My "Around the House", Tip of the Day for Wednesday January 24, 2024:
A caller just asked about a concern when buying a home if there was, is, or may still have a buried... but disconnected oil tank in the ground. In the early part of last century it was very popular to bury oil tanks as they took up room, were unsightly, and sometimes smelled of oil. Typical tank sizes were 275, 550 and 1000 gallons. The 275 tanks were never rated to be buried, but many were. The older tanks were US made and lasted a long time. Newer imported ones, not so much. As more aged, some began to leak fouling septic systems, wells and ground water. Insurance companies freaked out in the 80's and 90's and stopped offering tank insurance. Homeowners when selling were and still are, urged to have the tank removed and replaced with an interior tank, or worse had them installed outside. These are affected by the weather and need additives to keep the oil viscosity thin in colder climates (adding to the expense). Also unless they are in a shed enclosure, an oil tank near the home just isn't a pretty look. Most tanks have an interior life of about 30 years and buried tanks are a mystery. Having a good home inspection will often figure out if there was or is a buried tank, and hiring a tank scanning company may reduce concerns if a tank still exists.
Have a great Day from "Around the House w/ Steve Gladstone" & Stonehollow Home Inspections & Environmental Testing.
