Heating Your Home – Stop and Think First!
Winter is never far away. When summer seems like a distant memory, it’s time to start thinking about heating your home again. However, if you’re ready to start up your furnace, stop and think first.
Owners Of Older Properties Beware
Newly built homes have modern heating methods, but anyone living in an older property probably has an oil tank. Are you one of the many people who heat their homes with a furnace and oil tank? Then, there are a few things to bear in mind before you start your furnace up.
Many people who move into an older home don’t pay a second thought to their furnaces or oil tanks. This is because they aren’t aware of just how expensive a potential problem could be. If you’ve recently moved into an older home, you need to consider whether the tank has been checked for leaks.
Why Does Age Matter?
Many people are unaware that oil storage tanks do not last forever. Therefore, it might come as a surprise that the average oil tank only lasts for around 20 years. After that time has passed, the risk of corrosion and damage increases dramatically. If you have an aboveground oil tank, the lifespan is shorter. An aboveground tank lasts for only 10 years before requiring a professional check for leaks. This is because they are made from thinner materials that are more at risk of corrosion.
I Don’t See Any Damage. Surely, My Tank Is Fine?
Even if you can’t see any visible damage or corrosion on your tank, that doesn’t mean your tank is safe. Corrosion can be on the inside of the tank. This means that, although you can’t see it, corrosion could be slowly eating away at the tank. Eventually, the result will be oil leaks and spills.
Another element to be aware of is water in the tank. Your tank could have tiny holes in it that you cannot see during an inspection. Water can get through these holes and build up in your tank. If there is water in your tank when you start up your furnace, there could be a burner blowout. This is extremely expensive to fix. Therefore, it’s important to have a professional check of your tank to make sure it is safe.
What Could The Cost Be?
The worrying figures show that 9 out of 10 original tanks in 1960s’ properties have begun to fail. This means that if you live in an older home, your tank is at risk of leaking. If you fail to have checks carried out, a leak could go undetected. Should the ground around the tank then become contaminated with oil, the responsibility of paying for the remediation work is yours. You can well imagine that rectifying environmental damage caused by leaking oil is very high. Having a professional tank check carried out can give you peace of mind. You can have also peace of mind knowing there’s no danger of a leak and no additional expense for you.
Oil Fired Heating Is The Economical Choice
Having an oil tank and furnace may worry you. You may think it’s a bad idea. Nevertheless, you can have peace of mind knowing that this isn’t the case. Actually, burning oil for home heating is a cost-effective choice. The economic effectiveness, however, relies on regular checks and maintenance for the oil storage tank. By having professional testing for corrosion, leaks, and water ingress, you can save a lot of money as a homeowner.
If you’re living in an old property with an old tank, make sure to arrange professional checks. Our All American Environmental team carries out tests, removes tanks, and installs new ones to help save you money. Contact All American Environmental to learn more and get help with your oil tank.
