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April 3, 2020 by Waterline Environmental

3 Reasons Why You Need To Remove An Oil Tank Before You Move

So, you’re getting ready to sell your old vintage house, and you’re confident it will sell quickly. After all, what’s not to love? The charm, the history… the oil tank buried in the back yard.

In the olden days, homes used underground oil storage tanks with furnace oil, instead of natural gas, to heat their homes. In fact, if your house was built before 1982, chances are you may have an underground oil tank on your property and not even know about it!

As homeowners moved on to more modern forms of heating their homes, the oil tanks remained buried in their backyards, old and forgotten. Unfortunately, this does not bode well for your potential sale as the longer you keep the oil tanks in the ground, the higher the chance for soil and groundwater contamination.

1. Time Is Money

Once you discover an underground oil tank on your property, it becomes your legal obligation to either remove it or disclose it. If you chose not to remove a tank, you will ultimately be drastically shrinking your list of potential buyers, and the longer your house sits on the market, the more it will cost you.

2. You Could End Up Paying Litigation Costs

If your sell your house without disclosing an underground oil tank, you may still end up covering all the costs involved in removing it for the new owners, as well as potentially paying damages and litigation costs, which could run upwards of $10,000.

For real estate agents, it’s equally important for find trusted oil tank removal partners to protect your reputation as an agent and help your buyers and seller close deals.

3. Buyers Beware

If you’re hoping to sell to a builder to avoid negotiations with a buyer, you may end up costing yourself more money, as having an oil tank on the property can make builders weary. There are many factors in an oil tank removal that can be quite stressful to take on, and a purchaser can use that to their advantage.

In many cases, the sale of a property with an underground oil tank results in a sale price that is drastically reduced, as the purchaser can argue that the maximum possible costs should be covered. This could result in anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000 being taken off the list price, and while there are extreme projects that can amount to this, we find that most of our jobs do not even come close to this cost.

Protect the value of your home, and get the experts at Waterline Environmental to remove your residential oil tanks.

Removing An Underground Oil Tank

To avoid a stressful, messy, and expensive situation, we recommend removing an oil tank from your property as soon at it’s discovered. The longer a tank is left untreated, the more likely it is that it will rust and leak oil into the soil, resulting in soil contamination and further soil remediation and/or foundational underpinning to return the site to its natural, healthy state.

Contact Us Today!

If you suspect you have an underground oil tank on your property, call the certified professionals at Waterline Environmental today.

President: S.A. (Stu) Ferguson
Email: waterline@idirect.com
Direct: 905-876-8298
Office: 855-333-6604
Fax: 519-856-2149

February 13, 2020 by Waterline Environmental

What’s The Difference Between Underground and Above Ground Oil Tank Removal?

Better yet, what is the difference between an underground oil tank and an above one?

Aboveground Storage Tanks

An above ground oil tank is, well, above ground. These aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) are more often used for industrial oil storage, although some can be used for residential purposes, and are easier to maintain and test for leakage.

Removing An Aboveground Oil Tank

Aboveground tank removal is a much more straightforward process than dealing with an underground tank, however it still requires specialized tools and equipment which are only available to professionals that are TSSA certified, so this is no DIY job!

What Are The Steps For Removal?

First, we prepare the tank for pumping and flushing.
Next, we pump, flush the tank, and take purge and crimp out and remove the feeder lines.
We cut, if necessary, and remove the tank and piping from the property.
Concrete patch exterior wall where the fill and vent penetrated.
Provide letter stating tank was removed by licensed contractor.

Underground Storage (Oil) Tanks

An Underground Storage Tank (UST) is a container that is buried and contains fuel oil to be used in appliances, such as furnaces and boilers. These tanks tend to be a much higher risk to have on your property, because of the difficulty in detecting a leak, which you would be liable for.

Removing an Underground Oil Tank

Removing an underground oil tank is far more complicated due to the (a) fact that it’s underground, and (b) it is much more likely to have leaks than an aboveground tank.

Steps to Remove an Underground Oil Tank

Hand-dig to confirm locations of any services that run close to the tank (Hydro, gas, etc)
Excavate over the tank and store soil on site for backfill
Cut open the tank and remove all remaining liquid and sludge
Remove the tank from the ground and inspect for corrosive failure
A professional Geoscientist will be on site to observe the removal and secure soil samples for lab analysis
Backfill the tank nest with excavate and clean soils
Dispose of the tank and associated piping to a registered recycler
Remove fill and vent from the building perimeter
Remove supply and return piping from inside the house and patch with quick set concrete
Provide a report all to the Ministry of Environment and Energy and TSSA code compliance

Contact Waterline Environmental Today!

