Need an Oil Tank Replacement? How to Visually Inspect Your Heating Oil Tank
Keeping a heating oil tank on the premises of your New Hampshire home is a great way to maintain a steady supply of clean, safe heating fuel. However, oil tanks don’t last forever. Every heating oil tank will eventually pass its intended lifespan. It is up to you to know when oil tank replacement is necessary for your NH home. But don’t worry — your local HVAC service provider won’t leave you to make the call all on your own! Continue reading to learn about the top signs it’s time to replace your oil tank.
8 Signs You Might Need an Oil Tank Replacement in New Hampshire
1. Visible Signs of Exterior Tank Damage
It’s a good idea to routinely inspect the exterior of your oil tank, especially when it is getting older. Of course, you can only do this if it is located above ground. Common signs of exterior oil tank damage include discoloration, corrosion, a presence of rust, or denting along the tank. If you notice any of these signs, you must seek an oil tank replacement soon. Exterior signs of damage indicate more extensive damage to the interior of the tank. We recommend you contact your HVAC provider or a local oil tank replacement team for a consultation immediately.
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2. Wet Spots and Other Signs of Leaking from the Tank
Pinholes and minor cracks are often the first major signs that your oil tank has corroded from the inside. Signs of this that you should not ignore can include:
- Wet spots around the oil tank
- Puddles of oil near the oil tank or along its piping
- A persistent odor of heating oil in or near your home
3. Weak or Unstable Tank Legs
The legs supporting your oil tank can often reflect the overall condition of the heating oil tank as a whole. If the legs have become weak or unstable, it is possible to replace them, but much of the time, it’s better to replace the entire oil tank.
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4. Exposure to Outside Elements
On the off chance your oil tank is located outside your home, it is crucial to ensure no elements can get inside it. For example, you don’t want snow, ice, or rain to make their way in. Such contamination can lead to potential damage inside the tank. One of the worst things that can happen to an oil tank, even one recently installed, is exposure to snowfall.
5. Drops in Oil Efficiency
Drops in heating oil efficiency can occur when your tank is wearing down and getting old in New Hampshire homes. If you’re dealing with poor oil efficiency, be sure to contact your local HVAC service provider. Your local tank experts can use ultrasonic tank testing to help you decide the best course of action to take with your oil tank.
6. Damaged or Broken Tank Components
Your oil tank incorporates a large number of important components. A broken fuel gauge or faulty oil tank vent alarm can mean a lot of trouble and can drastically reduce the safety of an otherwise very safe heat source for your home. Remember, if the vent alarm on your oil tank is broken, then an oil delivery supplier will not fill the tank, and you risk a no-heat emergency. Make sure you don’t run out of heating oil from this issue during the height of winter in New Hampshire. Since the cost to replace an oil tank gauge can vary, it may not be worth it to replace these kinds of parts if the oil tank is old. Luckily, your local heating oil service provider can help with the replacement and removal of the oil tank.
7. Frequent Pipe Clogs & Sludge Buildup
Heating oil tanks that are corroding or are not well insulated can lead to a massive amount of sludge buildup that can be hard to keep up with. In some cases, a cleanout may get the job done, but often, oil tank replacement is also a good option.
8. Unprotected Oil Tank Connections
The oil lines that connect the heating oil tank to your furnace should be in good working condition and sleeved with a protective coating. Bare copper feedlines in cement are a recipe for disaster, as the substances will eventually corrode. If you ever notice any splits or cracks in that connection, then you need to have your heating oil tank serviced by an oil tank replacement technician right away. If the lines have cracked, that opens up the possibility that an oil leak will be next. Don’t ignore this issue—it’s an affordable fix that will save you headaches down the line.
Need a New Oil Tank? Get in Touch with Your Local Heating Oil Service Provider Right Away
If you have noticed any of these signs, be sure to contact your local HVAC service provider to help determine your next steps and avoid a costly breakdown and get prepared for your new oil tank installation service. Whether you know you need to replace your heating oil tank, or you’re looking for trained oil tank professionals to help you make the right choice, be sure to contact a local heating oil service technician in your area to get started as soon as possible. To learn more about the benefits of heating oil in New Hampshire, rely on our team at Clean Oil Heat NH to provide the most reliable and up-to-date resources for New Hampshire heating oil users like yourself.