Question 1

How often should I have my oil tank replaced?

Accepted Answer

Typically single skin tanks last around 15 years depending on quality and conditions. Bunded tanks would typically last around 25 years also depending on quality and conditions. Bunded tanks last a lot longer because they have a secondary protective layer. If you see any cracks or major wear and tear on your oil tank please contact us immediately for a free inspection.

Question 2

How do I know my oil tank needs replacing?

Accepted Answer

The clearest signs are rust, blistering or weeping seams on a steel tank; cracks, crazing or bulging on a plastic tank; oil staining or a strong smell around the base; a cracked, sinking or undersized base; and repeated boiler lockouts or blocked filters caused by water and sludge. If you have any of those, book a free inspection rather than waiting for a failure.

Question 3

How long does it take for a tank to be installed?

Accepted Answer

Most oil tanks can usually be installed in a day, this will depend on the size of the tank and what work needs to be done.

Question 4

Can a tank be installed underground?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are tanks that are manufactured for the sole purpose of being kept underground.

Question 5

How do you dispose of old tanks?

Accepted Answer

Our team carefully drain and clean old oil tanks ready for a licensed company to pick them up for recycling.

Question 6

How much does a new oil tank cost?

Accepted Answer

It depends on capacity, plastic or steel, how much groundwork the base needs, and the oil line run. Rather than quote a range that turns out to be wrong for your site, we survey free of charge and give you a fixed written price covering tank, base, fittings, removal and recycling of the old tank, and recommissioning.

Question 7

Does your company offer payment plans, finance to help spread the cost?

Accepted Answer

Yes, finance plans are available, please contact a member of our staff to find out more and apply.

Question 8

What is a bunded tank?

Accepted Answer

A bunded tank is a double walled tank, the outer layer is designed to hold 110% of the inner tank's capacity in case the inner tank was to leak or be overfilled.

Question 9

What is a single skin tank?

Accepted Answer

A single skin tank is a tank with only one protective layer, so if this tank was to crack or split it could cause contamination.

Question 10

Why would I need a bunded tank?

Accepted Answer

A bunded tank would be required if the location of where the new oil tank is going does not comply with OFTEC regulations for environmental safety.

Question 11

What are the rules and regs on where I can have my oil tank?

Accepted Answer

There are many rules and regulations regarding oil tank location. The rules and regulations can be found on the OFTEC page on our website, if you need more information then please contact one of our team.

Question 12

What separation distances does an oil tank need?

Accepted Answer

For a domestic tank: 1.8 metres from non-fire-rated buildings, eaves, doors and windows; 1.8 metres from liquid fuel appliance flue terminals; 760mm from non-fire-rated boundaries such as timber fencing; and 600mm from screening or foliage. Where those distances cannot be achieved, a 30-minute fire-rated barrier can be used instead.

Question 13

Do I need planning permission for an oil tank?

Accepted Answer

Domestic tanks up to 3,500 litres are normally permitted development, so planning permission is not usually needed. Listed buildings, conservation areas, National Parks and larger commercial installations are the usual exceptions. Building Regulations Part J applies regardless, which is why the work must be certified by an OFTEC registered engineer.

Question 14

How do I get an OFTEC registration certificate for my tank?

Accepted Answer

To get an OFTEC certificate, an OFTEC registered engineer would have to do a risk assessment and issue you with one if it is compliant.

Question 15

What are the base requirements for plastic oil tanks?

Accepted Answer

All bases are required to be made from concrete, be level and exceed the oil tank on all edges by 300mm and they are required to be 100mm thick.

Question 16

How often should I have my oil tank serviced?

Accepted Answer

As part of your annual boiler service your oil tank should be checked for any fractures / cracks, clean filters, build up of water in the tank and to make sure the tank meets building regulations.

Question 17

How does water get into an oil tank?

Accepted Answer

Mostly condensation. Warm damp air enters through the vent, then condenses on the cold inner walls and runs to the bottom. Perished fill cap seals, missing vent caps and poorly bedded lids let rainwater in directly. Because water is denser than kerosene it sits at the base, where the outlet and the steel floor are.

Question 18

I have water in my tank, what do I do?

Accepted Answer

If you have water in your oil tank we advise you to turn your boiler off and ring us right away so one of our team can come out to you and drain the oil from your tank and remove all contaminated water, clean out the oil lines and return the clean oil back into the tank.

Question 19

What is diesel bug?

Accepted Answer

A bacterial and fungal growth that lives at the fuel-water interface in the bottom of a tank. It produces a dark sludge that blocks filters and nozzles, and its by-products are acidic, so it accelerates corrosion of the tank floor. Removing the water is the only reliable long-term fix.

Question 20

Can you clean my tank without wasting the oil in it?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We pump the oil into our own holding tanks, filter out water and sediment, clean the tank, then return the good oil. Very little usable fuel is lost.

Question 21

Which areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

We are based in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire and cover Lincolnshire, North and North East Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, the East Riding of Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Leicestershire, Rutland and Cambridgeshire. If you are just outside that area, call us anyway, because we travel further for larger and commercial jobs.

Question 22

Is the site survey really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. An OFTEC registered engineer visits, inspects the tank, base, oil line and siting, and issues a fixed written quotation. There is no charge and no obligation.

Question 23

What should I do if my tank starts leaking / cracks appear?

Accepted Answer

This is an emergency situation and we strongly advise you to call our emergency line (found on our home page) right away.

Question 24

Do you cover emergencies?

Accepted Answer

Yes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 07508 705738. If a tank is leaking, contain what you can safely, keep people and pets away, do not hose it down or wash it into a drain, and call us.

Question 25

Do you work on commercial and agricultural tanks?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Alongside domestic heating oil tanks we install and service bulk kerosene, diesel, gas oil, HVO and AdBlue storage for farms, estates, haulage yards and commercial premises, built to the Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations.

Question 26

Are you insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We carry full public liability insurance, and our engineers are OFTEC registered for the categories of work they carry out. Documentation is available on request.

Oil tank questions, answered

Replacing your tank

Regulations and compliance

Servicing, water and contamination

Working with us

Our services

Oil Tank Replacement

Oil Tank Installation

Oil Tank Servicing

Oil Tank Removal & Recycling

Waste Oil Collection

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