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.

Critical Reasons why you should opt for Oil Tank Removal

Laws & regulations related to oil tank removal are made strict with time & require that those which are not in use anymore should be removed as early as possible & that the contaminated soil should be replaced with a clean fill. Why is it made stricter? How unused underground storage tanks can be a risk? If you are looking for such answers, here’s all you need:

The actual reasons

Older homes in Vancouver area which were built around fifty or sixty years before have heating systems that were driven by furnace oil. At that time, there was no natural gas as a cleaner fuel. But with time, change happened & natural gas came into being which replaced the conventional oil use. Yet, there were tank installed & they should be removed. Instead of that, the hidden underground tanks were not removed but filled with soil or sand & covered. Making a problem capped is not the solution & this is where the problem began.

What happens when tanks are not removed?

Unused oil tank under the ground starts corroding & if there is oil remaining inside, the corroded surface will bear holes through which it can seep into the soil. Where will it be moving to? It will flow into the whole of property, to the neighbors’, drains, waterways, everywhere. The results have contamination of water & soil. Then there is the effect on the estimated value of property. You, as an owner have to confront legal issues & bylaws made to tackle such contamination. Thus, opting for services of oil tank removal is what you should do as early as possible.

What you should do when oil tanks can’t be removed?

Old structures of building may have underground oil tanks installed & hidden just under the main building area & not outside. Removal oil in such cases would disturb the whole structure of the building. So, can the service of oil tank removal not be used in them? Well, only experienced professionals can tell you what to do to make the tank inert so that no contamination is caused. But it should be done at your own cost.

What to look out for when buying a property

When purchasing a property in Vancouver, or in the surrounding areas within British Columbia, there are many things you must consider. Property is in high demand and prices are soaring, as everybody scrambles to get their hands on that perfect home to call their own. Research is key here and get as much help and opinions as possible, from friends, family and professionals when buying a property.

The Right Neighborhood

All of Vancouver’s neighborhoods have different characteristics with benefits and drawbacks included in each. You might like the ease of living downtown, however it can be extremely expensive and properties. More and more people are now purchasing in the suburbs, where it is more peaceful and there are more opportunities to buy, although you will need to commute if you work in the city centre.

The Right House

A heritage home may appeal to you with its old-fashioned charm and distinctive style. Others are more interested in a slick, modern townhouse or condo. Whatever style you go for, just make sure that it is solid and that the fixtures and infrastructure are in good working order. Get a professional to survey the house for any damages or health and safety issues.

You will also need to get the property and adjacent land checked for oil tanks and call in for a possible oil tank removal. These are old oil tanks that were buried when most of the province switched from oil to natural gas. It is illegal to have these oil tanks on your land and it is your responsibility to get them removed and prevent them from contaminating the surrounding soil. Oil tank removal can be a relatively straightforward process with the right company, so there is no need for an oil tank to put you off buying the perfect home.

What you Can Expect from an Oil Tank Removal Expert

Whether you own a residential or commercial property, you are bound to be worried about the presence of an oil tank on your property. In case, you are planning to sell your property, it is all the more crucial to get it inspected for a hidden oil tank if you already haven’t. A commercial oil tank detection company in North Vancouver ensures that you have a proper property inspection to find any oil tank hidden on the property.

An oil tank detection and removal offers a wide array of services including:

Oil tank detection

This is probably the first step when it comes to detecting and verifying the presence of oil tanks on your property. It is necessary to hire a professional oil tank expert who understands the signs of a possible oil tank and its dangerous spill on the property.

Soil test consultation

If you suspect that your soil has been contaminated with oil spill, seek soil test consultation. It is important to ensure that your land or its surroundings are not affected by the presence of an old and abandoned oil tank.

Oil tank removal

Whether you have an underground or aboveground oil tank, it is important to get it removed with extreme care and professionalism. Hence, it is important to hire a seasoned oil tank removal company that has the expertise and resources to perform the task.

Removal of contaminated soil and land remediation

The contaminated soil needs to be removed before it can cause any further damage to the surroundings. The damaged soil is removed by the help of the oil tank removal experts. They also offer an important job of land remediation to restore the physical and chemical properties of the land surrounding the oil tank or a possible spill.

Backfill

The backfill of the land is also a critical process carried out by the oil tank removal company. It takes great care in the backfill of the land and in leveling the ground back to its normal place.

More about Oil Tank Removal in North Vancouver

An Oil Tank Leak in a simple sentence can be defined as the escape of oil from the buried tanks. From 250 gallons to 1000 gallons, the underground tanks come with different storage capacity. If there is a leak, it simply means the tanks need to be removed.

