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.

What is the need to remove Heating Oil Storage Tanks?

Due to corrosion, all steel oil tanks will fail at some point. Above ground tanks are easier to monitor and inspect. Periodic visual inspections will help prevent a leak (Aboveground Oil Tank Inspection Guide). Since underground tanks cannot be visually inspected it is impossible to know the quality of the tank. Most tanks were made to last between 25 and 30 years, but conditions of the surrounding soils can deteriorate tanks faster. Replacing an oil tank before it fails will prevent expensive costs associating with the remediation process.

Details About Home Heating Oil Underground Storage Tanks

Residential heating oil tanks are usually 550-1080 gallons, when underground. Above ground oil tanks are usually 275-330 gallon tanks. The tanks consist of single wall steel.  Steel is a metal that will corrode over time, corrosion rate can be increased when in contact with moisture, cement, rock and other elements.

When oil tanks are removed or installed it is important to use trained professionals to ensure the work is performed safely and properly, and most importantly, with the proper municipal permits. We work in all villages, towns and cities in Westchester and Putnam County.

How does the process work in Cortlandt Manor, NY?

The process starts with filing building permits with the town of Cortlandt Manor. The town regulates villages, such as,  Montrose, Buchanan, Croton and Verplank. After the permit has been acquired the work will be scheduled and coordinated with the inspector from the Town of Cortlandt.  Once the tank is removed a soil sample is collected and analyzed by a laboratory.  The hole is then backfilled, if no contamination is present.

How will the property look after the whole process?

Our professional tank removal service in Cortlandt Manor, make it sure that the property is restored to as best as possible.  Sometime some tracks are left but all that is needed is some grass seed. Any shrubs and bushes are removed and put back with care, but we recommend a landscaper remove the shrubs prior to work.

Barrier Contracting has trained professionals to help guide you through the process of Underground heating oil tank removal Cortlandt Manor. We are available 24*7 and just a call away from you. Contact us to get your oil tank removed at Affordable Cost Today!

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Removing Out of Service Oil Tanks

An out of service heating oil tank, above or underground, can corrode over the years. The average life span of a tank is 25-30 years, depending on the make and model.  Corrosion can form pinholes causing the remaining oil to leak out. This is a slow process and can go unnoticed.  In fact when an underground oil tank leaks there is almost no way of knowing, grass and other landscaping is rarely impacted due to the depth of oil leaking from the bottom of the tank (most contamination is found 6-8 feet below ground), These leaks can result in costly clean ups. Removing heating oil tanks prior to a leak will save you thousands of dollars.

Replacing Oil Tanks Currently in use

For the many people who still rely on oil heat to heat their home, it may be time to replace your tank. If you have an underground oil tank, it is likely original to when the house was built or started using oil.  If you currently own the home but don’t know the history of the oil tank, your local building department may have records on file.  If you can’t find anything, assume your tank is old and should be replaced. Most commonly people install oil tanks above ground or convert to an alternative heat source like natural gas, electric or geo thermal.

If you have an above ground tank it could be a replacement of a previous underground tank. You should periodically inspect the tank for corrosion or signs of a leak. Replacing an above ground tank with a new one is a fairly simple process, for trained professionals.

Remediating a Leaky Tank in Westchester County

Remember, if any of the leakages occur, it will impact the soil, and potentially groundwater. If the tank is above ground, and goes unnoticed, the oil can leak onto the floor, then soak though and into the soil below. After all, even a cement floor is permeable.  If the heating oil tank is below ground, the oil can saturate the surrounding soil and potential the ground water. In any case, anything impacted by the heating oil will need to be remediated to meet the guideline of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).  In some cases, homeowner’s insurance policies may cover some of the cost. The fear of a costly clean up should not prevent you from taking action. The longer a leak continues the higher the costs can be.

In Westchester (and Putnam) County, people have been removing old oil tank by hiring skilled professionals. It is important to make sure your contractor has the necessary permits, knowledge and licenses to perform any work regarding and oil tank.

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BUYERS-

Buyers should protect themselves from purchasing a property that may have an unidentified underground oil tank. They also should determine if, when and how previous tanks were removed, abandoned or decommissioned. Underground heating oil tanks can fail to cause oil to leak into the surrounding soils, requiring costly cleanups.

SELLERS-

As a seller, you should understand that buyers, real estate agents, attorneys, and lenders are concerned about the risks associated with the underground oil tanks. Even the homeowners insurance companies can be reluctant to insure a house which has an underground oil tank or missing paperwork regarding the proper removal.

5 Tips For Buyers And Sellers:

-Acquire paperwork regarding the removal or decommission (including permits, manifests and soil samples)

-Call local the local municipality to determine if permits were required or obtained

-If no paperwork exists, scan the property for possible underground oil tanks using ground penetrating radar and locate any underground oil tanks

-If a tank was removed and no soil samples were collected collect soil or ground water samples (7-9feet below grade)

-Using certified laboratory analyze soil or groundwater for petroleum compounds

Sometimes buyers are comfortable with buying a house with an oil tank if it passes tank tests. This is becoming more uncommon in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland County. Many other areas replace underground tanks with above ground heating oil tanks prior to selling a home.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is one of the most accurate tools used in determining if underground heating oil tanks exist at a property. Another technology is Electromagnetic Detection (ED). We at Barrier Contracting uses both of these technologies to identify and locate any previous and in use underground heating oil tanks or associated piping.

So, Just call us to locate Underground Oil tank in your property.

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Whether you are buying or selling a house, it is important to know if the oil tank has or is leaking. If removal is not an option we recommend testing the oil tank and the soils around it to see if there are any petroleum compounds found in the soil.

Another type of test is a tank test. One of the most common misconceptions about oil tank testing is that is done with pressure. In fact, the opposite is done. When a tester performs a tank test he puts your tank under 3 pounds of vacuum and places a microphone in your tank. The down side is there are many reasons a tank can FAIL a tank test.

Sometimes the 3 pounds isn’t enough to pull air through holes in the bottom of leaky tanks and other times the tank may fail due to a piping issue. For more information.

We advise our clients; buyers, sellers and home owners to replace the underground storage tank with an above ground heating oil tank. Especially when it is an older tank. At least you will have a new tank afterwards.

Using Greoprobe equipment we can advannce soil borings around the oil tank. This is called a subsurface investigation or tank assessment. This investigation tests the soil and/or water around your oil tank. It allows you to know whether the soil/water around the tank has been impacted.

In the end, any single wall underground home heating oil tank should be replaced with an above ground oil tank. Even if the tank passes a tank test or subsurface analysis.

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Many homes and businesses have oil heat that require oil tanks for storage. These tanks can either be found above- or below-ground. While either system is certainly efficient, we have found that above ground tanks pose significant advantages. Oil tanks need to be monitored on a regular basis, and when they are underground, it’s extremely difficult to keep an eye on them. Homes and businesses that have underground tanks aren’t out of luck, however – they can be removed and placed above-ground, which is where we come in!At Barrier Contracting, we provide underground oil tank removal for homes and businesses. We bring our excavator machine to your location and remove the tank safely and efficiently. Oil tank removal by hand can be extremely dangerous if not done properly.  We only recommend this for sensitive areas such as under patios, behind retaining walls or when the location in not accessible by machine. 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.

The cost to remove underground storage tanks depends on a variety of factors and must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Our cost-effective solutions are perfect for all of our new and existing clients. Don’t be afraid of any hidden costs. We stand by our pricing and break down each expense to help you understand exactly what you’re paying for. To learn more about our services and get a quote, contact us today by phone or email at (914) 760-2089, (914) 760-2090 or at waynejr@barrier.com.

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