Top Signs It’s Time for an Oil Tank Replacement

Keeping a heating oil tank on the premises of your Cape Cod home is a great way to maintain a steady supply of clean, safe heating fuel. However, oil tanks aren’t constructed to last forever. The day will come when your oil tank has passed its intended lifespan, and it’s up to you to know when oil tank replacement is necessary.

But don’t worry — the heating oil experts at Hall Oil Gas and Electric won’t leave you to make the right call all on your own! Whether replacing an oil tank in your basement or outside your home, we’ve got you covered. Continue reading to learn about the top signs it is time for you to replace your heating oil tank. If you have noticed any of these signs, consult with us or your favorite HVAC contractor to determine your next steps.

How to Know When It’s Time for an Oil Tank Replacement:

• Visible Signs of Exterior Tank Damage

It’s a good idea to routinely inspect the exterior of your oil tank, provided the tank is located above-ground. Common signs of exterior oil tank damage include corrosion, a presence of rust, discoloration, or denting along the tank. If you notice any of these signs, it is very important that you seek oil tank replacement soon — if there is enough damage for it to be obvious on the outside, the inside is likely substantially worse. We recommend that you contact Hall Oil Gas and Electric or another heating oil supplier to get a second opinion. Heating contractors can give you a cost estimate for a fuel oil tank replacement, or if it’s salvageable.

• Exposure to Elements

If your oil tank is located outside your home, it is very important to make sure that no elements can get into the tank. For example, you don’t want snow or ice to make their way in. This can lead to potential damage inside the tank. One of the worst things that can happen to an oil tank is to be exposed to snowfall. Seriously, don’t let this happen. Even if you’ve recently installed the tank, it can be damaging enough to need to replace it again.

• Weak or Unstable Legs

The legs supporting your oil tank can often reflect the overall condition of the heating oil tank as a whole. If the legs have become weak or unstable, it is possible to replace the legs. But much of the time it’s better to simply replace the entire oil tank. As will be a common theme of this blog post, we recommend you get a professional opinion from an HVAC technician to determine the appropriate way to go.

• Damaged or Broken Oil Tank Components

Your oil tank incorporates a large number of important components. A broken fuel gauge or faulty oil tank vent alarm can mean a lot of trouble and can drastically reduce the safety of an otherwise very safe source of home heating. Remember, if the vent alarm on your oil tank is broken an oil delivery supplier will not fill the tank! If the tank cannot be filled, then you risk not being able to fill it and face a heating emergency. Make sure you don’t run out of heating oil from this issue during the height of winter on Cape Cod.

Now, the cost to replace an oil tank gauge can vary. It may not be worth it to replace these kinds of parts if the oil tank is old. Oil tank replacement companies can guide you during your decision to fix the existing unit or go with a replacement oil tank.

• Wet Spots and Other Signs of Leaking

Pinholes and minor cracks are often the first major signs that your oil tank has corroded from the inside. Signs of this can include:

• Wet spots around the oil tank
• Puddles of oil present near the oil tank, or along its piping
• A persistent odor of heating oil in or near your home (you should only notice this smell at the beginning of the year if your tank and oil furnace are in good condition!)

• Poor Oil Efficiency

Drops in heating oil efficiency are common when your tank is wearing down and getting old. This is often because the tank is losing oil, or there is an issue with your heating system. If you’re dealing with poor oil efficiency, contact a heating contractor like Hall Oil Gas and Electric for an assessment. It may be that simple heating maintenance or a tune-up of the oil tank can remedy the situation!

• Frequent Pipe Clogs

Oil tanks that are corroding or are not well insulated can lead to a massive amount of sludge buildup that can be hard to keep up with. In some cases, a cleanout may get the job done, but often oil tank replacement is also a good option.

• Unprotected Oil Lines

The oil lines that connect the heating oil tank with your furnace should be in good condition. If you ever notice any splits or cracks in that connection, then you need to have your heating oil tank serviced by an oil tank replacement technician right away. If the lines have cracked, that opens up the possibility that an oil leak will be next.

• Sheer Age

On average, a well-maintained heating oil tank should last around 10-15 years before it causes any trouble. Once the oil tank has hit this age, it’s time to start budgeting for a new heating oil tank installation. Talk to your local oil tank replacement professionals about your options —that’s us!

Hall Oil is Cape Cod’s #1 Oil Tank Replacement Company

With generations of experience and a focus on what’s best for our clients, we proudly provide top-class heating oil services on Cape Cod. We’ve been the go-to heating and cooling experts on Cape Cod since 1918. Whether you know you need to replace your heating oil tank, or you’re looking for trained professionals to help you make the right choice, count on Hall Oil to ensure the job gets done right.

In addition to oil tank removal and replacement, Hall Oil also provides service for many other types of heating products. Whether you need upgrades or repair of your furnace, boiler, water heater, ductless mini-split heat pump, air conditioning system, or generator, we can help! Plus, we provide heating equipment maintenance, natural gas conversions, 24-hour emergency service, and heating service plans.

Call (508) 398-3831, contact us online, or visit us at our South Dennis office to learn more about any of our heating services on Cape Cod!