Common Heating Oil Tank Problems and How to Fix Them

You will understand how disturbing  it can be for the surrounding area of your heating oil tank if you have ever experienced any type of leakage from it. Leakage can result in numerous additional problems and expensive maintenance.  

Thus, if your heating oil tank is getting older and it is showing signs of wear and tear, this can be the time to replace it. You can do it especially in the warmer weather when the demand for the heating oil tank is less. 

Modern domestic oil tanks are made to last more. However, to manage the tank to last for a long run you need to take proper care of it.

Learn more on what are the issues and problems related to heating oil and how they can be solved in this fascinating blog post. 

What are the heating oil tank problems?

The various hazards that are connected to the heating oil tanks are explosion to fire, toxicity, and various chemical and physical hazards. The other problems are energy inefficiency, corrosion and rust build-ups, condensation, sludge, sediment build-ups, etc. 

Level of Energy inefficiency: One of the most common signs that can be seen when your tank is not in good condition is the lack of energy efficiency. If you need more energy  and more heat to be produced, your domestic oil tank may not give the level of satisfaction  if it is in a bad condition. 

Corrosion or rust build-ups: One of the frequent problems is the growth of rust and corrosion in the heating oil tanks. This can have an impact on the tank's structural integrity and lead to serious problems. This may also have a detrimental effect on the environment because corrosion occurs when the tank's metal reacts with moisture and oxygen. 

Leaking puddles and oil: In the heating oil tank problems, the leaking puddles and oil are vital. They need immediate action. They result in severe environmental hazards and many of the safety risks. The leaks can occur due to various reasons like rust, corrosion, and cracks in the tank. 

When the heating oil tank leaks there can be a puddle formed around the base and another area of the tank. These puddles show the chances of fuel loss and increase the concerns of the contamination of the groundwater and soil. 

The level of Condensation: In the domestic oil tank condensation occurs when the moisture of the air comes in contact with the cold internal part of the tank. This moisture then makes droplets of water and  later collects in the below surface of the tank. 

The buildup of sediment: The collection  of sludge and water inside the oil tank within a particular time will result in various negative issues with the tank. They can create problems in the oil tank.When the temperature changes, water liquefy in the locality of the tank and it results in the formation of sludge. Water assembles at the bottom of the tank because it is substantially heavier than oil. The accumulation of sediments is another effect of this.

Creation and accumulation of Sludge: Sludge accumulation inside the heating oil tank is a frequent issue. It  happens when particles of silt, contaminants, and other organic matter collect at the tank's bottom. The sludge is a collection  of dirt, water, and various other  organic materials. This can  cause a lot of problems for the heating system.

Problems of Clogged filters: The heating oil tank problems are connected to the clogged filters and they are very common issues. They can significantly impact the performance and efficiency of the heating system. The filters have been fixed in the heating system to trap and collect the sediment, various impurities, and debris that are present in the heating oil. Later these filters become clogged with the materials they trap. 

Any of the factors that disrupt the supply like the clogged filter can lead to a decrease in work efficiency. This can also lead to a breakdown in the system. 

The overfills of Tanks: The tank overfills in the system of heating oil occur when the tank is being filled out of  the safe capacity. This leads to the chances of environmental hazards and spills. 

The tank overflow occurs due to the malfunctioning of the gauges and mistakes created by manpower. This can also happen when there is a communicating issue between the home or workplace owner and the oil delivery person. 

Issues of fuel lines: The  problem in oil tanks can also suffer from the issues of the fuel lines. This can arise due to various factors like damage, wear and tear, and corrosion. Various damaged and cracked fuel lines can result in oil leaks. This reduces the work efficiency of the heating system and results in many of the issues of safety. The leaking lines of fuels are not only the reason for wasting heating oil, it can also result in many  hazards of fire. 

Various issues with Venting: In the heating oil tanks the venting problems are also the major issues. These can be due to different blockages, improper level of machine installation, and an occurrence of damage to the venting system. The improper level of ventilation can result in safety risks and can result in  leaks in the tank. 

How to fix them?

There cannot be any repair of the fuel oil tank once it is damaged. Thus, you need to do a regular level of monitoring and servicing of the tank you have. The early signs of the damage should always be checked. The various issues related to the proper management of the heating oil tank can be resolved by having a constant level of maintenance, checking for leaks, cleaning the levels of filters, upgrading the ageing tanks, etc. 

Having a regular level of maintenance: For solving various heating oil tank problems there is a need to have regular cheque-ups of the heating oil tank. This is done to make sure about the optimal level of performance, safety, and longevity of the oil tank. If the heating oil has a regular level of maintenance, it will reduce the occurrence of potential problems and can detect severe issues on a single time. This also makes sure that the system of the heating oil tank is working efficiently. 

Checking the leaks: There should also be a proper cheque-up for the oil leaks. This is very important for reducing the contamination of the environment. Regular testing should be done to cheque for any kind of leaks. There should be a cheque for unusual odour, and the level of oil for this. 

Fixing the issues of venting: There is also a need to fix the issues of venting in the heating oil tanks. This helps have the proper flow of air and this will prevent the build-up of any pressure. 

Cleaning the filters: You should also work on cleaning the filters of the domestic oil tanks of heating. This is essential to manage the reliability and efficiency of the heating system. You should block the fuel supply when removing the filters to cheque. You should then use a brush to mildly clean up the filters. 

Upgrading the ageing tanks: You should also need to upgrade the ageing heating oil tank. This is a vital step to improve the work efficiency, and safety of the tank. This  reduces the potential problem in the oil tank. This also reduces the various hazards of the environment too. 

Maintain proper levels of fills: You should also maintain the proper level of oil filled in the tank. This is very important for the safe operation of it. You should make the schedule of the oil deliveries based on the levels  of consumption and the capacity of the tank. 

Take the help of professionals: You should get the assistance of various professionals for your heating oil tank. This you should do to make sure that there is proper maintenance, installation, and enhancement of the work efficiency of the system. 

Checking the performance of the tank: You should make regular cheque-ups of the level of performance of the machine of heating oil. This works in reducing the level of  dangers and gives an extended lifespan to the system. There should be monitoring of the consumption of the fuel and the patterns of the heating. You should also cheque if there are any other abnormalities in the system.  

Following the safety standards: The maintenance and monitoring of the heating oil tank problems should follow all the regulations and safety standards. You can choose between the steel tanks, fibreglass tanks, and double-walled tanks. The people who are working on the servicing of your heating oil tank should be experts and experienced. 

Conclusion

 An integral component of the home heating system are the heating oil tanks. They provide and store the fuel required to heat your house. This also  is essential to providing a dependable and effective fuel delivery system. For this, safety is a very important factor to be taken care of. 

The replacement of a tank and having the cheque-up for the perfect performance of all parts of the tank is the need of the hour. A well-managed and maintained tank for  heating oil  can work  for near about  ten to fifteen years on average. The tank starts to have issues after this. When the oil tank reaches the end of its lifespan, it's time to start planning your budget for the installation of a new tank.