06/03/2024
Oil Tank Inspections: Everything You Need to Know
Oil tank inspections are detrimental to the longevity and effectiveness of your oil tank. Annual inspection services ensure future problems are discovered before they cause any safety issues or financial losses through oil spillage. This blog will take you through what happens during an oil tank inspection to help you get the most out of your service.
Why do I need an oil tank inspection?
Oil tank inspections are crucial to identifying issues, or potential issues, early on. An oil leak, even from a small tank, can be a costly and hazardous issue. Regular inspection of fuel and oil tanks can help minimise the risk of such incidents.
In case of an oil spill, you may face hefty fines and cleanup costs. Moreover, you will have to bear the cost of replacing the lost oil from the tank.
Environmental costs, however, can be far more damaging to your bank account, with contamination of water sources and loss of wildlife; this is why regularly inspecting your oil tank is crucial.
Most home insurance doesn’t cover damage to your oil tank or spillages or leakages as a result. However, if you have any type of insurance that does cover your oil tank, you must get inspections at least once a month by certified technicians to ensure it remains valid.
The majority of oil tanks also come with warranties of up to 12 years. These warranties cover defects in materials and workmanship and leaks caused by corrosion. To help your claim, make sure it is supported by regular inspections.
How often should I get an oil tank inspection?
It is recommended that you should have an oil tank inspection at least once a year. Consider what point in the year you might want to book your inspection; scheduling an inspection for the end of summer means that you can catch any issues that may occur due to hot weather and prepare yourself effectively for the winter when you will be using your tank the most. Getting an inspection at this time of the year also means avoiding heavy fees and long waiting lists due to the off-peak season.
If you have moved into a property with a heating oil tank, it is important to have it inspected by a professional, even if the previous inspection was recent. Scheduling an early inspection may help identify any issues left by the previous owner before you want to start using the tank.
Who can carry out an Inspection?
Oil tank inspections must be carried out by certified professionals, such as OFTEC technicians.
In 2002, the British government introduced the competent person scheme for various building trades, including heating. This means that your oil tank must be installed, inspected, and regulated by a certified technician to ensure the longevity and safety of your tank.
OFTEC started offering a competent persons scheme for businesses and technicians approved to install and maintain oil heating equipment. OFTEC technicians ensure that all regulations are met, and the quality of the inspections is the highest within the industry.
All technicians at Oil Tank Change are OFTEC Certified.
What do technicians look for during an inspection?
Oil tank technicians will do various checks during their inspections and follow OFTEC examination procedures to ensure no areas are missed. It is essential that not only the physical condition of the tank but also its fixtures, base, and surrounding areas are checked.
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General Condition
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Compliance with Rules and Regulations
- Size and bunding.
- Distance to house, bushes, fences and other exterior buildings.
- Bases; height, material.
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Physical Damage
- Cracks
- Splits
- Bulges
- Rust
- Corrosion
- Holes
- Dents
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Pipelines
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Surrounding Area
- Wet patches around on the floor
- The smell of fuel or oil
- Blackening of grass or plants around the area
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Signs of Water Damage
Inspections will always consist of checking the general condition of the tank, including the functionality of any gauges. Gauges display the level of oil in your tank, and can also be connected to alarms. Technicians can check the gauge and alarm to ensure they are working properly and will alert you as necessary.
Vents and filters will also be checked by your technician; both need to be clear of any dirt or debris to ensure your oil remains clean and, therefore can operate your appliances to the highest capacity.
If your oil tank includes a bund or second skin, this will also need to be checked. The purpose of a bund is to hold oil in case of a spillage; checking the effectiveness of your tank bund can give you peace of mind that a spillage would be contained in the case of an oil tank emergency.
Inspections are also a chance for the technician to confirm if your oil tank still complies with any rules or regulations, as they can sometimes change throughout the year. This check is also important if you have recently moved into a property with an existing oil tank, as the previous owners may not have followed all restrictions carefully. The technician may check things such as:
It is also likely that a technician will do an inspection of the Control of Pollution to assess the possible damage to the environment that a leak could cause and advise any updates.
During an inspection, your technician will do a survey for any physical damage to your oil tank. Physical abnormalities can be a sign of bigger issues within your tank or often lead to more damaging issues if left untreated. Technicians will therefore search for any of the following:
You can also check your oil tank before your inspection and identify any concerns you may have to let your technician know.
During your inspection, the technician will also need to examine fixtures, valves and pipelines attached to the tank. Pipe connections should be checked at the appliance and oil tank, ensuring they are free of debris and oil is flowing through properly. External pipes are easy to check as they are usually attached to permanent structures. If your tank has directly buried pipelines, it is more difficult to identify any issue with them. Checking the surrounding area and monitoring oil usage through your gauge will help you identify if there is an issue with your underground pipes.
Physical damage might not be obvious to start with, so it is essential to check the surrounding area for signs that your oil tank could be leaking.
It is important for your oil tank technician to take a look at your tank to check for any signs of water damage or contamination. During summer, the increase in temperature can cause condensation build up inside your tank – having an inspection at the end of this season can help to identify this issue and fix it before contamination occurs. Water damage can also occur from cracks, splits, rust or corrosion.
Conclusion
Understanding what goes on during an oil tank inspection is a great way to ensure you are getting the most out of your service. When you are ready to book your oil tank inspection contact us to schedule an appointment, or ask for more information by calling 01638 781710
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