Every man-made product has an expiration date, and storage fuel tanks are no exception. Underground and aboveground fuel tanks can leak, corrode, and wear out with age. It’s critical to know how to remove a fuel tank and more importantly when it is time to remove it.
Once you have identified the telltale signs (extensive rusting, leaking fuel, petroleum odors around the tank, stained concrete or soil, a hole due to rust), you should consult with qualified environmental companies in Florida to determine the best course of action.
How to Tell if Your Underground Fuel Tank is Leaking?
If the fuel storage tank is buried beneath the ground, it could be a long time before you realize that the tank has leaked. Clearly, a leaking fuel tank can be a serious health and environmental hazard, and it may be necessary to repair, remove, or replace it. Here are some signs that should tell you about the underground storage tank leakage:
- The fuel consumption is unusually high even when the weather is moderately cold
- Vegetation around the tank area is withering away
- Heated oil odor is emanating from the ground
- The odor, color, or taste of your well water has turned strange
- The soil in the tank area is darker than the nearby native soils
- The water below the tank has a noticeable oily rainbow sheen
- There are traces of water in the fuel lines
- There is staining in the area around the fill pipe
If the tank needs to be removed, an experienced fuel tank disposal specialist can guide you about how to remove old fuel from the tank and then get rid of the tank safely.
How to Tell if Your Aboveground Storage Tank has Corroded?
Your aboveground fuel storage tank will wear out with time due to natural corrosion and other factors. These tanks are often located in crawl spaces or basements where humidity and moisture levels are high, which will accelerate tank corrosion. If the storage tank is located in an open area, it will be exposed to the weather elements.
The stringent environmental regulations in recent years have ensured that the sulfur content in both diesel and heating oil is low. While this is good for the environment, it is bad for your tank. The bacteria have an opportunity to thrive in fuel tanks when sulfur content is low. These bacteria secrete corrosive compounds that will damage your storage tank from within.
If you notice that the rust on the bottom of your fuel tank is increasing, it suggests that the microbial activity within the tank is high, and your tank might be corroding from inside.
You should also be aware that nowadays manufacturers typically give a standard warranty for new aboveground storage tanks of only 10 years, which should be some indication of their average lifespan.
Speak to the Experts at EPAC Inc. for Your Fuel Tank Removal
If you sense any anomalies that leads you to question the state of your fuel tank, it is time to take preemptive action! Consult with the environmental specialists at EPAC Inc. in Florida to address your fuel tank removal requirements. For safety and regulatory reasons, this is not a do-it-yourself job.
For more information on EPAC services, or to schedule a fuel tank removal/inspection, you can call us at (954) 974 7055 or fill out a request through our web-form.