Why Sellers Should Remove Underground Oil Tanks Before Listing

An underground oil tank might have served its purpose well in decades past, but today it’s more of a liability than an asset. Here’s why removal is crucial before listing:

Environmental & Legal Concerns – Many older tanks are corroding, leaking oil into the soil, and creating contamination issues. Cleaning up an oil spill can cost tens of thousands of dollars—and sellers might be held responsible even after the home is sold.

Financing & Insurance Issues – Buyers often struggle to secure financing or homeowner’s insurance if a property has an underground oil tank. This limits your pool of potential buyers and prolongs time on the market.

Property Value & Marketability – Buyers today are well-informed and cautious. A home with an underground tank is a red flag that could scare off otherwise interested buyers. Removing it beforehand makes your property more attractive and eliminates negotiation headaches.

Preempting Inspection Issues – If a buyer’s inspection reveals an underground tank, they may demand testing, remediation, or outright removal—all at your expense. Handling it before listing puts sellers in control of costs and avoids last-minute surprises.

Why Buyer’s Agents Should Warn Clients Against Homes with Underground Oil Tanks

High Risk, High Cost – If the tank has leaked, the buyer becomes financially responsible for remediation—a cost that can climb into six figures. Even a “closed” tank may pose risks if proper documentation isn’t available.

Limited Insurance & Mortgage Options – Mortgage lenders and insurers often hesitate to approve properties with underground tanks. Many buyers find they’re locked out of financing or must pay higher premiums if they proceed.

Potential for Future Headaches – Even if the tank isn’t leaking now, it may eventually fail. The buyer might have to remove it themselves later, potentially dealing with soil testing, contamination cleanup, and regulatory red tape.

Don’t Assume Sellers Will Fix It – Some sellers may offer discounts instead of removing the tank, leaving the buyer to handle it later. But a discounted price rarely offsets the stress, liability, and remediation costs that could arise.

Final Takeaway

For sellers, removing an underground oil tank before listing increases buyer confidence, avoids financing delays, and eliminates potential legal issues. For buyers, purchasing a home with an underground tank poses too many risks, uncertainties, and financial burdens.

Realtors and buyer’s agents alike should advocate for full removal and documentation before any sale. Protecting your clients means addressing these risks early, ensuring smooth transactions, and preventing costly surprises down the road.

The Hidden Risk Beneath: Why Underground Heating Oil Tanks Should Be Removed Before Listing a Home

Attention Realtors & Buyer’s Agents: Selling or purchasing a home is more than just curb appeal and square footage—it’s also about mitigating risks that could cost thousands down the line. One of the most overlooked hazards? Underground heating oil tanks.

Why Sellers Should Remove Underground Oil Tanks Before Listing

An underground oil tank might have served its purpose well in decades past, but today it’s more of a liability than an asset. Here’s why removal is crucial before listing:

Environmental & Legal Concerns – Many older tanks are corroding, leaking oil into the soil, and creating contamination issues. Cleaning up an oil spill can cost tens of thousands of dollars—and sellers might be held responsible even after the home is sold.

Financing & Insurance Issues – Buyers often struggle to secure financing or homeowner’s insurance if a property has an underground oil tank. This limits your pool of potential buyers and prolongs time on the market.

Property Value & Marketability – Buyers today are well-informed and cautious. A home with an underground tank is a red flag that could scare off otherwise interested buyers. Removing it beforehand makes your property more attractive and eliminates negotiation headaches.

Preempting Inspection Issues – If a buyer’s inspection reveals an underground tank, they may demand testing, remediation, or outright removal—all at your expense. Handling it before listing puts sellers in control of costs and avoids last-minute surprises.

Why Buyer’s Agents Should Warn Clients Against Homes with Underground Oil Tanks

High Risk, High Cost – If the tank has leaked, the buyer becomes financially responsible for remediation—a cost that can climb into six figures. Even a “closed” tank may pose risks if proper documentation isn’t available.

