Do Oil Tanks Need to Be Inspected?

Turns out, regular maintenance is important!

Anyone who lives in the Northeast probably takes great comfort in knowing that his or her heating oil tank is working properly and will be able to provide warmth and comfort all winter long. The best way to do this is will regular professional inspections and maintenance from a company like Rucci Oil.

Inspecting your heating oil tank

A heating oil tank inspection from a service technician should include a thorough check for any signs that a tank is on its way to needing to be replaced and upgraded.

These signs include:

• Fuel lines that are split
• Dents
• Rust
• Legs that are unstable
• Built up moisture and condensation on any of the tank’s surfaces
• Oil leaks on the floor near the tank

Homeowners can (and should!) keep an eye out for these signs as well. If you notice any of these signs, take action. Doing something about them can help you avoid a massive and costly issue down the road.

If you are questioning whether or not it’s time to replace your heating oil tank the experts at Rucci Oil can help you figure it out. We’ll conduct a thorough inspection of your equipment, walk through you house to figure out the best space possible to install a replacement, talk through your heating oil needs, figure out what size tank would be best for your home and give you some specific tank recommendations.

How long a heating oil tank will last

While replacing your heating oil tank can sound like a big undertaking, the good news is that you shouldn’t have to do it very often. Heating tanks generally last a long time and you can help ensure you will get the most out of them with regular inspections and maintenance.

Underground heating oil tanks typically last between about 15 and 20 years.

Aboveground heating oil tanks usually last between about 25 and 30 years – sometimes even longer!

Of course, these are just estimates. The number of years that a homeowner gets out of a heating oil tank varies and is impacted by:

• Leaky pipes
• The quality of a tank’s installation
• How often it’s been professionally serviced
• What kind of condition it was in when the home it is heating was purchased (if it wasn’t a brand new tank at that time)

How to determine what size heating oil tank you need

If you are adding a heating oil tank to your property for the first time or if you are upgrading your current tank, you will need to figure out what size tank will work best for you, your home and your family. Here are some factors to consider throughout this process:

• Where you are going to install the tank
• If you’ve recently added onto your home’s footprint in any way
• How easy it is to get heating oil deliveries from your fuel provider
• How many people are trying to keep warm and any special family needs that require any extra warmth

Heating oil services from Rucci Oil

Rucci Oil can provide heating oil tank maintenance, heating oil deliveries and heating oil tank replacements throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island and the Jersey City area.

Contact Rucci Oil today and let us know how we can help with your heating oil and tank needs.