Why do tanks leak? The tanks are made of bare steel and the bare steel structure negatively reacts with the surrounding soil. Over time, the reaction of steel to soil changes the Steel into a corrosion process and this wears the metal over time that finally causes leaks.

As far as cleanup process is concerned, the cleanup process for oil tank removal in North Vancouver is performed by experienced Oil Tank Removal Experts. The tank removal is a simple process for leading North Vancouver oil tank removal experts.

They start from visual inspection through which they come to know the actual location and position of the buried tanks. The next step is to check if the tanks have any kind of leakage into the water table. Metal Detectors and other equipment are used by experts to detect and remove the buried tanks safely.

Throughout the detection and removal process, the main objective of the specialists is to remove the tanks by considering the safety of life and property.

Need of Oil Tank Detection for Health Reasons

There are residential properties in the Burnaby region that still have hidden Oil Tanks underneath them. In the past, Oil Tanks were installed on the property to support the fuel requirement of a household. However, they have become obsolete today and pose health hazards to the present occupants of a house with a hidden oil tank.

The hidden Oil Tanks pose health dangers to the inhabitants of the property as well as for the neighbors. The contaminated soil can pollute the air above the ground, any vegetation or plantation in the region and also result in spills and leakage. One can also find them in a difficult situation such as fire or other accidents that may be caused due to oil leakage.

The use of Oil Tank Detection Services helps in soil testing for any contamination and for scouting for any fuel tank on the property. One can contact Oil Tank Removal Services in Burnaby if there is detection of an oil tank on their property.

Apart from health concerns Oil Tanks need to be removed before a property is sold. As per the legal duties of the residents, anyone who needs to sell their property, has to ensure that there is no hidden oil tank in the property and if it is found, then it should be removed and the area is decontaminated as well.

Enjoy Special Offers and Discounts on Oil Tank Removal This Fall!

There are offers and special discounts this fall with West Coast Tank Recovery. Want to get a hidden oil tank removed from your property or want property inspection and soil decontamination by our oil tank removal experts in Vancouver ? Then you are at the right place! This season we are offering Special Discounts for Realtors.

Available 5% off on Oil Tank Removal Services from us this fall. This is one of the first discounts offered by us this season and it is open to all! Contact us today and get the fuel tank removed from your property and breathe a sigh of relief. This offer expires November 15 2012.

Available also is a 5% discount on your next Oil Tank Detection if you use the “Realtor Referral Discount”. It is as easy as referring a good friend and getting more off on our services. Simply done by referring us to a fellow Realtor and get ready to receive 5% off on oil tank detection. The offer expires on November 5 2012.

Last of the discount includes Bonanza Offer for first timers! If you are a first time Realtor using our service this season, then get 10% off on your first Oil Tank Removal Service available from us. Hurry up as we are open to discounts for this fall only!

These offers cannot be combined with any other offer or with each other. They are not applicable to “Best Price Guarantee” quotes as well!

Deal with Potential Leaks via Oil Tank Removal

If any oil tanks are buried underground, a leak can occur anytime and can cause risks to life and property. If there is any doubt related to oil tanks, homeowners should always contact professional oil tank detection companies.

The fact is that the old home heating oil comes with more risks of leaks, thus, as a homeowner; it is considered a good idea to know about the tank’s condition. Inspection is an important aspect to check for the leaks and also for other concerned factors like condensation, moisture, odor and rust.

The experts make use of improved techniques and advanced technology based oil tank detectors including M2 metal detector to analyze the current condition of tanks.

The chances of leaks increase with the age of the tanks.  To avoid the possibility of serious consequences related to leaks, it is important to remove the tanks. The experts deal with the removal task safely and efficiently.  The experts obtain all necessary permits that are required for the removal of said tanks. The tank removal specialists will also know not to consider disposing of contaminated soil in a landfill.

Thus when it comes to protect human life, property and the environment; it becomes important to acquire professional assistance for both, oil tank detection as well as oil tank removal needs.

Oil Tank Detection can slash down the value of your property

When you bought a property, the previous owner may not have the knowledge about an existing oil tank beneath it. Even if he has the knowledge, it is quite possible that he did not reveal it. However, if you suspect that there is an oil tank beneath your property, then before selling it you should employ oil tank detection services and confirm its presence.

Once you have ascertained the presence of the underlying tank, it is necessary that you should reveal the same in the disclosure clause of sale papers. However, disclosing the fact that your property has a buried fuel tank is not good for the value of your property. Once the buyer gets the hint he will move away from the ongoing deal. Moreover, even the banks and other financial institutions keep themselves away from offering mortgage for property that has an underlying tank.

