Heating Oil Spill Cleanup, Remediation, & Prevention Guide for Homes & Light-Commercial Buildings
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Heating oil tank or piping leak or spill prevention recommendations
- Heating oil spill cleanup companies, resources, sources of oil spill cleanup and remediation supplies, companies, training, experts
- Oil tank leak testing procedures, companies
- Oil storage tank regulations pertaining to oil leak or oil spill reporting and cleanup
Questions & Answers about oil tank leaks, spills, and leak cleanup
References

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This article describes an approach to prevention of above ground or buried oil tank leaks or leaks anywher in the heating oil tank and piping and burner system. We include lists oil spill cleanup and prevention experts, supplies, training resources, regulations, and technical information. This oil tank leak and leak prevention article series answers nearly all questions about above ground or buried oil storage tanks including oil tank installation, abandonment, removal, leak testing, leak prevention, and regulations.

Heating Oil Leak & Spill Prevention Recommendations

Photograph of parts this leaking oil tank

Proper installation, inspection, & maintenance of heating oil storage tanks, piping, valves, & controls are the key measures that can prevent both small leaks that lead to heating system operating troubles (or loss of heat or dangerous puffbacks) and larger leaks that lead to costly oil spill cleanup jobs. Here are links to greater depths on the key topics that should be part of a residential or commercial oil leak & spill prevention program:

At OIL TANK FAILURE CAUSES we describe the common sources of oil tank damage, leaks, or water entry. We also have some data on OIL TANK FAILURE RATES.
OIL TANK INDOOR INSPECTION and also OIL TANK INSPECTION REPORTS contain suggestions for problems that can alert you to a problem with the oil tank that can contribute to leaks or equipment operating trouble. Above ground oil tanks can also be tested for corrosion, steel thickness (if it's a steel tank) and other defects. See OIL TANK LEAKS & SMELLS and and also OIL TANK TEST ADVICE.
BURIED OIL TANK ADVICE - proper installation of the oil tank, for purposes of spill or leak prevention means using the right kind of tank, locating it properly, avoiding damaging the oil tank during transport or installation, knowing soil conditions (soil chemistry can contribute to oil tank corrosion), and periodic tank inspections for water or other trouble signs. When there is a reason for extra concern, such as oil tank age, unknown condition, or discovery of loss of oil or water in oil, the tank should be tested. See OIL TANK TEST ADVICE.
OIL TANK PIPING & PIPING DEFECTS describes oil piping, controls, valves, and equipment inspection & maintenance: as we noted, small leaks mean heating equipment operating problems or even loss of heat while a larger leak means an expensive cleanup job. Oil line safety and fire safety valves include features that can prevent a leak of heating oil from the oil piping, fittings, & controls between the oil tank and the oil burner. See OIL LINE SAFETY VALVES.

OIL SPILL, Oil Tank LEAK CLEANUP - Oil Leak/Spill Cleanup Companies Listing

Indoor oil spills during tank fill or later from a leaky oil tank range from trivial local cleanup and deodorizing efforts to very serious contamination problems if an oil tank bursts during oil delivery (which we suspect is rare) and on occasions when an indoor oil tank has been removed but someone (some fool) has left the oil filler pipe installed on the building, and when subsequently an oil delivery is mistakenly made through the filler pipe onto the empty basement or crawl space floor.

This may sound crazy but it actually happens. At OIL TANK ABANDONING PROCEDURE we discuss steps a building owner should take to be darn sure that oil is not accidentally pumped into the building or into an abandoned oil tank.

Sketch courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates.

Outdoor and buried oil tank oil spills occur due to a variety of causes.

In-Tank corrosion of oil storage tanks: Underground fuel or heating oil storage tanks usually fail from rust perforation due to several effects of water inside the tank including, in the case of heating oil, combination of water with sulphur in the fuel, bacterial action, and other factors.

External rust on oil tanks, unless very heavy, isn't highly correlated with internal rust. Leaks can occur due to tank damage or at piping connections.

Oil Tanks in Corrosive Soils: Oil storage tank leaks are more likely if a steel tank has been buried in corrosive soil or if the tank was damaged during installation, such as gouging it or bouncing it off of a rock as it was placed into a hole for burying.

Oil Tank Piping Leaks: Oil tank leaks may occur at buried piping connections as well.

Delivery Oil Spills: occur around the tank fill pipe and range from trivial to more extensive requiring soil removal and cleaning. These leaks are usually obvious at the ground surface around the oil tank or tank filler.

Inadequate fill or vent pipe diameter is blamed by some for leaks at buried or above ground oil tanks, asserting that because oil tanks are filled under pressure from the oil delivery pumper-truck, a corroded, damaged, or poorly-plumbed oil storage tank, or one with a too-small vent opening, may not withstand the pressure of the filling process.

TESTING COs / REMOVAL COs - Oil Tank Testing, Removal, Consulting Environmental Service Companies

Heating Oil Spill Cleanup:

For details on cleaning up residential oil spills see OIL TANK LEAK CLEANUP GUIDE. Also see OIL TANK TESTING COs and OIL TANK REMOVAL COs and OIL TANK REMOVAL FINANCIAL AID links here or at Related Topics to see our most current list of companies providing oil tank testing or oil tank removal/abandonment services.

