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Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions and answers to them. Click on the question to view the answer.
- Why should a person interested in buying an older home be concerned about home heating oil underground storage tanks (USTs)?
- When were most home heating oil USTs installed?
- How would a person determine if a UST exists or existed on a property?
- How can one determine if a UST has leaked?
- Who is responsible for the cleanup of any leakage from a UST?
- How much does it typically cost to remove a UST and associated contaminated soils?
- Is any financial assistance available for the State required clean-up?
- How can I learn more about residential USTs?
- Why can't I just fill my UST with sand, water, or foam?
- Should I be concerned about leakage from a UST that is still being used?
- Why should a person interested in buying an older home be concerned about home heating oil underground storage tanks (USTs)?
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. - When were most home heating oil USTs installed?
A heating oil system was the most common source for heating a home during the 1940s and 1950s. The heating oil (kerosene or #2 fuel oil) was stored in underground or above ground storage tanks. - 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). See our Hidden Tanks page for more information on tank location. - 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. See our Site Inspections page for more information on Cedar Rock site inspections. - Who is responsible for the cleanup of any leakage from a UST?
Although most home heating oil USTs are non-regulated, 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. - 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 cost to remove and dispose of a home heating oil UST and its contents is about $2,800, depending on site conditions. 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 $10,000 to $12,000. - Is any financial assistance available for the State required clean-up?
The State has a Trust Fund for eligible tank owners, which reimburses the costs for State-required assessment and cleanup associated with USTs (if completed in accordance with State guidelines). Cedar Rock will help determine your eligibility status, and prepare and submit all necessary application and reimbursement paperwork. For eligible tank owners, Cedar Rock guarantees 100% reimbursement of applicable charges. There is no Trust Fund reimbursement for leaks from above ground systems. See our Trust Fund page for more information on the Trust Fund and eligibility information. Also see the Co-payment page to see how Cedar Rock can assist you in meeting the cost of site cleanup. - How can I learn more about residential USTs?
Call Cedar Rock for a free consultation. In addition, the State has a website that presents information on the regulations concerning residential USTs, Trust Fund financial assistance, how to choose a qualified environmental consultant, and other pertinent information. Visit our page on NC State Regulations for more information and links to the State's website. - Why can't I just fill my UST with sand, water, or foam?
A UST can be abandoned in-place if certain conditions exist. In most cases, abandoning a UST in-place is not an option if leakage has contaminated the underlying soils and/or groundwater. Therefore, one must be able to show that leakage has not occurred. The tank owner should obtain a report from a NC licensed geologist or engineer certifying that the soils beneath the tank have not been impacted by a release, before abandoning a UST. If in-place abandonment is a viable option, then certain steps must be taken to abandon the tank properly. The UST must be cut open so that the interior can be cleaned out so that when the tank eventually rusts away, no leakage occurs. Then the tank must be completely filled. Sand will not flow from one end of the UST to the other, so a sinkhole may develop when the steel tank rusts away. Water will just leak out, and a large sinkhole will develop at a later date. Foam doesn't appear to work as it was intended (see our photographs and explanation on our Tank Abandonment page). It is very important to have a report signed and sealed by a NC licensed geologist or engineer showing that the UST was properly abandoned. - Should I be concerned about leakage from a UST that is still being used?
Yes, absolutely! Leakage from a UST usually begins while it is still in use. Even if a tank is only a few years old, it is a good idea to have the soils beneath the UST inspected.