Environment DEC
From the October 2006 issue
DEC Advises Homeowners to Check Heating Oil Tanks
DEC encourages all homeowners with heating oil tanks to check their systems to ensure proper functioning. Left unaddressed, deteriorating tanks and supply lines can spill or leak, polluting water wells, releasing unhealthy petroleum vapors in homes, and resulting in expensive cleanups.
"Every fall and winter we see a number of petroleum spills as homeowners resume the use of their storage tanks," said DEC Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan. "If a spill is detected, sampling and analysis are recommended if the tank is located near any wells, drinking water supplies, wetlands, ponds or streams."
Tank Support is Critical
This tank shows rusty flaking metal,
a sure sign that it needs replacing
Oil tanks may fail in the fall when they are refilled after having been left empty all summer. A residential heating oil tank weighs almost one ton when full. Therefore, it is important to make sure that oil tanks are properly and securely supported. Rusted legs or inadequate support can lead to a tank tipping over and spilling its contents. Also, differences in the frost thickness near a building foundation can cause tanks to tip over.
Along with oil tank problems, other heating system issues can arise in the fall and winter months. Furnaces or other heating appliances may have loose connections or may have been improperly put back together. A number of spills occur from deliveries to the wrong address or to lines no longer attached to a tank. Warm days after an extended period of winter weather can result in ice coming off the roof and shearing off supply piping. Snow around tanks can obscure the view of an existing problem when the fuel oil supplier fills the tank.
Inspection Checklist
To prevent spills, DEC recommends homeowners inspect their heating systems each year. Questions to consider include:
- What is the condition of the tank, its legs or supports? Are they bent or crooked? Are they rusty, with metal flaking off? Is it more than 30 years old? These are signs that a tank may need replacing.
- Are there overhanging eaves where ice is likely to slide off?
- Are the fill and vent lines hooked up?
- Are the vent whistle and gauge in good condition?
- Is the fuel-oil filter weeping?
If any of theses problems are discovered, the heating system needs attention from a professional heating system technician. Many oil companies offer programs to install safety related devices or replacement equipment, and some offer full maintenance plans. Contact your fuel supplier for assistance.
Report Spills Promptly
DEC advises that any release of oil from a heating oil system must be reported promptly to the New York State Spills Hotline at 1-800-457-7362. Quick response in addressing a spill usually means less damage and easier cleanup. DEC can provide homeowners with names of qualified firms that can perform cleanup activities. However, it is the homeowner's responsibility to retain the contractor. Depending on the severity of the release, cost may be significant. Homeowners may also want to evaluate their insurance policies, as coverage on the expense of a spill cleanup can vary among insurance companies.
More Information
For further information on home heating oil tanks, please visit the web page, Underground Heating Oil Tanks-A Homeowner's Guide, on DEC's website. If you have questions on a petroleum spill, please contact your Regional DEC Spills office. Phone numbers and addresses can be found at the web page, Regional Contacts for Bulk Storage and Spill Response Programs, on DEC's website. See "Related Links" below for the web page links mentioned above.
