Residential Oil Tank Upgrade
This project shows the steps required to replace a 275-gallon steel tank with two 130-gallon tanks. Smaller tanks are used instead of a similar 275-gallon tank to accommodate work space restrictions that were not present at the time of the original tank's installation.
The crew starts the job by removing the vent and fill pipes, then pumps the oil from the existing tank into a temporary holding tank. Once the oil is gone, a hole is cut in the side of the tank to access the inside for sediment removal. The clean tank is then cut in half and carried out of the basement in separate pieces.
The new tanks are brought into the basement and fitted with thermal switches before being positioned for installation. Once the tanks are level and secured to the floor, double-wall copper lines are installed to connect the tank system to the burner. An oil filter and a tiger loop are installed to ensure a reliable flow of clean fuel. The tanks are now ready for the old fuel to be pumped back in.
Dan Hoag has worked in the environmental and tank storage industry for 16 years. Dan’s range of expertise includes designing systems for oil spill clean-ups, treating soil contamination through "in situ" oxidation and testing, and inspecting underground storage tank systems. As head of Marketing and Information Technologies at CommTank, Dan draws from field experience to write about fuel, water and chemical storage technologies, and the regulations that affect them. He has developed training courses in home inspection, underground storage tank operator, ultrasonic thickness and tank tightness testing. Over the past decade, Dan has published over 60 articles about industry trends and has documented commercial, residential, and environmental projects through illustration, videos, and photography. When Dan unplugs from technology, he spends his time backyard farming, hiking, and kayaking, while masquerading as a hockey player during the wee hours of the morning.