OIL TANK INDOOR INSPECTION - inspect oil tanks to notice and correct problems before a costly oil spill occurs in your building
BURIED OIL TANK ADVICE - recommendations for evaluating the condition of underground oil storage tanks, leak prevention, leak testing

Heating Oil Tank Testing or Removal

OIL TANK REMOVAL COs lists companies providing oil storage tank location, inspection, and testing for leaks and who also will perform oil tank abandonment in-place, or oil tank removal. Also see OIL TANK REMOVAL FINANCIAL AID
OIL TANK TESTING COs lists companies providing oil storage tank location, inspection, and testing for leaks

ATTORNEYS and EXPERT WITNESSES includes environmental experts
FLOATING UP OIL STORAGE or SEPTIC TANKS - a light-weight and nearly-empty buried oil tank may float up from underground during periods of flooding, tearing oil piping and causing an oil spill.
OIL, HEATING, EXPOSURE HAZARDS, LIMITS what are the health hazards from exposure to No.2 home heating oil (and automotive deisel fuel)?
- HEATING OIL EXPOSURE HAZARDS, LIMITS
- MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets - of specific interest to InspectAPedia readers

Oil Spill Secondary Containment and Oil Spill Remediation Products, Services, Advice, Training

Oil Spill Secondary Containment and Oil Spill Remediation
- Bioremediation resources on Internet
- Environmental and Information Resources, Inc. markets a low cost way of cleaning up petroleum hydrocarbon releases called bioremediation using naturally occurring soil microbes. EIR also performs biologically based cleanups of inorganic contamination such as heavy metals and radio nuclides using phytoremediation to uptake contamination from soil or groundwater.
- Spill-911 company provides oil spill containment and prevention supplies - 800-474-5911 - how to prevent oil tank leaks and oil spills from spreading by using secondary containment. Oil Spill Containment items provide storage, secondary containment, protection and response to minimize the impact of leaks and spills. Poly and Steel Drums, Containment Berms and Spill Containment Decks and Spill Pallets.
OIL TANK LEAK CLEANUP GUIDE - detailed cleanup advice for residential oil tank leaks and spills
OIL TANK FAILURE CAUSES and OIL TANK FAILURE RATES give insight into the risk of an oil tank leak or spill at your property. The rate or frequency of oil tank leaks or oil storage tank failures, focused on underground storage tanks or USTs, is discussed in detail at TANK FAILURE RATES provides Oil Tank Failure Data - Oil Tank Failure Rates - Oil Tank Leak Probability as a Function of Tank Age, Location, Condition, Soil Conditions and Other Factors. Also see OIL TANK LIFE their life expectancy and life factors and TANK FAILURE CAUSES discusses the causes of oil storage tank leaks in more detail.

Government Contacts U.S., for oil spil notification and advice - Contact the DEC/DEP/DNR office in your state.

Government Contacts U.S., for oil spil notification and advice - Contact the DEC/DEP/DNR office in your state.
- OIL TANK REGULATIONS - what are the oil spill or leak reporting requirements - variations by U.S. state & Canadian Province?
    OIL TANK LEAK REPORTING BASICS
    OIL TANK LEAK REPORTING REGULATIONS - ALL
    OIL TANK REGULATIONS - CANADA
    OIL TANK LEAK REPORTING in NEW JERSEY
    OIL TANK LEAK & SIZE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
    BULK STORAGE OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
  
  Other useful links:

DOE - U.S. Department of Energy
DOT - U.S. Department of Transportation
EPA - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FDA - U.S. Food and Drug Administration
FEMA - U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency
MSDS Search - Vermont SIRI
NIEHS - U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Standards
NIOSH - U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
OSHA - U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Listing submissions welcome, there is no listing fee. Contact Us . InspectAPedia ^® is an independent publisher of building, environmental, and forensic inspection, diagnosis, and repair information for the public - we have no business nor financial connection with any manufacturer or service provider discussed at our website.

Gulf Oil Spill Sent Crude Oil Fumes Ashore in Louisiana - Recommended articles on crude oil spill health risks

Workers in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico region during the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill were (and may still be) at risk from exertional heat stroke, and there can be short-term effects from fresh oil-spill fumes: affecting the eye, neurological system, and skin. Short term lung, kidney, and liver functions may be affected. Media reports and studies of oil spills do not address effects of long term or chronic exposure to crude oil spills, but sources indicate that as oil breaks down in water it becomes less toxic over time. - Reuters

OSHA's position and that of other expert sources such as the ATSDR is that modest typical residential exposure to heating oil fumes is a nuisance that may not pose a hazard to a healthy individual. Reuters reported that "Health and Human Services Department officials told a Congressional haring that little is known about the health impacts on people of oil spills." (Reuters, op cit. 6/23/10) We recommend monitoring results of "Assessing the Human Health Effects of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: An Institute of Medicine Workshop", June 22-23 2010. - Institute of Medicine.

