Rural home heating systems and properties not connected to municipal utilities rely on heating fuel like heating oil. Stored in large tanks on the property, they will eventually need replacing. Above-ground metal tanks tend to last 25 to 30 years and in-ground tanks 15 to 20 years. A fiberglass or plastic tank may last 50 years or more, depending on whether it’s a single or double-walled tank. When it’s time to replace your unit, you may weigh the options of attempting to replace it yourself versus hiring a professional. We will explore why hiring a professional is the better option.
Removing the Old Tank
One of the first challenges to replacing your home’s oil tank is removing the old tank. Fuel oil is considered a hazardous material, so the tank is also regarded as hazardous once it has housed fuel oil. Most in-ground oil tanks are removed and replaced when they start leaking, so special attention must be given to mitigate environmental contamination.
Connecticut requires homeowners to pull a permit for removing a tank and the person performing the removal to be registered as a Connecticut Home Improvement Contractor. If remediation is needed for leaked oil, a contractor with a hazardous waste license from the Department of Environmental Protection must perform this task. Also, if the tank has leaked, you must notify the local fire marshal, who must be on site for the removal and soil sampling. Working with a properly licensed contractor reduces your liability during the replacement process because they know how to effectively coordinate the work of everyone who must take part in the process.
Regulatory Compliance
Beyond removal regulations, a regulatory code governs both above-ground and in-ground heating oil tanks. If you have an above-ground tank, Connecticut code requires it to be protected from weather and physical damage in a location such as a basement or shed. Above-ground tanks have a maximum capacity of 660 gallons. There are also special regulations about the kind of piping used to run from the tank to the HVAC system, the fill pipes’ method of collecting spills from the delivery truck, and more.
Difference Between Buried and Aboveground Tanks
Aboveground oil tanks are more noticeable when they are installed outside. However, they can also be installed in a basement, a shed, or a barn. In-ground oil tanks require excavation to remove and replace them. Aboveground tanks are generally easier to install, inspect, and maintain. However, in-ground tanks are less exposed to the elements and generally experience less temperature variation, depending on their depth.
In Connecticut, the minimum depth for the top of the tank is 12 inches, which is still shallow enough to experience freezing. However, buried tanks are less exposed to winds and other environmental variables that could cause damage.
Cold Weather Damage
Cold weather can cause issues with waxing and gelling. Waxing is the process by which the wax components in fuel oil start crystalizing and is the first issue caused by cold weather. Gelling is the more advanced stage where there are enough wax crystals to start forming a gel or sludge that can clog fuel lines and create problems with emptying the tank when you want to remove it. Professional installation can help prevent waxing and gelling. However, professional removal is also critically important when dealing with fuel oil that has started one of those processes.
Fuel Lines and Fittings
Additional components also need replacing when you replace a residential fuel oil tank. Many DIYers will look at some of these and see if they can keep what’s already there to help reduce the replacement cost. The fuel lines that serve the tank are some of those components. These lines are typically made of metals like copper, brass, or steel and may deteriorate over time. You may be able to keep the current lines and fittings for now, but chances are you’ll need new lines before you need another tank replacement. Replacing the lines and fittings when you replace the tank reduces the overall costs, especially if you have a buried fuel oil tank since you’ll already be excavating the area to remove the old tank and install the new one.
Installing Proper Safety Features
You also need to ensure you have the proper safety features installed and working properly. This starts with adequate primary and emergency vents, a proper fuel gauge, overfill protection, and secondary containment in the event of a spill. There’s also a vent alarm, a special kind of whistle that lets the fuel oil delivery driver know when the tank is full.
Soil Contamination Issues
When replacing an old fuel oil tank, you must be concerned about potential soil contamination. A DIY installer may not know the signs to look for that signal possible contamination. This is why Connecticut law requires special certification from the Department of Environmental Protection and a local fire marshal to witness removal and soil sampling.
Easier Home Sale
Presale inspections are a headache when selling a home, but they offer some safety to buyers and sellers. An inspector will determine whether the fuel oil tank and system meet the current code regulations. When you have your system professionally replaced, you know it’s going to meet code at the time of installation. Leaving this job to professional contractors minimizes the chance of unpleasant surprises during the sales process.
Specialty Equipment
When replacing a residential fuel oil tank, you’ll need specialty equipment that would drive up the costs for the average DIYer. If you have a buried residential fuel tank, you’ll need an excavator and the ability to run it. You’ll also need a pump to drain the fuel from the tank, along with storage tanks or barrels to put the fuel in. Somewhere in the process, you’ll need a filter to run the fuel oil through to remove any contaminants like wax crystals or rust particles. Fuel lines also require specialty tools to disconnect them. Finally, you’ll need some piece of equipment to lift the old tank during removal and then lift the new tank into place.
Insurance Considerations
Finally, consider your homeowner’s insurance and the implications of attempting to replace your fuel oil tank on your own. Installing the fuel oil tank yourself may not invalidate your homeowner’s insurance directly. However, if there’s a loss related to your fuel oil, you could be left to pay the entire bill if the insurance adjuster deems that the installation didn’t meet the current code.
For more than 150 years, F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has been the home service provider of choice for property owners in and around Cheshire, CT. Our team provides residential fuel oil delivery and oil tank replacement, heating and cooling installation, maintenance, and repair. Our residential electrical services include installation, repair, electrical panel installation and upgrades, lighting, and EV charger installation. When it comes to residential plumbing, our services include repair, drain cleaning, water treatment, and water heater services. We perform home energy audits, duct sealing, insulation installation, roofing services, solar system installation, maintenance and repair, and indoor air quality services.
Call our team at F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to schedule a consultation with one of our oil tank experts to get a quote for replacing your home’s aboveground or buried fuel tank.
