How Oil Tank Removal Can Affect Your Property

Buried oil tanks have long been a problem for houses in the Greater Vancouver and surrounding areas, as any tanks found under your property should be removed as soon as possible.

Here is how an oil tank removal can affect your property.

Stopping you from selling your home

Depending on the area that you live, an oil tank removal can get in the way of selling your home, if there hasn't previously been a scan giving your property the all clear. This can clearly become a major issue if you do decide to sell your home, which makes having an oil tank scan an important task for those not in the know.

Unable to expand your property

Those property owners who are planning to expand their home may also be affected by an oil tank removal, as the area they are residing may require them to undergo an oil tank scan. If this comes up with a tank found buried on the property, an oil tank removal will need to be completed before planning permission is granted.

This can often come as a shock to those not knowing about oil tank removal, or who were not aware of the possibility of a tank being under their home.

Contamination problems

One of the biggest problems you can face, requiring an oil tank removal, is if you start to notice any soil contamination. This is also the case if your neighbours notice any issues too, as you will be held liable for any damage caused from the buried oil tank, even if you aren't aware of its existence.

While this may sound unfair, it means conducting an oil tank removal at the earliest opportunity is highly recommended, or you may be left with a hefty bill.

Getting in contact with a professional

If you are concerned about the existence of an oil tank on your property then why not speak with a professional today, as they can help explain the scanning process, along with helping with an oil tank removal if required.

Buying a Home and Oil Tank Removal

Oil tank removal is a phrase that you probably didn’t think you’d come across, but are hearing a lot recently. This owes a lot to the property market in Vancouver and the number of people buying homes or lots to build homes on. If you want to buy a property in Vancouver, the law in British Columbia states that if there is an old oil tank on the property, then it is up to the seller to get it removed before selling.

So as a buyer, you might be wondering why there is an oil tank on the property in the first place. Isn’t natural gas the main source of energy in BC? That is correct, but in the past, people used oil. Due to this, there are many discarded oil tanks on properties. As they were unsightly, many people had them buried on their lots, and once they stopped being used, the tanks were simply forgotten. During this time, it was not known that this was potentially quite harmful toward the environment, especially if it leaked. Even though most oil tanks were drained, there is still some residual oil left in them, which is why oil tank removal in Vancouver is essential.

As property in Vancouver is in such high demand, having oil tank removal in Vancouver can seem like something that will slow down your sale.  For those who are anxious to buy, this can be seen as a negative thing, but we are here to inform you that oil tank removal in Vancouver doesn’t have to take long.

There is no need for the lot to be completely dug up in order to find an oil tank that is buried underground. The best oil tank removal companies in Vancouver use ground penetrating radar and M-scope metal detection technology to see if these oil tanks are buried on your potential property, without having to dig up anything.

Then, if there is one, the owner can authorize the oil tank removal company to take the oil tank off the property before selling. The oil tank removal company will do this in a safe and effective manner, which will cause as little mess and disruption as possible. The materials that make up the oil tank will then be disposed of in a responsible manner, with many being recycled and the part of the lot that was dug up will be back filled.

Don’t panic if a home you are interested in needs oil tank removal in Vancouver. It is a quick and simple process that professionals can take care of for you. 

The Four Stages of an Oil Tank Removal

If you require an oil tank removal, you might be interested to know the four stages of the process, starting with a full scan of the area.

Stage 1: Oil tank scanning

Before an oil tank removal itself can take place, the professional company conducting the service will need to know where, and if, an oil tank is buried under your property.

There are a number of different ways for scanning your property, with the two main methods being metal detection scanners and ground penetrating radar. While metal detection can be a useful first indicator, ground penetrating radar can provide a much more in depth and conclusive view.

Stage 2: Oil tank removal

After the scanning has taken place, the oil tank removal can then begin, which starts with the excavation of the area in question. Following the oil tank removal, there will be a large hole left in your ground. Before this can be tended to, the oil tank needs to be disposed of in a safe and legal manner.

Stage 3: Oil tank disposal

In using a reliable and reputable company for your oil tank removal service, this will include the oil tank disposal as part of the process. By choosing one of the leading companies, you can be sure that the disposal is as efficient as possible.

Stage 4: Back fill

The last part of an oil tank removal is to leave the property looking as it did previously. This involves filling in the hole where the excavation took place, though it can be more difficult if there is any soil contamination in the area. If this is the case, the soil needs to be replaced with clean and uncontaminated soil, before the back fill process can be declared finished.

Summing Up

The four stages of an oil tank removal are all required before the process can be declared finished, so ensure that any contractor or company you choose offers all four of the services mentioned above.

Why You Might Need an Oil Tank Removal Company

Have you seen an oil tank removal company advertised recently, but aren't sure exactly why you might need one? An oil tank removal company can be more useful than you might think, as we will explain further below.

Oil tank scanning

One of the most common reasons you will need to use the services of an oil tank removal company, is if there is a chance of an underground storage tank buried beneath your property.

For Metro Vancouver, this is a more common occurrence than you might imagine, with the tanks causing potentially huge problems, having been left to corrode and ultimately leak. One of the most troubling aspects to a homeowner is that if you have an oil tank buried, even without your knowledge, it is entirely your responsibility.

