Catonsville, Maryland is situated within Baltimore County, close to Anne Arundel County. It is located just west of Halethorpe, east of Ellicott City, north of Elkridge, and south of Woodlawn.
Catonsville encompasses three zip codes: 21228, 21229, and 21250. Although Catonsville was officially named in the early 1800s, its history dates back to the late 1700s. With such deep-rooted historical significance, it is common to find very old houses in the community. Even if the frame of a house has been rebuilt, one can still come across old stone foundations beneath them.
The importance of these foundations tie into our discussion today, which revolves around heating oil tanks in Catonsville. The area is home to various types of home heating oil tanks. These tanks can either be buried in the ground, located outside, or down in the basement.
In cases where the existing oil tank is in the basement, it may be impossible to remove it in one piece, due to narrow doorways commonly found in old houses. As a result, the old tank would need to be cut into pieces for removal.
However, the experts at GreenTRAX specialize in dealing with such situations. If you wish to install a new heating oil tank in a basement with a stone foundation, it may present challenges, and installing the new tank outside the house would be the preferred solution. Some of these stone foundations can be as thick as 3 feet, making it unfeasible to drill new holes through them.
Contrary to popular belief, the location of the tank has no bearing on its lifespan. Tanks actually corrode and degrade from the inside out. Dirt and moisture collect at the bottom of the tank, leading to corrosion. Holes and leaks on aboveground oil storage tanks, particularly the common 275-gallon size, always occur at the bottom. The lifespan of the tank is not affected by rain, snow, or other external factors.
If you need to remove an existing tank, contact GreenTRAX at 410-439-1085. We specialize in removing hundreds of aboveground tanks every year. We will pump out the tank, remove it, and ensure proper disposal. If the tank is located in the basement, we will also cut off and remove the pipes going through the wall and cement the holes. In cases where the tank cannot fit through the door in one piece, we will clean out the tank, cut it into pieces, and remove it accordingly.
For Catonsville residents in Baltimore County, MD, who have an underground storage tank (UST), there are important considerations to keep in mind:
- The tank must be removed by a licensed tank removal contractor; your general contractor, plumber, or friend cannot remove it.
- Baltimore County requires a permit for the removal, and an inspector must be present on-site.
- If the UST is taken out of service (e.g., switching to electric or natural gas), the tank must be removed within 180 days.
- Baltimore county requires the tank to be removed–If the tank cannot be removed due to structural issues, the presence of gas or electric lines above the tank, or inaccessibility, it can be abandoned in place. However, this option is more expensive than removal, and the job must be split into two phases as required by the inspector.
- If you are selling the property and have a buried tank, it is standard practice nowadays to remove the tank before settlement.
- Most buyers will not purchase a house with a buried oil tank, and their mortgage or home insurance company may prevent them from proceeding until the tank is removed.
- Contrary to popular belief, the amount of oil used does not indicate whether the tank is leaking. Unless the tank is completely empty just two days after an oil delivery, which would indicate a severe leak accompanied by an oil smell in the basement or oil in the French drain and sump pump pit, it is not possible to determine if the tank is leaking.
- In the case of well water, if a leaking tank is present, it is possible for the oil to contaminate the well water.
- When GreenTRAX performs a buried tank removal, you can expect a highly skilled crew. The job can be completed in just a few hours or less if the tank is clean and not leaking.
- If the tank is leaking, you may qualify for a partial reimbursement from the State of Maryland. GreenTRAX will guide you through this process.
- Your oil delivery company will not inform you if there is a problem with your tank unless your furnace shuts off due to water or excess sludge.
If you wish to have a new tank installed on the same day as the removal, GreenTRAX can accommodate your request. We offer various sizes, models, and warranty options for new tanks.
If you have any questions, feel free to call GreenTRAX. We can provide a same-day, hassle-free proposals for the work, so you don’t have to take time out of your day to meet us.
