Uncategorized | Waterline Environmental

March 23, 2023 by Treefrog Essentials

What Is An Underground Oil Tank and Where Did It Come From?

Many property owners are surprised to learn there may be an underground oil tank on their property. As experts in the removal of underground residential and commercial oil tanks, we at Waterline Environmental get a lot of questions about this type of tank and how it got there in the first place – questions we’re always happy to answer!

A person holding a shovel standing in a shallow hole dug around an underground oil tank filler pipe.

So, let’s take a closer look at what an underground oil tank is, where it came from and why it’s on your property.

Residential Tank Removal

What is an underground oil tank?

An underground oil tank is a large container that holds oil used for heating or fuel. For example, underground oil tanks can be used to provide fuel for the furnaces and boilers that heat residential and commercial properties.

These tanks are most commonly made of steel and are able to hold between 275 to 1,000 gallons of fuel, with 550 gallons being the more common size used for residential underground oil tanks.

The average lifespan of an underground storage tank is 20 years; though, factors such as the tank’s construction, the type of soil around the tank, any excess groundwater, a closely buried electrical line and the thickness of the tank’s steel will affect its lifespan.

Where did the underground oil tank come from, and why is it on my property?

An underground oil tank is seen as a nuisance nowadays, requiring careful removal and soil remediation when discovered on a property, but they were once an important part of residential infrastructure, supplying Ontario homes with fuel for heating for over 70 years.

Now, advances in heating technology and energy efficiency paired with more environmental awareness have prompted most homeowners to make the switch from oil fuel to natural gas.

Before local governments installed the natural gas lines that many of us use to heat our properties today, most homes from the 1930s to the 1980s used fuel oil, which was stored in tanks, but because the tanks were large and unsightly, they were often buried on the property. This also protected the tanks from vandalism or theft.

But over time and without proper maintenance, underground oil tanks pose significant health and environmental risks. Oil can leak out as they corrode and rust, contaminating the surrounding soil and groundwater.

It’s for this reason that legislation was introduced to govern the storage and handling of fuel oil. For example, Ontario’s Fuel Oil Regulation stated that all existing steel underground oil tanks that were 25 years old and older as of October 1st, 2001, were required to be decommissioned and removed. The Regulations further require that fuel oil distributors only distribute their product to tanks registered with the TSSA (Technical Standards and Safety Authority).

If you are permitted to have an underground oil tank on your property in Ontario, you have a legal responsibility to maintain and service it to ensure it poses no environmental risk. You are required to have it maintained annually by trained professionals as well as complete a comprehensive inspection every 10 years.

Choose the licensed professionals at Waterline Environmental to handle all your underground oil tank removal needs!

When it comes to removal, remediation and more, look to the underground oil tank experts at Waterline Environmental to guide you through the removal process. Forget your stress and let us do the rest! Whether it’s for residential, commercial or industrial properties, our services are comprehensive, and our commitment to safety and the environment is unparalleled.

Contact Waterline Environmental

President: S.A. (Stu) Ferguson

Email: waterline@idirect.com

Direct: 905-876-8298

Office: 855-333-6604

Fax: 519-856-2149

March 19, 2023 by Treefrog Essentials

What Causes An Underground Oil Tank to Leak?

Finding out you have an underground oil tank on your property can quickly turn into a headache when you consider Ontario’s strict oil tank regulations. Ontario’s regulations are in place to ensure the safety of the public as well as the environment, as oil tanks are prone to leakage over time. But what causes an underground oil tank to leak in the first place?

As experienced underground oil tank removers and remediators, the professionals at Waterline Environmental get this question all the time, so let’s review some of the reasons that can cause an underground oil tank to spring a leak.

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Decay

We previously discussed what exactly oil tanks are and why some people will find them buried on their properties. The reason is that oil tanks were a common fuel source to heat homes throughout the mid to late 20th century. That means that any underground oil tank remaining on a property today has likely been there for quite some time, and as we know, time isn’t always our friend.

With an oil tank’s average life expectancy of roughly 20 years, the more time that passes beyond that, the more susceptible the tank is to decay and damage from elements inside and outside of the tank itself.

What causes corrosion and decay of the tank’s steel walls?

The surrounding soil

Certain types of soil have a higher salt content and acidity level than others, which causes the decay of the tank’s metal walls over time.

