How can you prevent an oil spill from your heating oil tank?

Did you know that a single litre of heating oil is enough to contaminate one million litres of drinking water?

For this reason, combined with the increasing reluctance of insurance companies to compensate victims of such an incident, you probably don't want to find out that your heating oil tank is leaking. 

Follow these tips if you want to prevent an oil spill from your heating oil tank.

Replace your old oil tank

If you are concerned about oil spills and your heating oil tank is more than 25 years old, you should replace it with a new one! An oil tank only has a life span of 10 to 15 years if it is outside the house and 25 years when inside.

You can find out the age of your tank by inspecting its surface to see when it was manufactured. In fact, since the early 1980s, manufacturers have marked the date of manufacture on oil tanks.

If you can't find a date despite your efforts, it's probably a sign that your tank is more than 25 years old and should be replaced as soon as possible.

Check for the smell of oil after filling your tank

Every time you fill your heating oil tank, pay attention to any oil or hydrocarbon odours that may be noticeable near the tank.

This is a good habit to adopt, as oil spills often occur when the tank is being filled. If there is a leakage problem, there could be seepage and even contamination of the soil near the tank if it is located outside your building.

Don't leave your oil tank empty during the summer

You're probably wondering why you should store a large amount of heating oil in the middle of summer. 

The answer to this question lies in the fact that when part of the tank is empty during the hot season, condensation can form inside the tank. Over time, this vapour could cause rust and make the tank lose its airtightness.

Have your tank and furnace inspected annually

We recommend having your oil tank, and even your entire heating system, inspected and maintained at least once a year to detect any abnormalities. This will help you prevent problems before they occur.

This precaution will also improve the operation of your heating system, since this type of maintenance usually includes replacing filters and cleaning the pipes.

Contact EBI Enviro Urgence in the event of an oil spill

In conclusion, if you want to avoid a fuel oil spill from your heating oil tank at all costs, you will have to follow the advice above and even inspect your tank yourself frequently. This will help you detect any leaks before they can cause an environmental disaster.

If you believe that your old oil tank should be replaced, EBI Enviro Urgence can remove and dispose of it responsibly and in compliance with the law. Contact us to learn more about our service!