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How to Measure the Amount of Water Contamination in an Oil Storage Tank

Detect & measure the amount of water contamination in an oil tank:

This article explains how to test for the presence of water in oil tanks, and how to measure the level of water that has accumulated in an oil tank.

We describe the use of water finding pastes and where to buy those test materials and we suggest some simple do-it-yourself methods for checking for water contamination in heating oil or in the oil tank.

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How to Measure the Level of Water Contamination in an Oil Tank

Oil storage tanks would ideally be tested for water accumulation at every oil delivery, but as that simply is not going to happen, you should ask your oil company to assess the amount of water in the oil tank at least once a year by using one of the methods discussed below.

A simple method that can be used on oil storage tanks whose fill pipe is located directly above the tank is to insert a dipstick into the oil tank after coating the dipstick end with a water-finding paste. (photo at left).

A similar test for oil tanks whose piping does not permit use of a dipstick makes use of a string and weight and water finding paste.

Where to Buy Oil Tank Water Finding Paste or Water Indicating Pastes

Other Methods for Detecting Water Contamination in a Heating Oil Tank

Ask your oil company service technician to check the oil filter for evidence of water or rust, or if you've had heat outages ask if water in the oil could be a contributor or cause.

This article series explains the problems caused by water accumulation in oil tanks, how water gets into the oil tank, how to measure water in the oil tank, how to remove water from oil storage tanks regardless of whether the oil tank is indoors, outdoors above ground, or buried, and how to prevent water from getting into an oil storage tank.

We explain how to test for or visually check for water in a buried or above-ground oil storage tank, and how to get water out of an oil tank. Extensive free un-biased oil storage tank inspection and testing advice for property buyers and owners is provided at this website.

This website provides detailed information about underground (buried) oil storage tanks (USTs), aboveground oil storage tanks (ASTs), above ground fuel storage tanks, reporting and cleaning up oil tank leaks, and choosing among oil tank leak testing methods.

Aboveground Oil Storage Tank Water Contamination Articles


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Continue reading at OIL TANK WATER PREVENTION or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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OIL TANK WATER DETECTION at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to HEATING OIL, OIL BURNERS, OIL FIRED HEATERS, OIL TANKS

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