Water and sludge inside the tank

When there is space for air in an oil tank, humidity in the surrounding environment can cause condensation. The water becomes a breeding ground for bacteria while the oil feeds and houses microbes, forming a sludge that settles at the bottom of the oil tank. This sludge is both corrosive and acidic and eventually eats through the tank’s metal walls, causing a leak.

Overfill

As mentioned previously, there should not be too much space for air in an underground oil tank; otherwise, humidity and condensation will corrode the tank from the inside out.

On the flip side, a tank should also not be overfilled. The sweet spot is keeping the oil tank filled to around 80% capacity.

Overfilling an oil tank can cause fuel to back up through the fill pipe and spill out. You also want to ensure there is enough space in the tank to account for expansion when temperatures rise. This is because fuel expands when it is heated, and a warmer temperature, as we see in the summer months, will lead to some fuel expansion.

Lack of maintenance

It goes without saying that not maintaining an underground oil tank will lead to faster deterioration of the tank and, eventually, oil leaks.

Having an oil tank inspected by professionals yearly will help prevent and catch any ongoing decay and spillage, ensuring the tank is in good enough condition to keep its contents safely stored and out of the surrounding environment.

Without regular inspections, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether there is an oil leak since the tank is underground and out of sight, but it could be negligent to assume that an old underground oil tank unit would be free of any cracks, pinholes and leaks. That’s why it’s recommended that they are replaced if they are 15 years of age or older.

Of course, the simplest way to maintain an underground oil tank is just to have it removed entirely!

Freezing weather

With winter months and cold weather comes the dreaded freeze-and-thaw cycle. This cycle causes the soil around an underground oil tank to expand and contract. This ground movement can damage the older piping attached to an underground oil tank, resulting in oil leaks.

Below-zero temperatures can also cause cracks in the risers on the tank that will then allow water to seep in, and we already know the damage water can do when it gets into an underground oil tank.

Protect yourself and the environment from the dangers of underground oil tank leaks by contacting Waterline Environmental!

Industrial and residential underground oil tank removal and remediation is a tough and complicated job. Trust the certified and experienced experts at Waterline Environmental to get it done right!

Contact Waterline Environmental

President: S.A. (Stu) Ferguson

Email: waterline@idirect.com

Direct: 905-876-8298

Office: 855-333-6604

Fax: 519-856-2149

March 19, 2023 by Treefrog Essentials

How Do I Know If My Underground Oil Tank Is Leaking? 4 Ways to Spot a Leak

Having an underground oil tank on your property was once commonplace for residential homes, but now that they’ve been deemed inefficient, costly to upkeep, and dangerous to the environment, many homeowners have since called in experts like the team at Waterline Environmental for safe underground oil tank removal.

But what if you still have an underground oil tank on your property? How do you know if your oil tank is leaking? Well, here are four ways to spot a leak.

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1. An increasing heating bill.

Knowing your underground oil tank has sprung a leak can be tough to tell at first. While many things can cause an oil tank to leak, it won’t be something dramatic that tips you off; instead, it will become evident over time. One of the first things you’ll start to notice is that your heating bill will increase.

If you use your underground oil tank as your heating fuel source, then you will have some idea of what your consumption (and the cost!) should look like throughout the year, but if your oil tank is leaking, the amount will be higher than usual. This is especially true in the summer months when you don’t typically require additional heating. Try comparing your heating bill over a few months to see if something is amiss that requires either repair or oil tank removal.

2. Dying vegetation.

When an underground oil tank leaks, toxic materials seep into the ground and soil around it, poisoning anything that would normally grow. If you are noticing dead vegetation in the area around the location of your underground oil tank, that’s sure sign your oil tank is leaking, and you need to act fast.

Leaking oil tanks pose a significant risk to your and your neighbour’s property, the local environment and the nearby water supply, too. So, don’t hesitate to call in an experienced team like the professionals at Waterline Environmental to carry out an oil tank removal.

3. Oily or bad-tasting water.

As you can tell, when an underground oil tank starts leaking, it affects almost everything in its immediate surroundings, including water. Whether it’s the groundwater on your property or the water from your tap, your water can signal that your oil tank is leaking.

Walk around your property and check the groundwater, if you notice there’s an oily sheen to it and a bad odour, then chances are you’ve got a leak that will make oil tank removal all the more necessary. When it comes to the water coming from your taps, if you’re on well water and the leak reaches it, you will see, taste and smell it coming through the taps.

