Written on: March 25, 2024
Everyone wants their heating oil tank to last as long as possible. Well, here’s an easy way to protect your tank and in the process extend its life: don’t leave your tank with little fuel in it during the warm weather months. You should keep your tank at least half full (preferably more) during the off-season. Here’s why.
Water condensation can form in the empty space in your tank. And condensation is more common during the summer. Hot, humid days and cool nights create the right atmosphere for condensation buildup to accelerate inside your tank. And if your tank is aboveground, outdoors and in an unshaded area, it’s especially prone to condensation.
After water forms on the bare walls of the empty area of the tank, it drips down and sinks to the bottom. This is because water is denser than heating oil. There it becomes an ideal environment for bacteria and other microorganisms. Over time, these turn into sediment that can create problems with your oil tank. One problem is that sediment, also known as sludge, can get into your fuel lines and clog them up. This causes your heating system to shut down.
The same condensation that results in sludge can also corrode your tank from the inside out—a big problem that you wouldn’t know about, and which would be costly to remediate.
If you need your heating oil tank replaced, you can reach out to Westmore Fuel with confidence. We have eight decades of experience installing heating oil tanks for homes and businesses in New York and Connecticut. Our installation crews work quickly and efficiently, and always show respect for your property.
The same Westmore Fuel crews can remove your existing aboveground or underground tank. We will then replace it with a new storage unit, in the same or a different location. As with any of our installation services, we will clean up the area before we consider the job fully completed.
For underground tanks, we use a backhoe for installations and removals. We will coordinate with you in advance to make sure we have access to the heating oil tank installation location and that the area is free of obstructions. Once the heating oil tank is installed and the backhoe is off your property, we manicure the area to return it to its normal state.
Today’s heating oil storage tanks are light-years ahead of old models, because they are virtually leakproof and have features that include:
We will help you make your choice based on your historic fuel usage, the installation location terrain and any municipal or commercial regulations in your area.
Once your tank is installed, you can rest easy: Westmore Fuel provides reliable heating oil deliveries and offers service plan coverage that includes 24/7 emergency service.
The heating oil tanks we install are strong and well made. However, since they are exposed to the elements or to underground moisture, it’s a good idea to have a Westmore Fuel expert inspect your oil tank at least once a year. This inspection is particularly important once your tank is five or more years old or is in a very exposed location.
In between, here are some things you can check yourself on your aboveground heating oil tank. Look for:
If you notice any of these signs, let us know so we can evaluate your tank and make a recommendation.
A secure supply, ultra clean-burning B20 Bioheat Plus fuel and a superior service department are among the attributes that make Westmore Fuel stand out. Contact us today for heating fuel and equipment service in Stamford, CT and many other communities in Connecticut and New York.