Protect Your Oil Tank During the Winter
If your oil storage tank is located outside your house and aboveground, its exposure to the elements could lead to damage. While utilizing enclosures are a great way to prevent this damage, it’s not always the case.
Here are a few safety precautions you can take to keep your tank in good shape through the winter:
Remove Snow: Anytime a snowfall ends, use a broom to brush all sitting snow off of the surface of the tank to prevent water from melting snow from getting into your tank.
Remove Overhanging Icicles: If you spot any icicles that could potentially fall onto your oil storage tank, remove them from wherever they’re hanging. It only takes on icicle hitting your oil tank to damage the unit.
Clear a Maintenance Pathway: In case you need to call for maintenance, be sure to clear a path of snow and ice to ensure easy and safe access to the tank.
Inspect for Damage: Check for signs of cracking, denting or other damage that may have occurred over time. If you know or suspect damage, call Tomasso Bros. Energy for immediate assistance!
While you’re inspecting your tank for damage, it’s important to know what you’re looking for!
Here are a few specific things to look out for during your DIY tank inspection:
- Rust and Dents – Corrosion and dent marks indicate something is wrong with how the tank is operating.
- Wet Spots – The presence of wet spots, either underneath the tank or on its surface, is an indicator of trouble.
- Unstable Legs – In many cases, problems with an oil tank will be the result of faulty installation. If the legs are uneven, the tank would have trouble functioning at its full capacity.
- Faulty Vent Alarm – A vent alarm prevents overfilling and spillage. If it’s malfunctioning, it can lead to a messy and expensive situation if not immediately serviced.
- Oil Runs – If stray oil is present anywhere near the tank, particularly around the gauge or the ground underneath, you probably have a leak.
- Unprotected Oil Lines – If the rubber tubing that protects the lines that carry oil between the tank and the furnace is split or cracked at any points, call Tomasso Bros. right away.
If you have any concerns about the integrity of your oil storage tank, please don’t hesitate to contact us or give us a call at 908-351-0313. We’ll help you figure out the best course of action. And, as New Jersey’s oil tank removal and installation experts, we can take care of the rest for you as well.
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