Underground Oil Tanks: A NJ Homeowners Complete Guide

29 Aug
in Oil Tanks

If you are a new property owner in New Jersey, do you know the regulations concerning underground oil tanks? If you do not, you will need to learn them. That’s because there are laws all property owners must follow for oil tanks buried underground. Here are the guidelines on underground heating oil tank regulations you should follow if you are an NJ Homeowner.

What Is an Underground Oil Tank?

Old gas stations and other businesses have underground oil tanks. However, the majority of underground oil tanks in New Jersey are at homes and farms. Before 1980, many homes in the Northeast had underground oil tanks. That’s because a lot of homeowners used oil to warm their homes in the winter. From the 1940s through the 1970s, these tanks were the norm. Builders would put the tanks in the ground, and trucks would come to service them when the oil got low.

However, times have changed. These days, houses that still use home heating oil have aboveground tanks. Also, many homes in the Northeast now have central heating and air systems. They get their heat from natural gas rather than home heating oil.

Why Are Underground Oil Tanks a Problem?

The state of New Jersey considers underground oil tanks a problem. That’s because when these tanks are old, they may begin to rupture or leak. Over the last 40 years, those leaks from buried oil tanks have caused damage to the environment. Leakage from underground oil tanks can contaminate the groundwater, as well as the land. Over time, people can become sick from contaminated air, groundwater, and soil. People can suffer from respiratory distress, skin problems, and other health issues related to underground oil tanks.

New Jersey Regulations

Do you suspect that you might have an underground oil tank? There are some warning signs you can look out for. First, are there pipes sticking out of the ground by your basement or at the end of your driveway? If yes, you may have an underground tank. You might also notice pipes in your basement that don’t seem to lead to anything. Is your house more than 30 years old, and you don’t have an aboveground storage tank? If the answer is yes, then you probably have an underground tank. You might also notice discolored areas in your yard or detect the smell of gas. These are all signs you may have a tank under your ground.

New Jersey has laws regulating underground oil tanks. These laws have been on the books for more than 30 years. New Jersey also proposed changes to the laws last year.

Here are the regulations. First, if you are selling or buying a property, you need to have an underground oil tank sweep done. There are companies in the state that will come to the house to conduct a sweep.

If there has been a sweep done on the property, the property owner will have received a certificate. This is something that New Jersey law requires. If the homeowner does not have a certificate, you can request that the homeowner do a sweep. The homeowner is responsible for having one done. If a sweep discovers there is a tank on the property, a licensed company can remove it.

Are you an NJ Homeowner and are you worried that you have an underground oil tank on your property? Well, you can stop worrying. Contact All American Environmental. We will be able to conduct a sweep on your property. In many cases, a sweep can put your mind at ease. So, why not give us a call today?