Waterline Environmental is pleased to serve a wide geographic area within Ontario including Toronto (GTA), Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Guelph, Cambridge, Kitchener, Mississauga, Brampton, Brantford, Barrie, and Collingwood.

Email: waterline@idirect.com

Direct: 905-876-8298

February 13, 2020 by Waterline Environmental

Why You Can’t Remove An Oil Tank Yourself

There’s no denying the charm that comes with an older home, not unlike many of those found in Toronto and the GTA: the character features, architectural details, desirable locations, and sometimes, an underground oil tank.

Years ago, the heating fuel of choice for Toronto homes was oil, but with the evolution of home heating technologies, energy efficiency and growing environmental awareness, most home owners have switched over to natural gas. Unfortunately, this does not mean all older homes had their oil tanks removed.

So what do you do if your home has an old oil tank buried underground?

The quick answer is that you DO NOT attempt to remove it on your own! Removing an underground oil tank is risky, highly technical work, which requires specific training and equipment. There are several major heath and safety risks that can come with attempting a DIY oil tank removal, which can be costly in more ways than one.

You are not registered with the Technical Standards And Safety Authority (TSSA)

When removing an oil tank from your residential property, you are required to use the services of a company that is registered with TSSA. Attempting to remove an oil tank can result in a notice to comply from TSSA, and definitely a loss of third party insurance.

You Could Do More Harm Than Good

Oil tank removal is a complicated process. We use specialized resources and equipment to pump out and dispose of the oil that remains in your tank. This equipment is not available to the general public, and without it you could cause serious damage to your home.

Think About Your Health and Safety

As abandoned oil tanks age, they can also corrode and decay, which means that oil in the tank can seep out. This oil leak poses a huge threat for soil and water contamination, which is dangerous for your physical health.

You Could Do More Harm Than Good

Think About Your Health and Safety

Contact Waterline Today!

Waterline Environmental Inc. is a Canadian owned and operated commercial and residential oil tank removal company that believes wholeheartedly in increasing safety and preserving the environment.

Our oil tank removals, soil remediation, and other contamination removal services go above and beyond to make your difficult oil tank removal situation as stress-free as possible.

Email: waterline@idirect.com

Direct: 905-876-8298

October 11, 2019 by Waterline Environmental

What To Expect When You Book An Appointment For Oil Tank Removal

Are you suspicious that a residential oil tank may be lurking beneath your property?

Are you looking to sell a home built before 1982?

If so, it’s a good idea to call professional oil tank removers, such as Waterline Environmental, to assess and address your concerns. Here’s what to expect when you book an appointment with us:

1. Contact Us With Your Oil Tank Concern

Simply call Waterline President Stu Ferguson at 905-876-8298 and explain what kind of property you have, where you live, and what the reason is for your call. Once you’ve had a chance to chat, we’ll set up a time we can come and visit your property.

2. Arriving On Site

On the scheduled date, we’ll arrive on-time and prepared to investigate your oil tank concerns. Our team is fully trained and equipped to provide you with the answers and advice you need during this period of unknowns.

3. Oil Tank Detection

We’ll begin our oil tank search with a visual inspection. Should we detect any 2 inch fill pipe appearing through your lawn, porch, or anywhere around your home, this is a good indication an oil tank lives below.

In most cases, if an oil tank has been removed from your property in the past, the fill pipe would have been removed too.

We’ll also look for vent pipes. Vent pipes were once used to provide ventilation for underground oil tanks, as oil was transferred to heat your home. If you notice one of these vent pipes, it is critical that you have the oil tank and vent pipe removed as soon as possible.

4. Plan Of Oil Tank Removal

At this point in our process, we’ll have either detected that you may have a tank, or have determined you do not have a tank on your property.

No Tank = Oil Tank Certificate

If no tank is detected during our search, we’ll issue you a certificate that indicates no oil tank was located and your property is free of risk.

Yes Tank = Free Quote

Our Waterline Team will conduct an efficient and thorough oil tank removal quote and provide you with an estimate that is as accurate as possible. We can guarantee that our prices are transparent and we include no hidden fees. We always put both you and the environment first.

5. Getting Started With Your Oil Tank Removal

When an underground oil tank is detected, it must be removed. All service locates are done by Waterline prior to excavation. We will hand-dig to confirm services that may be close to the underground tank (Hydro, gas, etc).

6. Oil Tank Excavation

Dedicated to your safety, we’ll carefully excavate over the tank and store soil on site for backfill.

7. Pumping Oil Out Of Your Tank

Before removing oil, Waterline Environmental specialist will cut open the tank. We will then remove all remaining liquid and sludges that may exist within the tank.

8. Oil Tank Removal

Finally, we will remove the tank from the ground and inspect for corrosive failure.

