So, you may have had an oil tank for many years now you are converting from oil to natural gas, propane or electric and don’t know what to do with the old oil tank, be it underground or above ground. The simplest solution is to give us a call. We know how to handle tanks of all types and will ensure the job is done right.
The Steps to a Happy Heating Conversion
Before you switch, call the oil company and stop automatic delivery of oil. This will save you from paying for oil you don’t want or need. After this, you need to address your tank. The best thing to do at this point is to call GreenTRAX to have the tank removed properly and safely.
For an AST (aboveground storage tank) that is outside, it is a simple process to pump out remaining oil and sludge in tank and haul the tank away.
For an AST in the basement, it should be pumped out, the fill and vent pipes should be removed out of the wall, and the holes patched. The tank can then be removed. However, sometimes things have changed in the house from when the tank was first installed, and it may no longer fit out in one piece. In that case, the tank may need to be cut up in pieces to be removed, which is something we do all the time, safely and neatly.
Pro Tip About Oil Pipes!
It is most important to REMOVE the pipes from the wall OR, if not possible, seal the pipes on the outside with concrete. We have seen cases where an oil delivery driver mistakenly shows up to the wrong address and puts oil in the fill pipe sticking out of the wall which led to over 200 gallons of oil flooding the basement. That’s a nightmare no homeowner wants to deal with.
Not only that, but if you are converting from oil to natural gas or propane you MUST have the oil tank removed PRIOR to installing gas lines or propane tank to make sure the old tank does not interfere with new lines.
You do not want new gas line installed over top of the old tank, we have seen this before, it is better to deal with the UST PRIOR to installing new lines!
An Underground Tank is a Different Story
If your tank is a UST (underground) then the two options are REMOVAL or ABANDONMENT. As soon as you take your tank offline, the state requires the tank to be properly dealt with by a licensed TANK person within 180 days. You CANNOT just call a buddy, a plumber, HVAC guy or someone with a backhoe to handle it for you, as that is entirely illegal. Thankfully, we have options for you that will ensure the law is followed and your property is safe. Tank removal is often the best fit, as it is both cheaper and safer in the long run, especially if you’re planning on selling your house one day. When we remove the tank, we will provide all of the necessary paperwork to prove that the tank was handled legally, by licensed professionals.
Call GreenTRAX, Inc. today and let our professional team help you with this conversion process. We have everything you need to ensure the job is done right and in accordance with the law.
