Oil Tank Inspection

Oil Tank Inspection

How to properly handle an oil tank on your current or future property.

By Erin Hall

The goal of this post is to enlighten and empower buyers to know WHAT to do in terms of an inspection, HOW to do it, and WHO to call when there is an oil tank on the property. Notice I did not say the tank was actually in use, it merely needs to be buried to be of concern. Sellers may also benefit from reading this if they aren’t aware of a buyer’s ability to do such an inspection or if a purchaser asks the seller to conduct such an inspection.

Before moving to Virginia I was not aware of oil being used as fuel for a furnace, maybe because of my naiveté or because I grew up in a home with a gas furnace. While living here I have learned that I am not the only one that didn’t know oil could be used for heating, and furthermore be held in a tank buried near the house. Below is a step by step process for inspecting a property for oil tank leakage.

1. Find an expert company in the area that can assist with the inspection all the way through removing the tank if needed. Find a company that works well and accurately with the State of Virginia. In other words, if the tank is leaking, the State will provide monetary assistance (a $500 “Deductible”) for the cleanup of a leaking tank…and who wouldn’t want that assistance?!

The company I recommend for the Charlottesville area is Pollard Environmental.

2. Plan for at least 12-14 business days from the tank inspection to receive results as well as recommendations and anticipated costs for any necessary clean up.

3. The leakage report will determine the severity of the leak—if the tank has not leaked at all, to the tank leaking significantly. Virginia law requires reporting of leaking tanks to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) who ultimately determines what must happen to a leaking tank:

i. Do nothing.

ii. Abandonment/ Proper Closure: (which is Code, not law) Oil is removed from the tank, but the tank is left in place. A permit is typically required by the County or City at an additional cost. In some cases the first step is to cut an opening in the top of the tank then oil/oil sludge are then carefully removed from the tank (either vacuumed or pumped out). Generally, abated tanks are filled with gravel, sand, concrete or many times structural foam, like “Great Stuff” once tank is emptied.

iii. Removal: The tank is removed along with the petroleum saturated soils below. Honestly it’s hard for me to recap all that could happen in this case as there are additionally factors such as how close is the tank to a well? Stream? Pond? The main point is that this scope of work is usually specified by the locality as a code compliant removal, and soils removal/remediation is usually specified by the VDEQ. Additional facts and references can be found on a Facts Sheet Pollard Environmental shared here.

4. Once VDEQ, or your state entity, has supplied their guidelines for the tank then you’re ready to contact the expert such as Pollard Environmental to come onsite and proceed.

Scroll down to see photos from a seller’s experience of having to pay for the removal of a tank that had not been in use for many years, however it had been leaking…a total shock and disappointment for the seller but an incredible learning experience for all parties. The seller was asked to conduct a leakage test, and from the test there was evidence of leakage. When the tank was eventually removed we were able to see small holes in the tank’s exterior. In this particular case, the purchaser requested that the tank be removed for code compliance and the seller was responsible for payment. Before Pollard Environmental began please note that the tank was not connected to anything in the house.

Initial Access to the Tank 

Pollard Environmental has dug down to the actual tank and is now using a saw to cut an opening in the top of the tank to see inside:

Truck to Remove Liquid

This is the truck that will take all the liquid from the tank to a proper facility for disposal:

Tank is Removed!

The excavator clamped one end of the tank and Removed it fairly easily and quickly!

Soil Samples Were Taken from Beneath the Underground Storage Tank:

Soil Clean Up

In some cases Pollard Environmental may pour an enzyme solvent to the soil. The enzyme is a bacterial remediation agent, or oil consuming bacteria solution:

Filling in the Tank Hole 

Now that the tank has been removed the hole must be filled. Gravel was used to replace tank, and any removed soils, so the pit won’t sink forever. The clean surface soils were then compacted to original grade:

Marking the Tank

White paint is used to mark any evidence of holes that were caused by rust:

Saying Goodbye!

The tank is strapped to a truck and hauled away to be disposed of:

Erin Hall is a Broker with Nest Realty. Her Southern charm and passion for people are deeply rooted in her peachy Dalton, Georgia upbringing. Erin’s energy and dedication to thoroughly servicing and supporting clients comes naturally.

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