CALL US TODAY! 604-889-0251

CALL US TODAY! 604-889-0251

Many people aren’t even aware that residential oil tanks exist. In another time, they were a popular choice for heating homes and buildings, though there are better alternatives available today.

In Canada, all residential oil tanks are required to be registered and owners must follow regulations. For example, any oil tank over 25 years old is not allowed to be refilled, and if not in use, they must be removed.

Keeping an oil tank underground on your property, either buried underground or above ground, is no longer seen as a necessary, or even safe, the thing to do. We are going to list some reasons you might want to consider oil tank removal.

Reasons For Removing the Oil Tank

 

1. Environmental Protection

Regardless if they are above or below ground, oil tanks degrade over time, allowing the contents to seep out and poison the surrounding land.

 

This has many negative consequences, from damaging wildlife to rendering the soil unusable. The sooner you have the oil tank removed, the better it is for the environment. The sooner your remove the tank, the less clean up and remediation you will need if the tank eventually leaks and contaminates the land.

 

2. Save Money

While it might seem like oil tank removal is expensive upfront, there are long term cost savings. Actually, all of the following points will relate back to saving money in the long run.

 

3. Resale Value

Related to the above point, oil tank removal might be a necessary cost at some point if you are considering selling your home. Most buyers today will require an old oil tank removed before they make an offer because it can affect their insurance and mortgage options.

Also, if the land is already damaged from a leak, it will affect your opportunities to sell your home or property.

 

4. Maintenance Costs

If you decide to keep the oil tank on your property for a while longer, you will have to accept that there are going to be maintenance costs that come along with it. Oil tanks need to be inspected regularly for leaks and repaired immediately if they show signs of degradation.

 

5. City Bylaws

Having an oil tank on your property in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland is subject to a long list of city bylaws that the owner is responsible for understanding and following. The bylaws are there to protect citizens and the community and there are consequences for not following them. Please view the Residential Heating Oil Storage Tanks in BC or Bylaws in Vancouver.

 

6. Energy Efficiency

While oil tanks were a popular heat source because of cost and efficiency, times are changing. There are plenty of other options that don’t come with the high costs that accompany oil tanks.

 

7. Preparing for Renovations

If you are planning to do major Renos to your home or building, removing an old oil tank might be required. Even if it’s not required, it might be a great time to just get the job done — especially if you are landscaping or doing something like building a deck or pouring a new driveway.

 

If you live in Vancouver or the Lower Mainland and have questions about the oil tank on your property and how to remove it, give us a call. We are standing by to help!