This can result in thousands of dollars in damages and repair costs, making an oil tank removal company essential in these cases. For those who aren't sure whether an oil tank is buried under their property or not, hiring the services of an oil tank removal company to find out is highly advised.

Oil tank removal

If you are unfortunate enough to have it confirmed that you do have an oil tank buried under your property, it is essential to remove it as soon as possible.

This will mean the oil tank removal company will first locate the exact place where it is buried, before the excavating and removal process can occur. Following this, the oil tank must be correctly disposed of, before the task of backfilling the land can be started. During the backfill process, the oil tank removal company will ensure they leave your property in the same or better state than it was found.

In summary

While you might not think an oil tank removal company is of use for you, this can quickly change if an oil tank is found buried, or suspected to be buried, under your property. For those who aren't sure whether their property has been given the all clear, hiring a professional to conduct a scan is highly advised. 

The Four Steps of an Oil Tank Detection and Removal

Are you looking at getting an oil tank detection and removal performed on your property? Wanting to know the various stages of the process? If so, read on, as we outline the four main steps behind the complex procedure.

Step 1: Oil tank scanning

The first stage to any oil tank detection and removal, is to check if there is an oil tank, or similar item, buried under your property.

If you aren't sure whether there is one lurking beneath your home, or grounds, it is highly advised to seek out a professional to thoroughly scan your property. The owner of the property is liable if an oil tank starts to leak, or causes contamination to a neighbour, even if they aren't aware of its existence. 

Hiring a professional company, that is able to utilize a variety of scanning methods, such as M-Scope metal detection, along with ground-penetrating radar, will provide the most accurate results possible.

Step 2: Oil tank removal

If you have scanned your property and discovered an oil tank lurking below, the next stage is to excavate and remove it. This might sound easier than it is, with it being a task definitely left to the experts.

Step 3: Oil tank disposal

Once the tank has been removed from the ground, it doesn't miraculously disappear. Instead, it is required to be disposed of in the correct manner, meeting all the necessary rules and regulations.

Step 4: Backfill

The last stage of an oil tank detection and removal is backfill, which is what restores your property back to looking its best. 

Soil contamination can be an issue if left untreated, so ensuring that the company or contractor you are using tests for this is key. After testing the soil comes the task of refilling the area and restoring it back to its previous design, which is a sizeable job in itself. 

Rounding up

In finishing each of the four steps listed above, your oil tank detection and removal will successfully be completed.

General House Maintenance Advice

What many people don't realize until after they buy a home, is quite how much maintenance is required to keep it looking its very best.

So, what are some of the more forgotten house maintenance tips?

Repainting the housing exterior

While the majority of homeowners take great care of the inside of their house, when it comes to the exterior, it can often be left ignored. Not only does this reduce the aesthetic appeal of your house, but it can also contribute to exterior wall damage, as the paint acts as a protective layer.

Removing an underground oil tank

While considered more of a recommended task than a maintenance duty, ensuring that you don't have an oil tank buried beneath your property is highly recommended. If you are not sure whether you do, or not, then there are a number of companies that specialize in oil tank detection, removal and disposal.

Any problems relating to an underground oil tank are the direct responsibility of the homeowner, even if they are unaware of its existence, meaning that scanning and removing is highly advisable.

Driveway repairs
If you are starting to notice cracks or potholes forming on your driveway, then you are already behind on its maintenance work. Two of the first signs that your driveway requires maintenance is when it loses its shine, along with a change of colour. Don't wait until potholes and cracks start appearing, as the cost required to fix it starts to rise rapidly.

Gradual gardening

The last house maintenance tip is to engage in gradual gardening, as the task can be overwhelming when left for a long period of time. Keeping on top of your garden maintenance will mean less overall work required, along with a well-kept outside area to enjoy.

The Oil Tank Removal Specialists are here to help

Vancouver residents and homeowners experience significant issues surrounding oil tanks on their property. Old and unused oil tanks have been a problem since they went out of commission in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Since then, Vancouver homeowners have struggled with the adverse effects of hidden, or rusting oil tanks on their properties. However, West Coast Tank Recovery has made a huge difference, by helping to tackle the problem in a professional, affordable and efficient manner.

Specialists in oil tank removal since 2010, West Coast Tank Recovery can remove commercial and residential oil tanks with minimum upheaval of your property. Their passion for perfection has built a fantastic reputation among their clients for dealing with oil tank removal in record time. The expert team at West Coast specializes in hidden oil tank detection, removal of oil tanks and the removal of soil that has been contaminated by a leaking oil tank.

The experienced West Coast team uses sophisticated, non-invasive technology to detect the presence of an old oil tank underneath the ground at both commercial and residential properties. If an oil tank is detected, it must be removed as soon as possible, as per Vancouver city by-laws. The trained and certified team will take you through every step, as they use their tried and tested technique to remove the tank with minimal detriment to your property.

Once the oil tank has been safely removed, their next task is to ensure that any soil that has been contaminated by a leaking oil tank is safely and responsibly removed and disposed of. Lastly, they understand the importance of getting your lawn back in order, so they safely back-fill any missing soil and make sure to leave your property in tiptop shape.