Limited Insurance & Mortgage Options – Mortgage lenders and insurers often hesitate to approve properties with underground tanks. Many buyers find they’re locked out of financing or must pay higher premiums if they proceed.

Potential for Future Headaches – Even if the tank isn’t leaking now, it may eventually fail. The buyer might have to remove it themselves later, potentially dealing with soil testing, contamination cleanup, and regulatory red tape.

Don’t Assume Sellers Will Fix It – Some sellers may offer discounts instead of removing the tank, leaving the buyer to handle it later. But a discounted price rarely offsets the stress, liability, and remediation costs that could arise.

Final Takeaway

For sellers, removing an underground oil tank before listing increases buyer confidence, avoids financing delays, and eliminates potential legal issues. For buyers, purchasing a home with an underground tank poses too many risks, uncertainties, and financial burdens.

Realtors and buyer’s agents alike should advocate for full removal and documentation before any sale. Protecting your clients means addressing these risks early, ensuring smooth transactions, and preventing costly surprises down the road.

Attention Realtors & Buyer’s Agents: Selling or purchasing a home is more than just curb appeal and square footage—it’s also about mitigating risks that could cost thousands down the line. One of the most overlooked hazards? Underground heating oil tanks.

Why Sellers Should Remove Underground Oil Tanks Before Listing

An underground oil tank might have served its purpose well in decades past, but today it’s more of a liability than an asset. Here’s why removal is crucial before listing:

Environmental & Legal Concerns – Many older tanks are corroding, leaking oil into the soil, and creating contamination issues. Cleaning up an oil spill can cost tens of thousands of dollars—and sellers might be held responsible even after the home is sold.

Financing & Insurance Issues – Buyers often struggle to secure financing or homeowner’s insurance if a property has an underground oil tank. This limits your pool of potential buyers and prolongs time on the market.

Property Value & Marketability – Buyers today are well-informed and cautious. A home with an underground tank is a red flag that could scare off otherwise interested buyers. Removing it beforehand makes your property more attractive and eliminates negotiation headaches.

Preempting Inspection Issues – If a buyer’s inspection reveals an underground tank, they may demand testing, remediation, or outright removal—all at your expense. Handling it before listing puts sellers in control of costs and avoids last-minute surprises.

Why Buyer’s Agents Should Warn Clients Against Homes with Underground Oil Tanks

High Risk, High Cost – If the tank has leaked, the buyer becomes financially responsible for remediation—a cost that can climb into six figures. Even a “closed” tank may pose risks if proper documentation isn’t available.

Limited Insurance & Mortgage Options – Mortgage lenders and insurers often hesitate to approve properties with underground tanks. Many buyers find they’re locked out of financing or must pay higher premiums if they proceed.

Potential for Future Headaches – Even if the tank isn’t leaking now, it may eventually fail. The buyer might have to remove it themselves later, potentially dealing with soil testing, contamination cleanup, and regulatory red tape.

Don’t Assume Sellers Will Fix It – Some sellers may offer discounts instead of removing the tank, leaving the buyer to handle it later. But a discounted price rarely offsets the stress, liability, and remediation costs that could arise.

Final Takeaway

For sellers, removing an underground oil tank before listing increases buyer confidence, avoids financing delays, and eliminates potential legal issues. For buyers, purchasing a home with an underground tank poses too many risks, uncertainties, and financial burdens.

Realtors and buyer’s agents alike should advocate for full removal and documentation before any sale. Protecting your clients means addressing these risks early, ensuring smooth transactions, and preventing costly surprises down the road.

The post The Hidden Risk Beneath: Why Underground Heating Oil Tanks Should Be Removed Before Listing a Home appeared first on Barrier Contracting.

Why Replace Your Underground Oil Tank?