4. Foul-smelling, dark-coloured patches on your property.

Another way to tell if there’s an underground oil tank leak is to walk around your property and check for dark stains or patches. These dark patches will often emit a foul odour and will be greasy as well, tipping you off there’s likely an oil tank leaking underground that will need to be removed.

It’s important to note that if your underground oil tank has substantially leaked into the surrounding environment, you will likely need soil remediation and possibly foundation underpinning completed after the oil tank’s removal.

Is your oil tank leaking? Call the experts at Waterline Environmental to schedule an evaluation and oil tank removal!

Knowing if there’s an oil tank leaking on your property is important if you want to protect your property value and the environment around your home. If there is a leak, you’ll need to promptly schedule an oil tank removal with a licensed and reputable company like Waterline Environmental.

Contact Waterline Environmental

President: S.A. (Stu) Ferguson

Email: waterline@idirect.com

Direct: 905-876-8298

Office: 855-333-6604

March 19, 2023 by Waterline Environmental

How An Underground Oil Tank Affects the Value of Your Home

Underground oil tanks were common in properties across Ontario in the past. Used to store the fuel that would help heat homes, what was once a boon to residential neighbourhoods across the country is now a liability, especially if you plan on selling your house.

Due to their environmental risks and the onset of natural gas as a cleaner, safer fuel source, the province of Ontario mandated that, as of October 1, 2001, all steel underground oil tanks older than 25 years be removed from properties. If that’s not reason enough to invest in removal, then maybe knowing how they can cause your property value to tank will be. Here’s how an underground oil tank can affect the value of your home.

Learn more about residential oil tank removal.

What is an underground oil tank?

Considering the large impact having an underground oil tank can have, let’s learn a bit more about the costly beast that beds beneath your property.

As previously mentioned, up until recently, underground oil tanks were the standard for many residential properties for the last 70 years. The oil held inside was the fuel used to heat homes, which comes in handy in chilly Canadian winters.

Made of steel and able to hold between 275 to 1,000 gallons of fuel, these tanks would typically have a lifespan of roughly 20 years before they would start to break down and leak due to rust and corrosion. And therein lies the issue. Leaking even small amounts of oil into the local environment presents big problems, such as contamination of the surrounding soil and groundwater.

Luckily, natural gas proved to be safer for the environment and cheaper for homeowners, which is why it’s now the standard for heating homes.

Discover more about underground oil tanks and why it’s on your property.

How an underground oil tank affects your property value?

Considering the amount of damage an old underground oil tank can do to the environment around your home, it’s no surprise it can have serious negative effects on the value of your property.

That’s bad news for homeowners, and anyone looking to sell. Here’s why…

Underground oil tanks leak.

Even though an underground oil tank is made of strong steel, various factors, such as weather and the oil inside the tank, can cause a leak. Because underground oil tanks are no longer a common part of residential infrastructure, any that remain are likely past their prime, not maintained and prone to leaks.

Even worse, some homeowners may not even know they have an underground oil tank or one that’s sprung a leak. This means harmful oil could have been seeping into the surrounding area for quite some time, which can affect the health of the homoewoner and the surrounding environment. It can also translate into higher insurance fees, because most standard home insurance won’t cover the cost of oil leaks.

How to spot a leak.

Of course, if you have an underground oil tank, especially one that’s leaking, your property value will take a hit, meaning you won’t be able to sell at a higher price until it’s addressed. Suffice it to say, you’ll have to foot the bill for its removal and remediation, costs that any potential buyers definitely do not want to take on themselves.

The added costs.

Having an underground oil tank on your property not only poses threats to the environment but also your bottom line. While you may want to sell your home for a highly profitable price, the added costs of dealing with an underground oil tank will quickly turn off anyone thinking of buying your property. Meaning your property value won’t be as high as it could be. So, let’s talk costs.

Location and removal.

Finding and removing an underground oil tank is no small task and requires certified professionals like the team at Waterline Environmental to get the job done right. Potential buyers will want confirmation whether there is or isn’t an underground oil tank located on the property. If there is, they will want further assurance that the costs of locating and removing the tank are covered by the homeowner before going forward with closing the deal.

Waterline’s underground oil tank removal process.

Remediation.

There’s more to dealing with an underground oil tank than just costs for locating and removing the tank. If it’s been leaking into the soil, it will need to be remediated. Once the tank is removed, the soil will be tested for contaminants and, if it exceeds the Ministry of the Environment’s limits, it will need to be removed and treated.

