Regan Brown
Checking an old fuel oil tank is important to ensure that it is not leaking and contaminating your water supply, seeping through basement walls and floors, poisoning local wildlife, or causing other environmental damage. Old oil tanks can be buried underground, placed outdoors, or located inside a home, typically in a basement or garage. Before checking the oil level, it is important to locate the oil tank and understand the basics of the process. Once the tank is found, the oil level can be checked by reading the gauge, which is usually installed on most oil tanks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to check oil levels | Use a float-style gauge or a Smart Oil Gauge |
| How to check if the gauge is working | Test it by taking an oil reading the same day it is filled; the float should be at the top of the gauge or the middle of the float |
| How to check oil levels manually | Use a stick, like a meter stick or metal rod, to check the oil level |
| How to check for a buried oil tank | Search property paperwork, township municipal records, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s “UST Finder” database |
| How to prevent overfilling | Install an overfill alarm or an automatic shutoff device |
| How to locate an oil tank | Home oil tanks are often found in the basement, on an exterior side of the house, or underground |
| How to deal with a leaking oil tank | Book tank removal ASAP to avoid oil contamination and incurring fines |
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What You'll Learn
Locate your oil tank
Locating an old fuel oil tank on your property can be challenging, especially if it is underground. Here are some detailed steps to help you locate your oil tank:
Inspect Your Property
Begin by thoroughly inspecting your property, both indoors and outdoors. Look for any signs of oil stains or odours, particularly in the basement or crawl spaces. Copper wiring or copper fuel lines in these areas could indicate the presence of a buried oil tank. Check for small copper pipes that appear pinched closed, as these are typically connected to underground oil tanks.
Identify Vent and Fill Pipes
Vent and fill pipes were once used for ventilation and filling of underground oil tanks. Look for these pipes near the foundation of your home, in the basement, or even in your yard. If you find a fill valve near your gas meter, it is a sure sign of an abandoned oil tank underground. Fill valves are typically located a few inches above the ground but may be flush with the ground or covered by debris, leaves, or snow.
Research and Ask Questions
If you suspect an old oil tank may be present, don't hesitate to ask the previous owner or seller if they have any knowledge of it. Research your township's municipal records and public databases, such as the Environmental Protection Agency's "UST Finder" database, to gather information about the property. Private agencies that track oil tanks can also be a valuable resource.
Contact Professionals
If you suspect or discover an old oil tank on your property, it is essential to contact professionals for further inspection and possible removal. Companies like Superior Tank & Energy and Cedar Rock Environmental specialise in locating and removing old oil tanks, ensuring your property is safe and compliant with regulations.
Remember, old oil tanks can pose environmental and financial risks, so proactive measures and timely removal are crucial.
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Check for leaks
Checking your old fuel oil tank for leaks is an essential part of maintaining your heating system and preventing environmental damage. Here are the steps you should take to check for leaks:
Visual Inspection
Start by conducting a visual inspection of the tank and its surroundings. Look for any signs of leakage, such as visible oil stains, pools of oil, or sheens of oil on water surfaces near the tank. Check the ground or flooring around the tank for wet spots, discoloured soil, or stains. Inspect the exterior of the tank for signs of deterioration, rust, corrosion, or damage. Older tanks are more prone to corrosion, which can lead to leaks. Also, check for any drips or leaks around the oil filter, valves, or gauges.
Unusual Odors
Pay attention to any unusual or persistent odours around the tank or in your home. If you detect strong oil or fuel smells, it could indicate a leak. Volatile compounds in oil can evaporate and create a pungent vapour that may cause headaches and nausea if inhaled for prolonged periods.
Sudden Changes in Fuel Consumption
Monitor your fuel consumption levels. If you notice a sudden and significant increase or decrease in fuel consumption without any apparent reason, it may suggest a leak in the tank or fuel lines.
Tank Stability
Check the stability of the tank, especially if it is an above-ground tank. Ensure that the tank legs are not bent, rusty, or wobbly, and that the tank is placed on a stable foundation. Unstable tanks can crack or leak due to shifting ground or external pressure.
Soil Contamination
Monitor the soil around the tank for any signs of contamination. Look for unusual plant growth or dead vegetation near the tank. Oil leaks can seep into the soil and contaminate it, killing plants and vegetation.
Water Accumulation
Routinely check for water accumulation in the tank during service or tune-ups. Water can condense inside the tank, especially during the non-heating season when the tank is not full. Use water-finding paste with a tank stick to check for water accumulation and pump out any water until clean oil flows.
Spill and Overfill Devices
Install spill and overfill devices on your above-ground storage tanks (ASTs). These devices prevent spills and overflow during heating oil deliveries and provide an excellent way to ensure that no heating oil escapes into the ground.
Regular Maintenance
Schedule regular maintenance for your fuel oil tank, ideally at least once a year. Regular maintenance is the best way to prevent oil spills and leaks. During maintenance, a qualified technician will inspect the tank, lines, and associated equipment for any potential issues.
