Your Guide to Getting a Perfect New Oil Tank for Your Home
Getting a new oil tank for your home is not as simple as buying any other household appliance. From buying to placing, from installing to maintenance, all of these steps have to be considered carefully, and it involves a lot of responsibility towards oneself as well as the society.
A spill from your oil tank can be dangerous for your health and the health of the surrounding environment. Hence, you should make a conscious choice while buying an oil tank for your home to avoid any possible chances of an oil leak.
Why May an Oil Tank Leak?
There are several reasons, such as:
- Defect of Tank Body
- Metal bodies may rust and leak.
- Plastic bodies may have inherent defects, wear-and-tear, or age.
- Damaged equipment, such as sight gauges.
- Trouble in fuel feed lines, like damage or wear-and-tear.
- Failure of components of the system at the boiler end.
Signs That You Need To Replace Your Oil Tank
If your tank has gotten old, you should consider replacing it. You should regularly get your tank checked by a professional to be sure it’s of sound condition. If it has been ages since you last got it checked or you have no idea of its condition, get it inspected right away and replace it if needed.
It’s Leaking Oil
This can happen to any oil tank. If you find a slightest sign of oil leaking from your tank, call the expert immediately to repair it as quick as possible. If they advise you to replace it, get it done to avoid further leaking.
Signs of External Damage
These signs of external damage reveal the presence of internal damages, too. Contact an expert and get the tank check if you see such signs like dents, chipping paint, or rust, and replace it if it is required.
Things to Consider While Getting a New Oil Tank
The two major things that you must keep in mind while deciding on a position for your oil tank are:
- Avoiding the risk of pollution as much as possible.
- Maximizing its security.
Think of a place that is perfect for your tank and also aligned with the local building regulations. It is better to install it outside your home above the ground. Also, install it within a secondary containment system to strengthen the protection system.
However, when installing a tank outside, try to put it in a place that often comes to your sight from the rooms that you spend most of your time. You will need it to keep it safer from being stolen.
Try not to place your tank underground. If for some reason there is no other way, make it clear that it would be completely safe and legally done. Oil tanks can be installed inside of a building too! In that case, installing it within a secondary containment system might be a legal requirement.
Note: Make sure your tank is not planned in a flood zone, since the risk of damage is high for the oil tanks around those areas.
What Type of Tank You Should Get
Get a quality tank that has been manufactured by a well-reputed company following European or British industrial standard. A bunded diesel oil fuel tank can be your favorite option here, since it provides the highest protection against oil leak.
However, regardless of the type of tank you choose, make sure it contains and displays the necessary instructions you need to follow in case of an oil leak. Otherwise, it may get you into legal trouble.
If you are intending to buy an underground tank, they must be specifically designed for it. Your new tank, no matter what type, should also contain the normal/maximum filling capacity, so that when you order the oil, you can order accordingly.
Note: If you are buying a second-hand oil tank, have an expert inspect it.
Accessibility
Your tank should be installed in a place that is easily accessible for both you and your delivery driver to check it regularly and fill the tank with oil perfectly without facing any extra hassles while getting close to it. There also should be enough space around it so that an oil tanker can be parked.
The Correct Way to Install Your New Oil Tank
The base for your oil tank must be on a stable level that extends at least 300 mm point past the widest portion of the tank from every direction as per the building regulation requirements to avoid any incident of spreading a fire to or from a nearby building.
The base must be strong and perfect in respect to the ground condition. If it’s a concrete made base, make the slab of 100 mm thickness. It can also be made of paving slabs. In such case, keep them closely butted and make sure they are at least 50 mm thick.
If you need to elevate the tank, follow every step instructed by the manufacturer company. Also, it has to have enough support while doing this. Especially, if it’s a plastic body, make sure its entire base gets the support.
Disposal of the Old Tank
Your oil tank and should be removed with expert care and consciousness so that no pollution is caused during the removal. The professional who installed your new oil tank should be given the responsibility of removing and disabling of your old tank and pipe work too.
The pipe work should also be removed by him at the same time. Make sure this will be done while making the contract with him. If for any reason the pipe work can not be removed, it must be sealed permanently in such a way that no one can try to use it further.
Requirements of Your Insurance Company
Talk to your insurance company about their requirements. They may also come up with useful advice regarding the placement of your tank, which can give you a clear indication of the effect it may have on your building and contents insurance.
Seek their advice on your tank’s security as well, since it may have an impact on your premiums.
Conclusion
Maintaining our environment and being conscious of public health is our responsibility. I hope this article has helped you to be aware of the things you need to consider as you decide to remove your old tank and install a new one.
