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Leaking Oil Tanks & Inspections
Written by John Pollard, Pollard Environmental, LLC   
Tuesday, 17 March 2009 00:00

Oil Tank   Oil Tank

Are underground oil tanks a concern?

Homes in Virginia that were built between 1945 and 1970 are likely to have an active or inactive heating oil tank, which may be buried or set above ground.  Our company, Pollard Environmental, LLC has been compiling statistics regarding the condition of buried oil tanks across the state.  We have determined that over 70% of small heating oil tanks are leaking (or have leaked) due to natural corrosion metal.  This is not surprising considering that most of these tanks are 40-60 years old and constructed of bare steel.  The leaking petroleum may impact drinking water wells, sumps, storm drains, creeks, basements, and groundwater.  Because the owner of the property of a leaking tank is typically responsible for necessary environmental cleanup, buyers of properties with buried oil tanks should have the tanks properly inspected prior to purchase.  Above ground tanks can easily be inspected by a general home inspector, but underground tanks are more complicated.  Our inspection includes advancing soil borings immediately adjacent to both ends of the tank to a depth below the bottom of the tank, and recovery of soil for laboratory analysis.  Our findings are interpreted in a written report to our client, to include methodology, findings, recommendations, and estimated "cost to cure."

What if a tank has leaked?

If a heating oil tank has leaked and environmental corrective action (such as abatement or cleanup) is required, there is financial assistance from the Virginia Petroleum Storage Tank Fund (VPSTF) to assist with the costs.  If the process is done properly (it should be done by an experienced professional), out-of-pocket costs for required environmental corrective action should not exceed $500.  There may be additional costs to satisfy local Building/Fire Code requirements exclusive of the environmental corrective action activities.  To learn more about heating oil tanks, environmental concerns, and cleanup requirements, check out "The Impact of Heating Oil Tanks on Residential Real Estate Transactions." 

For information on oil tank inspections, contact John Pollard, Pollard Environmental, LLC at 800-761-3299 / jpollard@pollardenvironmental.com or visit www.oiltanks.net.  Offices located in Richmond, Charlottesville, and Fredericksburg.