Should I have underground storage tank testing or removal?

Our experience has shown that it’s best to have the tank removed from the ground completely. Underground storage tank testing involves the risk of future problems since testing has shown not to be 100% accurate. Underground storage tank testing may pass your tank today but that’s not a guarantee that it won’t leak oil into the ground after the test. Due to the age of most underground tanks, it’s unavoidable that they will eventually rot through. When that happens, it will cause an expensive cleanup cost to you as the homeowner. You can avoid this liability by simply removing the tank from the ground and installing a new above ground tank in your basement or back yard if needed for heat.

What about soil sampling taken in the location of the tank?

We receive many requests for soil sampling to be taken around the perimeter of an underground storage tank.

Tank Solutions can complete this with soil testing results being issued within five business days after the soil sampling event. You may have the option of having four soil samples taken from the four corners of the top of the tank (approximately 8 feet in depth) and submit all four samples to a licensed laboratory, or submit one composite of all four soil samples. However, you must keep in mind that soil sampling cannot be collected beneath of the base of the tank and does not guarantee that you do not have a leaking oil tank.

Should I remove or sand fill my tank?

If possible, you should always have us remove your tank. With the tank out of the ground, it will give you peace of mind. If you choose to leave the tank in the ground, filling it with sand, it may present problems in the future. Many previously filled tanks are now being removed due to requests from buyers and/or buyer's attorneys, insurance renewals and refinancing of the home. As a homeowner, you’ve already paid once to have the tank closed and the last thing you want to do is deal with it again. With the tank on the property, it will always be seen as an environmental liability by others.

I’m thinking of selling my house. What should I do with my underground oil storage tank?

If you are thinking about selling your house, you should remove your tank prior to placing your home on the market. Buyers and their attorneys always worry about buying someone else's preexisting problems. Removing your underground storage tank beforehand will help expedite the selling process and save you money in legal costs during contract negotiations and attorney review.

With the tank off the property, your new buyer will have no problems receiving homeowners insurance or a mortgage. As an alternate source of heat, we can install an above ground ROTH tank (www.roth-usa.com) in your basement or backyard which comes with a million dollar insurance policy and a lifetime warranty. That is a great selling point for you house.

What if underground storage tank testing finds holes in my tank?

Depending on the age of your home, it may happen that underground storage tank testing will find holes in your tank. That requires immediate tank removal and soil testing. Upon removal of your tank from the ground, a township official from your town will come to your property and inspect the tank and excavation area. He’ll inspect for holes in your tank, stained soils, soils with an odor, or any free floating product. If he sees any one of those four issues, he will fail the inspection of the tank. Tank Solutions will then be required to contact the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to receive a case number and then we must report this number to the township official.

How do I close out an open case with the NJDEP? Soil Testing? Cleanup?

In order to close out an open case with the NJDEP, you need to hire a licensed NJDEP environmental contractor, such as Tank Solutions, to return to the property for thorough soil testing and cleanup of your site. Tank Solutions, together with its subsurface investigator (geologist), are both licensed with the NJDEP.

The geologist will direct this cleanup project and conduct thorough soil testing, including screening the excavated soils with an organic vapor meter (OVM). The OVM allows the geologist to make an informed decision regarding excavating of soils. Soil sampling from the clean site will be submitted to a licensed laboratory for analysis and this soil sampling event must meet the cleanup criteria of the NJDEP. Thereafter, a Remedial Action Report together with all documentation will be submitted to the state for review. After review and acceptance of the report, a No Further Action letter will be issued closing out your open case.

What methods of payment do you except?

We accept checks, cash, money orders, Visa, MasterCard and Discovery credit cards.