How to Keep Water Out of Your Oil Tank
If you’re a homeowner in New Hampshire, chances are you’ve experienced unexpected costs related to your home comfort. Remember that sinking feeling when you realize that your home or property requires hundreds of dollars in repairs? Nobody wants to experience that! We’re here to help you learn how to be proactive in the care of your home heating oil storage tank so you can avoid costly water buildup. First, here’s some brief background information about how water gets in your tank in the first place. Understanding the cause will help you to get to the solution.
How Does Water Get in My Heating Oil Storage Tank?
In the warm days of spring, summer, and fall, heating oil tanks can collect condensation inside. Some of the water gets in through the oil fill pipe, and other droplets condensate from vapor in the air. Even the best-sealed oil tanks can collect water in one way or another, so water in your tank is always a possibility to be aware of.
What Damage Does Water Cause in an Oil Tank?
The moisture eats away at the metal of the tank to a degree determined by the temperature extremes. The warmer the weather, the greater effect water inside a heating oil storage tank can have. Also, this rust happens from the inside out, which means it’s hard to detect unless you schedule frequent oil tank safety checks with your HVAC provider. Finally, water can freeze in your oil tank, causing flow issues when it comes to refills and furnace, boiler, or water heater usage.
How Do I Keep Water Out of My Oil Tank?
You can protect your oil tank against this corrosion by keeping it topped off with fuel, which leaves less room for air, water vapor, condensation, and rust to form inside. Oil tanks are designed to hold oil, not water or air—that’s why they are best protected when full of oil from your local fuel provider. A combination of preventative care and regular HVAC service will help you combat the issue of water in your oil tank.
Related Blog: The Number One Way to Protect Your NH Heating Oil Tank
The Importance of Keeping Your NH Oil Tank Full
Summers in New Hampshire are unpredictable, and warm weather can cause oil tanks to collect internal condensation and corrode from the inside out. Since this damage isn’t visible to the naked eye, by the time your tank sprouts a leak it will be too late to reverse. The simple fix is keeping your oil tank full year-round and requesting regular HVAC service to make sure everything is up to snuff. Contact your heating oil delivery provider to request a tank fill and safety inspection at your property. Then, you can kick back and relax knowing you’re doing everything you can to keep water out of your heating oil storage tank.