time for new tanks??

ed wallace

yes now is the time to replace them before they leak if the price for 2 tanks is $1725 and includes removal of old tanks thats not a bad price

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tm

We bought our house last year and inherited a home full of neglect. The boiler was shot and I installed a new one which continues to be a pleasure. The tanks are twin 275s and are original from 1948. I am very worried that they will eventually leak and with my luck sooner than later. NOW is a good time for me to get rid of them - so............
1. Is it a good idea?
2. Is it something I can tackle? I figure I will need to cut them in half to get them up the basement stairs and will need to haul them to the scrap metal yard after cleaning. I got a price of $1000 to remove them(wow). Also got a price of $1750 to install a new one (wow again)
I know I will have no problem with the install as I ran a new line last year from tanks to boiler.

I am worried most about the mess and the smell as I figure no matter how careful I am I will get oil on the basement floor.
Last year I had a filter leak and lost gallons of oil on the floor - the smell lasted for months.

I welcome some advice.

tm

Thanks Ed,
no it is 1K to remove and 1750 to install for a total of $2750 (and the install is only for one 275). Really makes me want to do it myself........

RadPro

Get a few more quotes.

I would recommend you have an oil dealer install the tanks. They are the ones that will have to service them year after year. They will install all the neccesary components correctly.

Removal sounds a bit steep but cutting, cleaning, hauling tanks is no easy task.

ed wallace

oil tanks

was this price from your oil company? where are you located maybe someone who post on the wall can give you a better price

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tm

by the way, what can cause the leak? These tanks have been in the basement their whole life so were not exposed to elements. Is the oil sludge itself corrosive?

Constantin

Oil carries some water...

... and then thermal differences between the inside and the outside of the tank can also cause the air inside the tank to condense. Water droplets form, drop to the bottom of the tank, where a thin layer of microbes turn the interface between the oil and the water layer into a sludge-factory.

Pitching the tanks towards the outlet helps, but the best bet is not to have a metal tank in contact with the oil at all. Double-wall tanks like Roth are your best and safest bet. I love the two I have in my home.