Underground heating oil tanks, while once a popular choice, can pose significant risks as they age. Corrosion and leaks can lead to soil and groundwater contamination, especially as tanks age. This can result in impacts to the environment but can also result in costly cleanup efforts. By opting for underground heating oil tank removal and installing an above ground oil tank, you can mitigate these risks and protect your property.

The Benefits of Aboveground Oil Tanks

Aboveground oil tanks offer several advantages over their underground counterparts:

1. Easier Maintenance: Aboveground tanks are more accessible, making it easier to perform regular inspections and maintenance.
2. Reduced Environmental Risk: With aboveground tanks, leaks are more easily detected and addressed, reducing the risk of environmental contamination.
3. Cost-Effective: By installing an aboveground tank can be more cost-effective in the long run. It eliminates the need for expensive underground repairs, cleanups and testing.

The Replacement Process

Barrier Contracting handles the entire process of heating oil tank replacement. From underground oil tank removal to aboveground oil tank installation. This includes necessary municipal permits and inspections. Here’s how it works:

1. Assessment and Planning: Our team will assess your property and determine the best location for the new aboveground tank. Most importantly, we also handle all necessary permits and inspections to ensure compliance with local regulations.
2. Underground Oil Tank Removal: Using specialized equipment, we safely and efficiently remove the old underground tank, collect a soil sample and backfill. Our experienced professionals follow industry best practices to minimize disruption to your property.
3. Aboveground Oil Tank Installation: Simultaneously while the old tank is being removed, we install the new aboveground tank in the designated location. New aboveground heating oil tanks include protected copper oil supply line, overfill vent alarm, fill pipe and easy to read oil tank gauge. Our team ensures that the installation is secure and meets all safety standards.
4. Final Inspection and Testing: After installation, we conduct a thorough inspection along with the municipal building (or Fire) inspector to ensure the new tank is functioning properly, safely and according to code.

Trust Barrier Contracting for Your Oil Tank Needs

At Barrier Contracting, we pride ourselves on providing top-notch services for heating oil tank removal and replacement.

Replacing your underground oil tank with an aboveground tank is a smart investment in the safety and longevity of your property. Contact Barrier Contracting today to learn more about our comprehensive oil tank services and schedule a consultation.

The post Replacing Your Underground Oil Tank with an Aboveground Oil Tank in Westchester and Putnam County, NY appeared first on Barrier Contracting.

Residential Homes, as well as Commercial Facilities, can use heating oil as a heat source. The heating oil is stored in oil tanks. Oil tanks above the ground or underground. The storage size of heating oil tanks vary 275, 330,400 are the most common aboveground tanks. While 550 and1000 gallon tanks are the most common underground oil tanks. Commercial and industrial applications can store up to 16,000 gallons. Due to safety concerns and government regulations most oil tank installation and removal requires a licensed professional and permits from the local building department. In Yorktown, the village requires a permit and inspection when a licensed contractor installs or removes an underground home heating oil tank

Not only does Barrier provide professional underground home heating oil tank removal in Yorktown (and installation) we service all of Westchester and Putnam County. Whether it is installing a code compliant above ground oil storage tanks, or removing an old underground oil tanks.

This complex process is the reason why you should hire only the experts who know the safety precautions and necessary process for the project.  It most cases the proper paper work is the most important part. Without collecting and analyzing the surrounding soils, a future buyer or building department may require more work.

If you are thinking about replacing, removing or installing an oil tank, call us for a free estimate. You just need to tell us your location with the zip code and our expert team will connect you to help you will all tank related needs.

Benefits to Removing Underground Heating Oil Storage Tanks-

• Underground oil tanks were generally designed to last 30 years. Over time underground tanks corrode, corrosion leads to holes which can result in a petroleum release. This is both bad for the environment and can be costly to remediate.
• When replaced with an above ground oil tank, the quality of the tank is easy to monitor. Monthly visual inspections can prevent leaks and spills.
• Removing underground tanks is the best way to confirm no contamination exists.
• In the real estate market, buyers prefer, if not demand that underground tanks be removed or the surrounding soils sampled.
• Some home owners insurance companies will not provide coverage to homes with underground heating oil tanks in Westchester and Putnam.
• The risks associated with underground oil tanks are great. It’s not if it will leak, it’s when. Removing your oil tank before it leaks can save you thousands of dollars

Why choose Barrier for your underground heating oil tank removal in  Yorktown?