Remember, if you suspect a leak, it is crucial to act promptly and contact a qualified professional for assistance. Leaking oil tanks can cause environmental contamination, health hazards, and costly clean-up procedures.
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Understand oil tank gauge
Most fuel oil tanks are equipped with a traditional float-style gauge. This gauge features an arm with a float attached to its end and a hinge. There is also a plastic vial with a disk that indicates how full the heating oil tank is. As the float lowers, the disk also moves down. The vial has tick marks that indicate the level of fuel in the tank, usually marked as Full, 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4.
The float gauge is not very accurate, especially when the tank is low, due to the rounded bottom of the tank. As a rule of thumb, it is recommended to order heating oil when the gauge reads about 1/4 full. This gives a few days' buffer for the oil to arrive before the tank runs out.
To check if the float gauge is working correctly, remove the protective casing and gently push the float downward. If the float rises back up automatically when released, it is functioning correctly. If it stays down, the float may be faulty.
In addition to the float gauge, there is also a Smart Oil Gauge. Using both gauges together can provide the best data from the tank. Alternatively, a yardstick can be used to manually measure the oil level for a more accurate reading.
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Calculate remaining oil
There are several methods to calculate the amount of oil remaining in a fuel oil tank. The most common method is to use a gauge, which is present in most oil tanks. However, if your oil tank does not have a gauge, you can use alternative methods such as "sticking" or "sounding".
Sticking involves using a long stick or pole, such as a meter stick, metal rod, or a dipstick, to manually measure the depth of the oil in the tank. Remove the cap from the fill pipe and carefully slide the stick into the tank until it reaches the bottom. Pull the stick out slowly and examine how much of it is wet with oil. The height of the wet mark will give you an indication of the amount of fuel remaining, provided you know the size of your oil tank. You can use a heating oil tank measurement chart to convert inches to gallons. For example, if you have a 275-gallon vertical tank and the wet mark is nine inches tall, there is likely about 43 gallons remaining.
Another method, known as sounding, involves three steps: determining the size of your oil tank, taking an oil height measurement, and calculating the amount of heating oil left. First, calculate the capacity of your tank by measuring its length, width, and height. All measurements should be taken in inches. Next, determine the number of inches of heating oil in your tank by inserting a tape measure into the tank until it reaches the bottom. Finally, calculate the number of gallons of heating oil in your tank using the formula: (tank capacity / tank height) x number of inches of oil = total amount of gallons in your tank.
Additionally, you can use temperature strips purchased from a hardware store to indicate the oil level. These strips change colour with temperature, allowing you to identify the level of fuel oil by measuring the temperature of the outside of the metal tank. If the room temperature changes throughout the day, the strip will indicate the liquid level by showing where the tank is heating or cooling more slowly than the ambient temperature.
It is important to note that some oil may be unusable due to the presence of sludge, water, or other contaminants at the bottom of the tank. Therefore, it is recommended to keep your tank full to prevent condensation and rust damage.
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Replace the gauge if broken
If your oil tank gauge is broken, you can replace it yourself if you feel capable and have the right tools. However, if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, you can always contact an HVAC technician or a professional plumber to replace it for you.
Before you begin, it's important to understand how a float gauge works, as this will aid in removing the broken gauge. A float gauge has a floating piece (the 'float'), which is usually made of cork but can also be plastic, that sits on top of the oil. The float is attached to a long metal rod or hinged arm, with a plastic disc at the other end. The disc moves up and down with the float, housed behind a plastic vial that can be removed by hand. The float moves down as the oil level lowers.
To replace a float gauge, you will need the following tools:
- Rubber gloves
- A wrench (14" or bigger)
- Pipe dope or thread sealant
- Penetrating oil/liquid wrench (optional)
First, spray the tank cap with lubricant to loosen it. Then, carefully turn the cap with a wrench, being careful not to ruin the threads. Use a flashlight to locate the end of the old float gauge arm and pull it out of the tank with a piece of wire. Next, remove the gauge from the gauge pipe. Put the new gauge in place, re-insert the gauge pipe into the oil tank, and close the lid. You may want to use anti-seize on the threads to ensure a tighter seal.
It's important to note that if your tank is not empty and the gauge is near the end of the tank, you must hold the float up while doing this process, or you will destroy the gauge mechanism by twisting it up. Additionally, when loosening the float gauge's assembly, be careful not to loosen it more than half a turn, or the float will hit the tank's interior wall.
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Frequently asked questions
Check the paperwork for the property, including municipal records. Look for copper wiring near the furnace, oil stains in the basement, or a cut in the basement flooring.
Most oil tanks have a gauge installed. This is usually a clear glass or plastic tube with a float inside, marked with numbers or standard markings. You can also use a stick to manually check the level.
Remove the outer case and gently press the float down. If it returns to its original position, the gauge is working. You can also test it by taking an oil reading the same day it is filled.
First, convert the number of inches on your gauge to gallons. Then, subtract the total number of gallons in the tank from the size capacity of your oil tank.
Book tank removal as soon as possible to avoid oil contamination and incurring large fines.
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