While the long term environmental effects of crude oil spills such as the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill are not yet clear, more immediate complaints of oil fumes ashore in Louisiana have been reported. Local health officials in that state have warned people with respiratory illness, asthma, or similar conditions to avoid breathing oil fumes and to "stay indoors".

The oil and oil fume toxicity, safety and MSDS data below provides a summary of possible health concerns from short term, chronic, or long term exposure to refined oil spills such as No. 2 home heating oil. We include links to Material Data Safety Sheets for Crude Oil MSDS as well as home heating oil MSDS where we provide more health related details.

Recommended articles for readers interested in the effects of the gulf oil spill:

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY
FUEL OIL TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS
HEATING OIL EXPOSURE HAZARDS, LIMITS - Heating Oil Exposure Effects, Exposure Limits, Health Hazards
Exposure to Crude Oil or Heating Oil Combustion Gas, Soot, Flue Gases
Exposure to Crude Oil or Heating Oil Fumes
Exposure to Crude Oil or Heating Oil Liquid
Exposure to Crude Oil or Heating Oil - contaminated fish - eating oil-contaminated seafood
Material Safety Data Sheets for Crude Oil and Refined Heating Oil Products
- Heating Oil Exposure Health Effects - introduction and general health effects
- MSDS Sheet for HOME HEATING OIL - Material Safety Data Sheets for No. 2 Heating Oil
- Exposure Limits for Home Heating Oil - Exposure LImits for Oil Exposure
- MSDS Sheet for CRUDE OIL - exposure hazards, personal protection advice, accidental release guidance
- MSDS Sheets for Gulf Oil Spill Dispersant Corexit - toxicity and MSDS sheets for Corexit®, Dispersit®, and other oil spill dispersants
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE - distinguish between Gulf oil spill odors and other building odor sources
DIRECTORY OF PROFESSIONALS TO INSPECT OR TEST A BUILDING

Details about oil storage tank removal or abandonment methods are at OIL TANK ABANDONING PROCEDURE. A brief summary is below.

Details about oil storage tank rules, standards, guidelines, and regulations are at OIL TANK REGULATIONS A brief summary is below. Also see OIL TANK LEGAL ISSUES.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Questions & answers or comments about oil tank leaks and spills: Oil leaks and spills from residential and light commercial ASTs, USTs, oil tank life, oil tank regulations, leak testing, buried oil tank abandonment, oil tank removal, oil tank leak prevention, spill cleanup, oil piping, oil filters, oil tank regulations

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Mr. Cramer serves on the ASHI Home Inspection Standards. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
John Cranor is an ASHI member and a home inspector (The House Whisperer) is located in Glen Allen, VA 23060. He is also a contributor to InspectApedia.com in several technical areas such as plumbing and appliances (dryer vents). Contact Mr. Cranor at 804-747-7747 or by Email: johncranor@verizon.net
Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
- Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
  Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
OIL TANK ABANDONING PROCEDURE - Abandoning Oil Tanks - provides a detailed discussion of Abandoning Commercial vs. Residential Underground Oil Storage Tanks (UST) - Procedures & Regulations
OIL TANK REGULATIONS U.S. State and Federal environmental regulations regarding oil leak reporting, oil and other storage tank registration, oil tank abandonment, tank removal, tank testing, and other storage tanks, U.S. state regulations, and regulations in other countries are discussed in detail at this link where we also give contact information for various federal and state agencies.
NFPA - the National Fire Protection Association can be found online at www.nfpa.org

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd

Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, have provided us with (and we recommend) Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates' Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Technical Reference Guide purchased as a single order. Just enter INSPECTATRG in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
Leaky Heating Oil Tanks - Advice for Home Owners or Buyers: caused of leaks in oil tanks, oil tank testing alternatives, what to do about leaky tanks: D. J. Friedman, ASHI Tech. Journal, Vol.2 No.1, Winter, 1992 p. 42-43 Illus
Leak or Failure Rates for Home Heating Oil Tanks
Legal Issues Regarding Buried Oil Storage Tanks K. S. Rea, Attorney, summary from ASHI Chapter Seminar.
Primer on Petroleum Bulk Storage Tanks & Petroleum Contamination of Property Paul H. Ciminello, ASHI Tech. Journal, Vol.3 No.1 Spring 1993, p 35-39
Petroleum Bulk Storage J. Sibblies, NY State DEC, Advice to Home Owners and Home Inspectors about Oil Storage Tanks - summary from ASHI Chapter Seminar.
"How do you choose the right tank testing method?", Cynthia Johnson, Fuel Oil & Oil Heat Magazine, November 1995
National Association of Oil Heat Service Managers, PO Box 380, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
"Homeowners Guide to Fuel Storage," Agway Energy Products, Verbank, NY, November 1990
Web Link Exchange: Contact Us to list your website or contact information for oil tank testing, tank corrosion research, oil industry experts
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Heating Oil Spill Cleanup, Remediation, & Prevention Guide for Homes & Light-Commercial Buildings InspectAPedia® -