How to Check Heating Oil Tank for Leaks:

On a bright, dry day take a look at your tank:

• Look on the ground under and around the tank for oil stains. Look under the bottom of the tank as oil leaks often occur in the lower belly of the tank.
• Look at or run your finger along the tank joinings as oil may leak here.
• Smell the area around the oil tank.
• Take into consideration the age of your tank. If it's 10+ years old, it's time to upgrade.
• Is your tank single skin or bunded (double skin)? Contact your local County Council, insurer, architect and builder to confirm that you are permitted/covered to use a single skin oil storage tank on your property.
• Consider the location of your oil tank. It will be prone to weather erosion if it's open to the elements including rain, frost and sunshine.R
• Remove ivy and creeper plants from around the oil tank. It might look nice but it is not safe.
• If you have a buried tank, please contact your local Glen Fuels depot for advice on the best specialist to hire to check the tank's integrity.

Check the Heating Oil Tank Regularly:

Checking the heating oil tank is one of the most important jobs we should do each year as a homeowner, tenant or landlord. We must never assume that it's in perfect working order as it is prone to wear and tear and to weather corrosion.

If your heating oil tank bursts, cracks or leaks it will cause damage to human health, buildings and/or the environment.

• An oil leak can occur due to weather corrosion ot old age.
• An oil leak can happen slowly over a period of time or very suddenly.
• An oil leak can result in far-reaching damage that extends beyond the boundaries of your premises.

How to Clean Up a Domestic Heating Oil Tank Leak:

Click here to find out what to do if there is a leak in your heating oil tank.