Oil Tank Removal
Quick & safe removal of underground storage tanks.
Serving New Jersey homeowners since 2006.
Underground oil tanks, common for heating New Jersey homes, pose both financial risks and health risks to you and your family. RENOVA offers a turnkey oil tank removal program. We manage the full process for you from beginning to end.
How RENOVA’s Clean Path® Program handles it all for you:
Why choose RENOVA?
- Have the full process expertly managed for you by an oil tank removal NJ specialist
- Have all your phone calls and emails answered promptly.
- Have your oil tank removal project quoted at a competitive rate.
- Have your oil tank removal completed promptly and courteously.
- Renova also performs oil tank locating services via magnetometer scan (aka “oil tank sweep”). Then, in accordance with the NJDEP and uniform construction code (UCC) standards as applied to oil tank removal NJ projects, which requires oil tank removal companies to be licensed and certified for UST Closure, we will safely complete your oil tank removal.
- Oil tank removals in NJ can be a complicated process, but RENOVA has the expertise to make the process simpler for you. We understand that oil tanks are not all the same, but we have seen it all, as we have experience removing underground oil tanks and above ground oil tanks, from sizes such as 275, 550 and 1000 gallons, regardless of the location on your property.
“The team you sent out today was excellent. They were punctual, courteous, and extremely professional. Scott & Jim answered all my questions and were very knowledgeable. Thank you for everything!”
-Monika Shanks Springfield, NJ Homeowner
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Do I have to remove my oil tank?
No. Although the law does not require you to remove your oil tank, you’ll want to make it appealing to a potential buyer to fetch the highest price. Most buyers will be turned off by an underground tank, since it’s common knowledge that leaking oil tanks pose a risk. Also, the buyer would also have a difficult time securing an insurance policy and a mortgage on a house with an underground oil tank.
Why do oil tanks leak?
Rust never sleeps! Steel deteriorates over time and contact with soil and water can speed up the deterioration process. If a tank is consistently exposed to water, such as groundwater or rainwater from a downspout, the tank is more likely to develop holes. The Steel Tank Institute performed a study which found that after approximately 17 years, the likelihood of a tank leaking increases significantly.
How do I know if an oil tank is leaking?
Signs that your oil tank is leaking can include getting water in your furnace, observing oil in your basement sump pump, or needing more frequent oil deliveries due to product loss. Another sign of a leaking tank is the presence of oil or oil staining in the soils surrounding the tank area. Unfortunately, many leaking tanks do not show any obvious signs of leakage until they are removed from the ground and the soils directly below the tank can be assessed.
How can I tell if I have an underground oil tank and where it is located?
There are a few ways to determine if there is an underground oil tank on the property. Underground oil tanks on residential properties are used for heating oil storage, so if your home does not use electric (baseboard), natural gas service, or propane for interior heating, there is probably an underground heating oil tank on the property. To locate the oil tank, first walk around the property and observe if there are fill or vent pipes present outside in the grass or along the building. If no exterior fill or vent pipes are identified, next check inside the residence. If there are two copper lines coming through the foundation of the house connected to the interior boiler or heating system, there’s likely an oil tank on the property. Either way, if you want to find out if you have an underground oil tank or if you want to determine where the tank is located, the easiest way is to do a tank scan of the property with an industrial-scale metal detector. This process is referred to as an “oil tank sweep,” a “magnetometer scan,” or a “magscan.”
Is a site visit necessary to obtain a quote?
Not usually. Renova will ask general questions during the initial call, which is typically adequate to provide you with a quote. Only in certain circumstances is a site visit necessary for quotes. Prior to the tank removal, a Renova representative will visit the property to confirm logistics for your scheduled tank removal.
Real Estate Transactions
Should I remove an oil tank before selling my house?
Yes. If you are trying to sell a property with an oil tank, Renova strongly recommends removing your oil tank before putting your house on the market. Doing so will help you fetch the highest price and will avoid delays in your real estate closing. It’s in your best interest to proactively have the oil tank removed and it is certainly less stressful!
Should I buy a house that has an oil tank?
If there is an oil tank present at a property that you are looking to buy, you should know that most homeowners insurance companies will not grant coverage for a property with an underground oil tank and, in turn, it will be difficult to get a mortgage.
Can I pay for my remediation (clean-up) out of the real estate closing?
Yes. Once the costs are understood, Renova will accept payment out of the closing.
Tank Removals
How long does it take to remove an oil tank?
It varies. Once the required municipal permit is issued, which can take up to one month (20 business days) to get, Renova schedules the job for the next available date. Almost all oil tank removals take one (1) day to complete.
Are permits from the State required to do an oil tank removal
No. The State does not get involved unless and until there is a confirmed discharge.
Can you describe the actual tank removal process?
We’re glad you asked! When using Renova for oil tank closure, first the tank’s location is confirmed using any combination of: information from the homeowner, documentation from previous oil tank maintenance or environmental companies, observation of oil tank piping, NJDEP and OPRA records, or results of a “tank sweep” or “magscan” service.
With our field crew onsite, the soil overlying the tank is removed with an excavator and stockpiled on plastic sheeting. The tank is exposed and the contents are cleared for the safe cutting with a reciprocating saw. The contents of the tank are then pumped out using a vacuum truck and the interior of the oil tank will be wiped clean with oil absorbent pads. Finally, the tank is ready to be plucked from the ground with the excavator. Following tank removal, the soils surrounding the tank are inspected and samples collected if needed. The excavation is backfilled to grade and we recycle the tank and the tank content.
Can I just remove an oil tank by myself?
No. Not only is it unsafe, the NJDEP requires that any oil tank removal in NJ must be performed by a certified contractor.
What about sand or foam-filled tanks? Are they a non-issue?
Unfortunately, no. Just because a tank has been filled, does not mean that the soil underneath the tank is free from contamination. The only way to tell for sure is to collect soil samples from underneath the tank. Unless these samples are on file, the tank poses a risk that should be addressed. A potential buyer will be reluctant to assume the risk here, so they’ll probably insist on having it removed. When removal is an option, just remember: out of sight is out of mind.
What if my oil tank is in an area that’s hard to reach with any sort of large machinery?
If the underground oil tank is not accessible for an excavator, the tank can be removed by hand or, alternatively, abandoned-in-place in accordance with NJDEP regulations. This process requires the collection of soil samples from underneath the tank to confirm there’s been no discharge of oil. Renova then provides a documented closure report, which includes soil sample results. This should satisfy most buyers.
I have oil heat. Will I lose my heat during the oil tank removal process?
No. If you haven’t converted to natural gas and you’re staying with oil, we can install an aboveground oil tank before removing your underground oil tank, so there will be no interruption of heat.
Oil Tank Cleanup/Remediation
Do you offer fixed price remediations (cleanp-ups)?
Yes. Renova is very confident at understanding cleanup costs and we can issue fixed price remediation proposals. Beware of shady companies that offer fixed price cleanups without taking soil borings, because they’re very likely to take leave contamination in the ground which could come back to haunt you.
What should I do if my oil tank is leaking?
If your oil tank is leaking, it’s best to remove the tank as soon as possible to prevent the problem from getting worse. We approach each job in the most efficient way possible, and each job is slightly different than the next. This means that, in some cases, we might recommend doing a small cleanup on the day of the tank removal. Often times, however, it is better to get an accurate cost for the cleanup by having soil borings completed.
Is there financial assistance for remediations (clean-ups)?
Yes. Renova can assist you with filing a claim against your homeowner’s insurance policy. Renova can also assist you with filing a grant application to the NJDEP Underground Storage Tank (UST) Fund, either before or after you’ve paid for your cleanup.