1. We file and obtain all the required permits at no additional cost.
2. We meet with inspectors and provide closure documents to close permits.
3. We collect soil samples in accordance to the NYSDEC regulations .
4. We provide clean backfill and ensure compaction.
5. We recycle the steel tank and tank waste at licensed facilities.
6. We provide upfront pricing, communicate and try to offer a great customer experience.

So, whether your project is related to an Underground Storage Tank (UST) or an Above Ground Storage Tank (AST), we have got you covered. Our expert team removes and installs oil tanks with the utmost care. Our prices are competitive, our work is quality and our services are available for all residential, industrial or commercial clients. Just call us and book your appointment for best Tank Removal Service in Yorktown.

The post Underground Home Heating Oil Tank Removal Yorktown NY appeared first on Barrier Contracting.

Above Ground Oil Tanks require very little maintenance. However, it is very important to inspect your tank periodically

The key benefit of an aboveground heating oil tank is the ability to monitor and inspect it. If you have an aboveground tank, you should visually inspect it at least twice a year. While it may seem complicated to inspect your tank, it is  quite simple.  Proper maintenance can increase the life span of the tank and prevent premature failures. If at any time you see corrosion, staining or wet spots, call a professional. Below is a guide for homeowners to properly maintain and inspect aboveground heating oil tanks:

• Visual inspections should include.
  • Inspect the tank’s surface for signs of rust of corrosion
  • Make sure the vent and fill pipes are in good condition
    • The fill pipe should have a 2inch diameter, The vent should be the same but can be slightly smaller
  • Inspect the area where the pipes meets the tank for staining (oil staining by the pipes thread are signs the tank may have been overfilled causing the pipe glue to fail over time)
  • Inspect under the tank for signs drips or staining.
  • Check tank legs to make sure they are sturdy.
    • All four tank legs should be in good condition, straight and sitting flat on a cement foundation or floor. A tank should always be installed on a solid base such as a cement floor or cement pad. Not paving stones or cinder blocks.
• Maintaining the tank’s exterior surface. If you observe rust or corrosion :
  1. Gently brush the rusted areas on the tank’s exterior with sandpaper;
  2. Clean the sanded surface
  3. Applying a coat of rust proof metallic paint (readily available at any hardware store). If needed, Barrier Contracting can provide paint.
• Maintaining the tank’s exterior surface is a good practice and the
  application of touch-up paint will not void the warranty of the tank
• Maintain the tank liquid level as high as possible during the summer months in order to limit water condensation within the tank.

If you have a service plan or oil burner maintenance program, you can ask the technician to look at the tank as well. If

Most bare steel oil tanks come with a 10 year limited manufactures warranty. These tanks are mostly designed for indoor use however some contractors install them outdoors. If the tank is a light cream color with an epoxy coating or double bottom the warranty can be for  20-25 years.

If your tank is old or showing signs of corrosion it is a good idea to replace it with a new aboveground oil tank.

The post How to Maintain and Inspect Your Above Ground Heating Oil Tank appeared first on Barrier Contracting.

    While most removals are done by excavator, we offer hand oil tank removal, which can minimize impact to landscaping. Our specialists are experienced and knowledgeable about the industry’s best practices, and provide excellent service every time. Trust Barrier Contracting for all your needs, from fuel oil storage tank installation to oil tank removal.

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Underground heating oil tank removal by hand in Westchester County

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The post Oil Tank Removal in Westchester and Putnam appeared first on Barrier Contracting.