Monday, August 27, 2012

The Truth About Underground Oil Tanks

It's understandable. Your underground tank was put in eons ago, and you've probably never even seen it. There's a lot of controversy and misinformation surrounding buried oil tanks, and it's hard to know what to believe. Hopefully this post will help guide you through the process of tank testing and removal.

Unfortunately, you won't know the full story about your underground tank without a site assessment of the property. Here are some of the issues to consider:

  • The timeline for tank failure is based on a number of parameters including soil pH, tank construction and depth to groundwater.
  • The truth is that your underground tank can leak at any time, but the longer it’s in the ground, the more it’s subject to failure due to corrosion.
  • If a tank fails and leaks, remediation costs can escalate quickly
  • There is no way to tell a tank's condition from the grass and soil above it
  • There are only two kinds of underground tanks: those that are leaking, and those that will leak.
When it comes to underground oil tanks, there are a stack of variables you should keep in mind that factor into your tank's integrity. The only constant? There are no leak proof underground oil tanks. But don't panic! You can tackle your tank before it turns into a headache. Here's what underground oil tank removal involves:
  • Uncovering and opening the tank
  • Cleaning the tank of any contents including liquid and sludge
  • Safely emptying the tank of contents
  • Removing and disposing of tank under all necessary protocol
  • Backfilling area with certified clean fill material
Now that you have the facts, you can stop your underground tank problems before they start. Make sure you use a licensed professional to do the work, and thoroughly review all the options available. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call us.

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