9. Sampling Your Soil For Contamination

When a fuel tank is expertly removed, a perimeter analysis of the tank is taken. Once the level of contamination has been estimated, workers dig the contaminant out completely – placing the removed soil in a lined, leak-free bin.

Contaminated soil is concerning as oil can impact soil quality, the health of your family and neighbours by contaminating well water / ground water and prevent the resale of your property.

10. Soil Testing

The Waterline team performs a thorough soil analysis, verified by a Professional Geoscientist.

If Clean Sample = All Good

  If the site complies with environmental regulation criteria, the tank nest can be backfilled with clean soil and reported as having met all requirements. We will then dispose of your tank and all associated piping to a registered recycler. We will also remove any fill and vent from the perimeter of your home or building, and ensure your property is clean and orderly before we depart.

If Contaminated Sample = Remediation Needed

If the soil analysis determines that the soil has a higher part per million (ppm) than the Ministry of Environment guidelines permit, the soil will need to be removed and transported to a registered receiver for remediation.

There are two processes that Waterline uses for remediating contaminated soil – in situ bioremediation or pump and treat. We will provide you with detailed information on which next steps need to be taken to clean your soil.

11. Re-Testing

Once remediation is complete, your soil must be re-tested to verify compliance.

12. Clean Sampling

Once our Geoscientist has cleared your property, the tank nest can be backfilled with clean soil. If we haven’t done so already, we will remove any fill and vent from the perimeter of your home or building, and ensure your property is clean and orderly before we depart.

13. Clean Report

In the end, a final report is signed by the attending P.Geo all to MOE & E, CSA and TSSA code requirements.

Contact Waterline Today!

To learn more about our oil tank removal service, contact us today or visit our FAQ page.

April 24, 2019 by Waterline Environmental

Are Oil Tank Removal Costs Covered By The Government or Insurance?

At Waterline Environmental, one of the most frequent questions we’re asked is: will my oil tank removal costs be covered?

In this article, we explore this question among others:

Will the Canadian Government pay for my oil tank removal?

Unfortunately, the Government of Canada DOES NOT cover oil tank removal costs.

If you have an underground oil tank on your property, your tank is exempt from Federal Regulations. However, if this tank releases harmful oil into its surrounding area, you are no longer exempt from Federal Regulations.

If it is discovered that oil has leaked from your tank, you will need to take immediate and reasonable measures to address the spill and report it. Failure to take action or to report the spill is against the law.

Will my insurance company cover the costs of oil tank removal?

Most home insurance policies DO NOT cover the damage to your home resulting from oil spills. In some cases, liability coverage MAY cover some of the cost if oil spills onto the property of your neighbour.

Without insurance that includes specific mention of oil tank spills or leaks, you will likely be fully responsible for the clean-up process and the associated costs with doing so.

If I’ve found a residential oil tank on my property, what’s the first thing I must do?

If you have discovered a residential oil tank during your attempt to sell your home, it becomes your legal responsibility to remove the tank or to disclose the presence of the tank to prospective buyers.

If you are interested in buying a home where a residential oil tank is present, we suggest that you do not purchase the home until the tank is removed and the soil has been tested for contamination while still under the ownership of the sellers.

If the current owner of the property does not have any paperwork on the oil tank, this is a clear sign the tank has not been removed or tested, and this paperwork does not exist. While their tank may not yet be leaking, over time, this tank may begin to spill, making it your problem in the future.

In other words, if an oil tank is not in use, it should be removed so that it does not create an environmental hazard that becomes more costly over time.

If my tank is leaking, what action must I take?

Call a TSSA registered fuel oil contractor like Waterline Environmental to help you find and stop the leak and clean up any leaked fuel oil with soil remediation. You are also required to call the Spills Action Centre of the Ministry of Environment at 1-800-268-6060. Your insurance company may also be able to assist you.

How much does it cost to remove an oil tank from the basement in Canada?

Costs from removing residential oil tanks vary for a number of reasons. However, costs typically fall between $450.00 and $1,500 for removal.

How much does it cost to remove an oil tank from the ground in Canada?

Depending on the location of the tank, underground oil tank removal can cost $4,500 to $5,000 for a typical 500 gallon (2250 litre) steel tank.

What does the oil tank removal and clean up process include?

Removal of the tank from your property
Removing contaminated soil from the tank nest if needed
Testing soil for contamination and providing a detailed report

How We Can Help

Waterline Environmental is pleased to serve a wide geographic area within Ontario including Toronto, Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Guelph, Cambridge, Kitchener, Mississauga, Brampton, Brantford, Barrie, and Collingwood.

Email: waterline@idirect.com

Direct: 905-876-8298