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OIL STORAGE TANKS

ABANDONING OIL TANKS
AFUE DEFINITION, RATINGS
AGE of OIL TANK
ANODES & DIP TUBES on WATER HEATERS

BIOGAS PRODUCTION & USE
BOILERS, HEATING
BURIED OIL TANK ADVICE
BURIED OIL TANKS, FINDING

COMBUSTION PRODUCTS & IAQ

DEFINITION of Heating & Cooling Terms
DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-BOILER
DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-FURNACE
DIRECT VENTS / SIDE WALL VENTS
DIRECTORY of OIL TANK EXPERTS

FILTERS, OIL on HEATING EQUIPMENT
FIRE SAFETY CONTROLS
FLAME COLOR, BLUE vs YELLOW COMBUSTION
FLOATING UP OIL STORAGE or SEPTIC TANKS
FLOODED HEATING EQUIPMENT REPAIR
FLOODED WATER HEATER REPAIR
FUEL OIL TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS
FUEL UNIT, HEATING OIL PUMPS

GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION
GAUGES ON HEATING EQUIPMENT

HEAT LOSS in BUILDINGS
HEAT TAPES, Heat, Insulation prevent Freeze-Up
HEATING COST FUEL & BTU Cost Table
HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS
HEATING OIL CLOUD WAX GEL POINT
HEATING OIL EXPOSURE HAZARDS, LIMITS
HEATING OIL - OLD, USEABLE?
HEATING OIL PIPING TROUBLES
HEATING OIL SLUDGE
HEATING OIL TANKS
HEATING OIL TYPES & PROPERTIES
HEATING OIL USAGE RATE
HEATING SYSTEM NOISES
HOME BUYERS GUIDE TO OIL TANKS
HOT WATER HEATERS

NO HEAT - BOILER
NO HEAT - FURNACE
NOISE CONTROL for HEATING SYSTEMS
NOISES COMING FROM WATER HEATER

ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE
ODORS FROM HEATING SYSTEMS
OIL BURNERS
OIL TANKS

SOOT on OIL FIRED HEATING EQUIPMENT
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS

WATER HEATERS

More Information

Photograph of Oil Tank Inspection Checklist - residential home heating oil tanks
     

  • Oil Tank Inspection Checklist for home owners and building inspectors
  • ABOVE GROUND OIL TANK INSPECTIONS
    • OIL TANK INSPECTION INDOORS
    • OIL FILL & VENT PIPING
    • OIL TANK SUPPORT
    • ABANDONED INDOORS
    • ABOVE GROUND OUTDOOR OIL TANKS
    • OIL TANK HISTORY REVIEW
    • OIL TANK CHECKLIST
  • Questions & Answers about how to perform a visual inspection of a home heating oil storage tank for leaks, piping problems, other troubles
  • References

Click to Show or Hide Related Topics

  • HEATING OIL TYPES & PROPERTIES - home
  • OIL BURNERS - home
  • OIL TANKS - home
  • OIL FILTERS on HEATING EQUIPMENT
  • OIL FILTER MISSING
  • OIL FUEL TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS
  • OIL LINE CLOGGING FIX
  • OIL LINE QUICK STOP VALVES
  • OIL LINE SAFETY VALVES
  • OIL ODORS, LEAKY OIL TANK PIPING
  • OIL PUMP FUEL UNIT
  • OIL SPILL CLEANUP / PREVENTION
  • OIL TANK ABANDONING PROCEDURE
  • OIL TANK AGE
  • OIL TANK, BURIED, ADVICE
  • OIL TANK, BURIED, FINDING
  • OIL TANK CODES & STANDARDS
  • OIL TANK FAILURE CAUSES
  • OIL TANK FAILURE RATES
  • OIL TANK FLOATING UP
  • OIL TANK GAUGES
  • OIL TANK INSPECTION, ABOVE GROUND
  • OIL TANK INSPECTION REPORTS
  • OIL TANK LEAKS & SMELLS - home
  • OIL TANK LEGAL ISSUES
  • OIL TANK LIFE
  • OIL TANK PIPING & PIPING DEFECTS - home
  • OIL TANK PRESSURE
  • OIL TANK REGULATIONS
  • OIL TANK REMOVAL COs
  • OIL TANK REMOVAL FINANCIAL AID
  • OIL TANK SAFETY
  • OIL TANK SLUDGE
  • OIL TANK SPILL CLEANUP / PREVENTION
  • OIL TANK STANDARDS
  • OIL TANK SUPPORT
  • OIL TANK TESTING
  • OIL TANK TESTING COs
  • OIL TANK WATER CONTAMINATION
  • OIL TANK WATER REMOVAL
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

