank should be removed from your property the same day.
*Disclaimer – Based on Site conditions results may vary.
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