Oil Tank Summer Care: Three Things You Can Do

Heating oil tanks aren’t complicated, but they still do need some attention if you want them to last and perform reliably year after year. What can you do to keep your oil storage tank working well heading into next heating season? Here are three things.

Heating Oil Tank Off-season To-Do List

1. Inspect it yourself – Look for obvious problem signs. For example:
   • Check tank legs and leg brackets to make sure they are not missing, buckled, bent, or separating from the tank.
   • Check the tank platform for cracks and deformities.
   • Look for any signs of rust.
   • Run your hands over the tank and connectors to detect dents, weeping or wet spots.
2. Get a pro to look at it – Even the most thorough visual inspection won’t reveal what’s happening inside your tank – but ultrasonic oil tank testing will. Look for professionals who offer this service: many steel tanks corrode from the inside out, often leaving few warning signs of a future leak or tank failure.
3. Top off your oil tank – What does filling up your tank have to do with maintenance? Plenty! A tank that contains more air than fuel encourages the formation of condensation (water droplets) on the tank’s interior walls as seasonal temperatures change. This condensation creates two big problems for your heating system: first, moisture encourages bacteria growth in your fuel, which will eventually convert your heating oil to a thick sludge that will jam your fuel lines and reduce your heating system’s efficiency. Second, water will eventually sink to the bottom of your steel oil tank (since water is heavier than oil) and corrode it from the inside out – a problem you won’t see coming until it’s too late.

Need a heating oil delivery or heating oil tank inspection in Worcester County, MA? We can help. Contact Pioneer Oil and Propane today to schedule your heating service or heating oil delivery in central MA!