A checklist for visual inspection of oil storage tanks. This heating oil storage tank inspection checklist was provided by an experienced oil heat distributor who also offers oil heat service and other plumbing services in New York's Hudson Valley area. Oil companies who sell and deliver oil to commercial and private residential oil storage tanks issue warnings to their clients about possible oil tank leakage and offer some advice. This information is quoted from an information sheet and "checklist" provided by a New York heating oil contractor. Readers should see OIL TANK INDOOR INSPECTION.

Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.

Buried or Above-Ground OIL TANK INSPECTION CHECKLIST

New oil tanks (C) Daniel Friedman Oil company service employees are using this checklist to perform a field check of residential heating oil tanks. The item(s) which the inspector feels are pertinent to the homeowner are simply circled, and the sheet is provided (in carbon copy form) to the homeowner.[Your attention is directed to item 5, in particular. It is possible that the chief function of this "inspection" is to attempt to reduce the liability of the oil company for future spills.

Note that at one installation, where two new oil tanks were installed and where there are no leaks, item 1 of the form below had *not* been marked.] Also see Visual Inspection of Above Ground Residential Heating Oil Storage Tanks - ASTs for photos and details of visibly detectable oil tank defects.

"In an effort to better serve our customers, we are telling you about the New York State Department of Environmental Law.

You, the customer, are legally responsible for your oil tank and connections.

An oil spill occurring because of an old and rotted tank, fill or vent pipes, could cause you a good deal of aggravation and possibly a great deal of money for a clean up.

Starting this year [ca 1995 or earlier-DJF.], in the course of our cleanings, we will inspect your fuel tank (for tanks which can be seen and gotten to) for any telltale signs of deterioration, and make our recommendation to you.

We highly suggest that you follow our recommendations!"

1. __ At this time the tank appears solid and leak free

2. __ Tank solid but showing signs of rust

3. __ Tank has extended rust and should be replaced

4. __ Tank is very rusted & pitted, metal getting thin. Should be replaced as soon as possible.

5.__ Tank is over 18 years, recommend replacement

6. __ You have an in ground tank between 10 and 18 years old, tank should be pressure tested. [Note: DJF disagrees. If you're going to test a tank, a soil test, which costs about the same as a pressure test, will be more definitive. A tank could have leaked previously, had piping repairs, and a leak could go undetected by pressure testing]

7. __ Your in ground tank has water in it. Tank should be pressure tested to find out why.

8. __ You have an in ground oil tank more than 18 years. Tank should be replaced with either an in ground fiberglass tank or a 275 gallon in house tank.

9. __ Pipe joint compound on fill or vent pipes dried out. Piping should be ���reworked.

10. __ Needs fill cap(s)

11. __ Fill piping pitched wrong way

12. __ Vent piping pitched wrong way

13. __ Vent too small

14. __ Vent plugged or improper venting

I _____________ have inspected the oil tank at this house and recommend the following
___________________(numbers from above entered here).

Comments:______________________________________________________

Age of tanks unknown __________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

I __________________________(homeowner name) residing at __________________

______________________________________________________________________

have read the above tank inspection report. The mechanic has explained his findings to me and made his recommendations to me.

Tank size_________________� Date____________

Location__________________��Signed___________________

(Thanks to Bob Juliano of Juliano Heating & Plumbing, Poughkeepsie, NY whose form is quoted.)


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  • 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.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson DunlopThe 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.

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