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    Damp Tank...

    MAKev
    MAKev Member Posts: 6
    in Oil Heating
    Hi all! First post here and first experience with a home heated by oil (I'm in western MA). Heres my problem: Oil tank is in the garage and with the high humidity it is dripping water like crazy. It is only a 1/4 full so I can't imagine how wet it would be if I filled it up. I know I can run a dehumidifier, but with the garage door being opened a lot, it seems like it will have to run hard and all summer to stay ahead of the moisture. Any tips or tricks to deal with this? Thanks!

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    Comments

    • billtwocase
      billtwocase Member Posts: 2,384
      damp tank

      In conditions like that, best to keep it full, and have an additive that also serves as a water absorbent put in when it's filled
    • Charlie from wmass
      Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,413
      Are you sure it is water?

      Just making sure. a piece of white paper will be tinted pink if it is not water leaking out.
      Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

      cell # 413-841-6726
      https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
    • Ron Jr._3
      Ron Jr._3 Member Posts: 605
      Good point Charlie

      Is there a very wide swing in temperature in your garage from night to day ? I think it would have to be - for water to condense on the outside of the tank .
    • MAKev
      MAKev Member Posts: 6
      Thanks...

      Hi all,

      Thanks for your input - many good ideas!  Putting in an additive is a darn good idea.  Used to live in AK and people would park in the garage in winter; ice cold gas + heated garage = a whole lot of condensation in the fuel tank. Reverse conditions but same results. It is water on the tank, I did the paper check.  It also doesn't happen on drier/lower humidity days.  The garage is basement level, below ground level and was pretty cool as summer started, as was the oil. The door gets used quite a bit so quite a bit of hot air gets in.  The oil has slowly warmed up and the dripping has slowly decreased. I'm thinking about putting a heater in the garage, so this hopefully won't happen next summer.  Had to put a dehumidifier in the garage to keep the moisture down for the last two weeks or so.  The moisture was really starting to cause some mold problems.
    • Techman
      Techman Member Posts: 2,143
      condensation

      How about an oil tank heater and/or some tight fittihg insulation?The oil and the tank have to be colder than the warm humid air for condensation to occur.
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