Why Remove An Underground Oil Tank?
In the process of inspecting homes, there are certain oft-repeated questions from homeowners. One of them is: “Why do we have to remove our underground oil tank?”. Well, in fact you don’t have to, there is no law that says you must do this before selling your house. Even though it is not a legally mandated procedure, you should still do it. The reason for this is that you probably won’t sell the house so easily unless you do. Often in older homes, when the owners converted from oil heat to gas heat, the oil tank remained buried in the ground. The passage of time and moisture in the ground can degrade the tank and cause it to rust and let oil seep out into the ground. This can be an environmental problem that is expensive to fix, and therefore is a very good reason for buried oil tank testing done by a professional such as Aurora Home Inspections.
How Do I Know If I Have A Buried Oil Tank Problem?
Aurora Home Inspections can sweep for an underground oil tank during a Home Inspection. Some oil tanks are above ground, but the underground ones require a “sweep” to determine their location and condition. This allows a homeowner to know if there has been an oil tank buried on the property and if it should be removed. That abandoned underground oil tank could mean the difference between selling your house or not. Aurora Home Inspections does not remove oil tanks from the ground, we test for a buried tank and then recommend how to proceed in its removal. Depending upon the condition of the buried tank, removal may not be necessary.
Obviously, if the home you are selling is still being heated with oil, the oil tank is needed and this becomes an issue in the negotiation of the sale of the house.
Call the Professionals for an Oil Tank Sweep
If you are preparing to sell your house, an oil tank sweep is a prudent choice. There may be a buried tank that you aren’t aware of. Knowing about the underground oil tank’s existence gives you the ability to decide how to proceed in dealing with it. Before putting your house on the market call Aurora Home Inspections for an oil tank sweep. Our team is qualified for oil tank testing. We want New Jersey homeowners to have all the information regarding the condition of their house before putting it on the market. This helps make sure that they will get the best price for their home. We can be reached at (201) 476-9200 for home inspection services including an oil tank test.