1) Why should a person interested in buying an older home be concerned about home heating oil underground storage tanks (USTs)?
Frequently Asked Questions
Cedar Rock Environmental, P.C.
336-376-0394
Most older homes (those built prior to 1960) were heated by fuel oil. The heating systems in many of these homes have since been converted to natural gas. The USTs were usually left in place and frequently forgotten. About 80% of the USTs installed prior to 1970 have leaked, so chances are that contamination exists on these older properties. Although a property owner may have never used the UST, the State will hold the current property owner liable for any necessary assessment and cleanup of contaminated soils and groundwater. The cost for assessment and cleanup of contaminated soil and/or groundwater could easily run $10,000 to $20,000.
2) When were most home heating oil USTs installed?
A heating oil system was the most common source for heating a home during the 1940's and 1950's. The heating oil (kerosene or #2 fuel oil) was stored in underground or above ground storage tanks.
3) How would a person determine if a UST exists or existed on a property?
USTs typically have fill and vent pipes protruding from the ground (sometimes hidden by landscaping). Most USTs were connected to a furnace by a pair of 3/8-inch diameter, copper fuel delivery and return lines. These lines may be visible in the crawl space or basement, or clipped off at the foundation wall. Sometimes there are no visible signs of the presence of a UST. Metal detection equipment can be used to locate a UST in such cases. In addition, many older homes currently heated with natural gas originally used a heating oil system (compare age of house to date of natural gas installation).
4) How can one determine if a UST has leaked?
Inspection of the soils beneath a UST is the only method to determine if a UST has leaked causing significant contamination. Soil sampling should be performed by a licensed geologist. The presence of water in a UST also indicates the possibility of tank leakage.
5) Who is responsible for the cleanup of any leakage from a UST?
Although most home heating oil USTs are nonregulated, the soils and groundwater beneath a UST are highly regulated. Once leakage is discovered, or suspected, the State will require the former operator/owner of the UST, or the current property owner, to comply with the regulations that protect the soils and groundwater. Even if the current property owner never used the UST (many do not even know there is one on their property), the State will require them to comply with the regulations and pay for the costs of the assessment and cleanup of any contamination.
6) How much does it typically cost to remove a UST and associated contaminated soils?
It is extremely important that the work be completed according to State guidelines and by licensed professionals, with proper documentation of the removal and disposal activities. The average cost to remove and dispose of a home heating oil UST and its contents is about $2,300. The excavation and disposal of 25 to 50 tons (typical) of contaminated soil can add about $7,300 to $9,300, for a total average cost of $9,500 to $11,500.
Specializing in Underground Storage Tank Removal
Cedar Rock
ENVIRONMENTAL
Cedar Rock will investigate the possibility of fuel oil usage at a property, locate the UST if one exists, inspect the soils beneath the tank for signs of leakage, and provide a report signed and sealed by a NC-licensed geologist, for a charge of $200 (price may vary according to travel distance and site variables). Call today for more information and to schedule a site inspection.
