Author Topic: Oil Tank Sweep  (Read 1430 times)

sis

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Oil Tank Sweep
« on: August 01, 2016, 03:23:44 PM »
Hey Ladies and Gents,

What are your thoughts on getting an oil tank sweep done during a home inspection?

This property was built in 1975.  It currently uses gas.  Prior to construction the land was a park.  The owner claims that it has never used oil.  Is there a way to verify that without doing a tank sweep?  The owner is not the original owner.  The owner has never had an oil tank sweep done.

FWIW the sweep would cost $200.  OTOH if there is a tank, we can walk away.

Drifterrider

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Re: Oil Tank Sweep
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2016, 05:22:36 AM »
I assume you mean a buried oil tank.  Does it really matter where you live?

Do you have a friend with a metal detector?

sis

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Re: Oil Tank Sweep
« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2016, 08:47:02 AM »
I assume you mean a buried oil tank.  Does it really matter where you live?

Do you have a friend with a metal detector?

Yes, it matters a lot.  The cost of cleanup/remediation if there is one and it has leaked is very high and there have been many many remediations in the town we are looking at.

No friends with a metal detector.

ShoulderThingThatGoesUp

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Re: Oil Tank Sweep
« Reply #3 on: August 03, 2016, 08:51:24 AM »
For $200 I think it's worth doing given the risk.

sokoloff

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Re: Oil Tank Sweep
« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2016, 04:33:14 PM »
I would study the basement walls and floor for evidence that there was even an oil line penetrating them to feed the furnace.

If there's no evidence of that and natural gas service was available since 1975 in the area, I wouldn't worry about a buried tank.