who cleans oil tanks?

D107

Working on tuning Mom's heating system on LI. just ordered NSI co detectors; will contact comfort institute to see about combustion tune-up specialist. How often should oil tank be cleaned out re: sludge, etc? Anyone recommend a company to do that in the area? Guess we'll have to get chimney cleaned too.

Thanks,

David

Bill Nye_2

David

Sometimes the sludge on the bottom of a tank is the only thing between the oil and a leak. Let sleeping dogs lie.

If the tank is 25 yrs old or greater I would replace it rather than clean it. You may pay XXX$ to clean it only to have it leak a year or two later.

Just my 2 cents.

Ken D.

Tank

I agree with Bill. An old tank should be replaced. A newer tank can be cleaned. The frequency depends on how much sludge is in the tank and how quickly it comes back. Frequent sludge re-occurence indicates a problem somewhere. This stuff is listed as a hazardous material. You can't just dump it anywhere. It has to be documented in order to legally dispose of it. There are companies that specialize in tank cleaning. Look in the yellow pages.

J.C.A._3

Chimney's are easy....

The local phone book will give their names, just check that they are members of the National Chimney Sweeps Association and know the codes and laws for your state/county.

Tank cleaning is a different story. There may be a few oil companies that do it , for their customers, but not for anyone else. The chances of finding anyone in the business directory to do it are slim to none. If there is a question about the tank, it's in your Moms best interest to replace it. Cleaning an oil tank is sometimes it's own worst enemy as all the goo in the bottom, may be what is keeping it from leaking in the first place.

As history shows, lots of tanks on the Island of Long are buried. This is also not in her best interest any longer, as lots of lenders will not give loans on homes with buried tanks.(this isn't law yet...but trust me, it will be coming)

My advice would be to bite the bullet and just replace it. I think it will be "less expensive"(NOTICE I didn't say cheaper?) in the long run. JMHO. Chris

bob young

new york city & bklyn area call " tanks a lot "

D107

surprised by replacement suggestions...

gee, it's only 50 years old, looks so sturdy a foot above the basement floor. thanks for the advice. Can't say there IS a sludge problem or not, or if it has ever been drained from the bottom or cleaned in any way, but i guess age is the factor. Sounds like a hidden added cost factor to using oil. not only tank replacement but environmentally safe removal of old tank and contents. Got to be a few thousand dollars.

David

ChasMan

It cost the previous owner of my house 4250.00 to dig up the oil tank and replace it with a new one in the basement. My neighbours are all still in the ground.

Ich Wundermich

what about their tanks?

ChasMan

Ar Ar Ar.. Isnt English funny.. wish I could speak it.

George@TES

Call 1800 tank vac

jeb

I had a 550 oil tank (NJ) in the ground filled with foam. I think the cost was $950. Tank was cleaned and filled and town inspected.

Jim Finnegan

werr

You don't have to replace the tank, just abandon it and put a new one in. The old tank has to be rendered vapor free by being filled with a certain medium such as sand, foam, or cement. It will add to the value of the home to have a new tank, do it in the summer to avoid any hassles. It's part of homeownership