Heating oil is a great way to heat your home and water in an environmentally and cost-effective way. However, an oil leak has the potential to be extremely damaging on the environment and this will have serious implications for you - including hefty fines and even prosecution. It is therefore essential for homeowners with bunded fuel tanks to properly care for these tanks. Regular maintenance will not only save you money on potentially costly repairs, but it will also help protect your living environment by reducing the risk of harmful pollution. Fortunately, oil tank maintenance isn’t difficult. Here’s our guide on how to take care of your bunded oil tank:
Regular inspections of your bunded oil tank
It’s extremely important to inspect your tank regularly so that you can spot any warning signs before they turn into major issues. Check for things like - signs of damage or vandalism, general signs of wear and tear, and dust or rust forming. Remember to check the tank base for signs of cracks or residue and also check the bund layer for any liquid or rubbish. Experts advise that you should inspect your tank weekly to prevent issues from forming. Try including your tank inspection in your weekly chores - you could check the tank when you take the rubbish out, or hang washing on the line - forming a routine will make it easier to remember to check your tank.
Ensure accessibility
It is important to make sure your tank is accessible for deliveries, maintenance and repairs. You should therefore keep your tank in a location that is easy to access. However, keep in mind that fuel theft is on the rise and can prove extremely costly to homeowners. Keep your tank in a hidden location, where it cannot be viewed from the road or driveway - this will help reduce your chances of falling victim to theft or vandalism. Make sure an outdoor tank is protected from harsh elements like strong winds and falling ice or snow. Cutting back branches and removing any obstacles near your tank will also help prevent it from getting damaged.
Don’t overfill your oil tank
You must never overfill your tank as this could easily lead to a spillage or leak that would cause serious damage to the surrounding environment. It makes sense to buy oil in bulk when prices are lower, and generally the more oil you buy, the cheaper the price. However, this can lead to problems when maintaining your tank as it makes it easier for an overflow situation or leak to occur. Make sure you store extra fuel in a safe and secure manner to minimise the chance of this happening. Some bunded tanks are also fitted with an overfill protection device to prevent you from overfilling your tank.
Clean your oil tank
Condensation forms on the inside of tanks and the resulting water gets trapped inside. In a metal tank, this will lead to corrosion which can cause damage and leaks. The mix of water, rust, and oil will also create a sludge in the bottom of your tank which can block filters and pipes if not removed. It’s therefore necessary to clean the interior of your tank periodically to prevent this from happening. You should never try and do this job yourself - it’s extremely dangerous and only qualified professionals will have the right experience and equipment to do the job safely. You risk serious injury if you try to do this yourself, and you could even invalidate the insurance or warranty on the tank by not following safety protocol - so it’s always best to consult with a specialist!
Additional checks when it rains
We’ve already discussed the issues that can occur when water gets into your tank. For these reasons, you should always check your tank following heavy rain, to make sure no water has got inside. You also need to check the bund itself - the bund layer is designed to prevent leaks by containing everything the tank can hold, plus an additional 10 percent. If some of this space is taken up by rainwater, there could be a major issue if your inner tank suffers a leak, as there will be no space for the oil.
Final thought
A damaged tank can lead to huge costs for repairs, replacement, and even fines for leaks. Even a tiny amount of domestic heating oil can cause a huge amount of damage to the environment, which can threaten wildlife and their habitat, or even human life. It is therefore essential that you properly care for your bunded oil tank and carry out regular maintenance. Follow our guide and your tank should remain in great condition and offer you many more years of service.
