Here’s a list of the top questions often asked by home owners.
Q: Why should I have my tank removed?
Prior to the 1970s homes in British Columbia were often heated with furnace oil kept in tanks buried on the property. When the switch to natural gas was made, many of these tanks were capped and filled with sand. Unfortunately, over time, oil tanks can corrode and leak oil and sludge, contaminating ground water and soil. Homeowners can be held liable for this contamination, as well as for the contamination of any surrounding properties and for future environmental contamination cleanup costs.
The presence of an oil tank may also reduce a homeowner’s property values. Many home buyers require oil tank removal as part of the sale of the house. Insurance companies will not insure a property that still has an oil tank buried on it.
Q: Why have Capital City Tank Services do it?
According to the Environmental Management Act of BC homeowners have a legal obligation to follow good engineering practices in the removal of an oil tank from their property. The tank must be located, the oil removed and the empty tank taken to an approved recycling or disposal facility. The site must be inspected for contamination and, if contamination is present, soil and water must be properly remediated.
The entire process must be documented and the homeowner furnished with a report so they can verify the removal has been completed in compliance with government regulations. For this reason it is important to have an experienced, accredited company like Capital City Tank Services remove your oil tank.
Q: How do we remove the tank?
It can take from 1-2 days to remove an oil tank from your property, depending on where the tank is buried. We will secure all necessary permits, search for the tank using metal detectors or ground penetrating radar scans, excavate to locate the tank and check it for leaks before removing it. If there has been contamination of the soil we will remove the soil from the area, dispose of it at an approved facility and replace it with clean soil.
If your oil tank is still in use, you should check it for leaks when it is refilled. If leaks are detected, you should call Capital City Tank Services immediately.
Q: How much does it cost to remove a regular above ground oil tank
Prices range from about $150-$200