Again, this will be a cost potential buyers will want covered by the homeowner, so it’s best to invest the money ahead of time to protect your property value.

Find out more about the soil remediation process.

Foundation underpinning.

If an underground oil tank has leaked into soil near a home’s foundation, that soil will need to be removed, compromising the support of the foundation it previously sat under. That’s why foundation underpinning is an important and necessary added step. This process ultimately stabilizes the structure itself or the soil it rests upon. Similar to the other costs mentioned above, homeowners will be expected to take this on before going through with the sale of their home.

Waterline’s foundation underpinning process.

While all these additional spends aren’t something most homeowners want to pay, they are necessary to maintaining your home’s value, and are a worthy investment.

Offputting to prospective buyers.

Considering the price tag that comes along with removing an underground oil tank, it’s no surprise that a property that still has one will drive away potential buyers, quashing any chance of a good sale.

For the many reasons detailed above, buyers will not want to take on costs for removing an underground oil tank, at least not without knowing or without a substantial reduction in the asking price. That’s why it’s best for homeowners to address the location, removal and remediation of the tank ahead of time: not only does it prevent a hit to your property value, but it also protects you from potential legal headaches after the sale of your home.

Can you buy or sell a home with an underground oil tank?

While you can buy or sell a home with an underground oil tank, its existence should be disclosed to the buying party. Of course, this can result in the loss of the sale, which is why it’s recommended that homeowners remove the tank before the home is even listed on the market. Real estate agents should recommend this as well since it protects the value of the home and increases the chances for a good sale.

Protect your property value by calling Waterline Environmental for your underground oil tank removal and remediation!

While it can come off as a costly and inconvenient headache, removing an underground oil tank doesn’t have to be when you work with the experienced and licensed team at Waterline Environmental. We ensure the location, removal and remediation process is done right so that you or any new owners can enjoy the home for what it’s truly worth!

February 15, 2022 by Waterline Environmental

5 Reasons Why You Need A Commercial Oil Tank Removal

Commercial oil tanks once provided a method for heat and transferring energy into buildings. With the emergence of more effective and efficient methods to achieve this, commercial oil tanks began to lose their purpose.

Rather, it has become critical and highly recommended to remove your commercial oil tank. Waterline Environmental has compiled a list of 5 reasons why you need a commercial oil tank removal.

1. Save on costs by removing your commercial oil tank

As mentioned above, newer and more energy-efficient systems are now available, removing the need for commercial oil tanks. By choosing to carry on using an oil tank, you face high maintenance costs in addition to the expensive fuel required to operate the oil tank.

Moreover, once an oil tank has been detected on your commercial property, removing it immediately and prior to any further damages can help save costs. Removing an oil tank may feel expensive upfront, but a leaked or damaged tank will be a lot more costly in the long run due to remediation and complications.

2. Complying with city bylaws

In addition to underground oil tanks being costly, it is also against your provincial and city regulations to keep an unused one.

Ontario regulations require you remove unused underground storage tanks as outlined by the Technical Standards & Safety Authority Act (TSSA).

3. Health and safety

Keeping an underground oil tank on your property can potentially impact the environment, which, in turn, can affect the individuals on the property and the surrounding area.

If the oil tank begins to erode or leak, this will harm the environment around the tank. The oil can quickly begin to contaminate the soil, water, and air as a result. Additionally, as previously mentioned, the contamination will substantially increase the cost of removal as it will require soil remediation.

4. Property value increases

When it comes time to say goodbye to your property and put it up for sale, the underground oil tank may make that process more difficult. While you might have managed to keep the underground oil tank, more and more potential buyers refuse to purchase properties with them.

It becomes a financial burden for future buyers and may bring down your property value by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Moreover, if there was a neglected leakage, as the seller you may get in trouble for negligence.

5. Preparing for renovation

Lastly, an underground oil tank may interrupt your plans for renovating your property. One issue is that the underground oil tank could hinder the construction work. Another, even larger, issue is that an underground oil tank can leak as far as to your building, effecting the price of the current work or ruining any renovation you may conduct.

Whether an issue arises before, during or after, an underground oil tank can cause some serious harm. It is important to remain proactive with your oil tank whether you want to keep it, inspect and maintain it regularly, or have it removed.

Why choose Waterline Environmental?

Waterline Environmental is Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA), PM2, and PM3 licensed. We provide quality and reliable commercial oil tank removal to ensure your satisfaction and safety.