Vancouver oil tank services that offer the services for detection of oil tank also offer their services for oil tank removal. And thus you need to employ them for getting the tank removed. It is not a do it yourself task and thus should not be even given a try. Apart from removing the tank properly, Vancouver oil tank detection and removal services also ensure that they scrap off the contaminated soil and dispose it properly. And once the tank is properly detected and removed then you can sell your property without any deprecation in its price. Therefore it is imperative that to prevent a slash in your property price you should employ Vancouver oil tank detection and removal services for detection and removal of the tank buried under your property.

Finding Buried Oil Tank in Property

Most people believe that if they can’t locate an oil tank on their property then don’t have one even underground. The assumption of not having a buried oil tank if you have an indoor or above ground tank can be false. One needs to be sure about the presence of hidden oil tanks in their property just to be on the safer side.

Background – Underground Oil Tanks

In and around the Vancouver region, it has been observed that properties older than 1970 have been seen to have hidden oil tanks underneath them. Earlier, people used the buried oil tanks for storing their house furnace oil that was used for household and heating purposes. Therefore, there still are properties that either had or currently have buried fuel tanks in them.

Professional Oil Tank Experts

For finding an oil tank in your property, it is important that you take a completely professional approach to it than mere physical inspection. There many oil tank removal companies in the Greater Vancouver Area that help in detection of oil tanks and their proper removal. It is an important step to locate any oil tank in the property. The presence of a hidden oil tank is hazardous to the health of the inhabitants of the property and also damages the soil and any cultivation in that area. It may also lead to fire and other damages.

A professional oil tank removal company takes proper measures for the identification and removal of such furnace oil buried in the property. Whether, it is a new property, a re-built one or an old property, always use soil testing and other detection methods to locate an oil tank in and around your property.

Oil Tank Removal for Safe Removal of Hidden Oil Tank

When buying a new property, people are not aware if there is any hidden oil tank beneath it. Moreover, they even do not bother to employ oil tank detection services to ascertain the presence of the hidden tanks. But, once they start suffering from the affects of the underground oil tank, they become suspicious of it. Therefore, it is advisable to use a detection service even before you start to suffer.

However, once the tank is detected by the detection services, it is not all done. Rather you need to employ the oil tank removal service for removing the tank. Sometimes people tend to start digging out the tank by themselves, which is not at all a healthy practice, since there are enough chances of the tank to explode and turn into flames.

Therefore, it is imperative and also advisable to employ the services of the oil tank removal service and let them accomplish the job with utmost care. Moreover, it is also necessary that the tank, once taken out from the ground needs to be properly disposed off at the dumping station. Leaving the oil tank in the open space is hazardous both for human life and the environment.

Oil Tank Removal Company for Best Price & Service

One may think of house cleaning or roof maintenance by own but oil tank detection or removal is not that easy. It needs a professional assistance as any negligence can cause serious injury to life and property both.

And if we check out the performance of leading oil tank removal experts, we’ll come to know that they offer best price and best services. They employ certified hazardous materials technicians who can easily remove oil tanks from residential or commercial buildings in a cost-effective manner.

Through high technology based tank detectors and highly sensitive magnetometer, they detect whether a tank exist and offers the best options for removal or remediation if required. They go through the property and check for vents or cracks and signs of filler valves.

Homeowners who have houses constructed in 1950 to 1970 there is a risk of having underground storage tanks. In case, the experts do not find any kind of tank on the property, they serve the clients with a certificate of inspection which may be required by the local municipal authorities.

It would not be wrong to say that by hiring professional oil tank detection and removal expert, one can remain assured of getting a quality and best price based services.

Oil Tank Detection through Scope Detectors

Once you suspect there is a hidden oil tank under your property, it is better to employ oil tank detection services, as there is no other way, you can ascertain the presence of a fuel tank buried deep under your property. If you ignore the presence of an oil tank, it can prove very harmful for you, your family and people living in your surrounding area.

An oil tank, buried deep down your property can even have some leakage and it might be contaminating the soil and the environment. Therefore, it not only proves hazardous for people, but also for the environment. Thus, it is highly recommended to use the oil tank detection service. The experts from these services are equipped with scope metal detectors that are powerful enough to detect the hidden tanks, buried deep under your property. The experts also ascertain the size of the tank using the detectors.

Once the presence of the buried oil tank is confirmed and its actual size is ascertained. You need to hire the oil tank removal services. Normally, removal and detection services are one and the same, thus you do not need to put in effort in searching a removal service. However, it is advisable to entrust only reputed oil tank removal services for the job. Since, the buried oil tank is not safe to be thrown in open, after it is taken out. Moreover, these tanks are not environment friendly and only an expert from oil tank removal service knows the way of its proper disposal.

Do Not Overlook Oil Tank Removal

Having underground tanks in the yards is like time bomb ticking in your home. Prolonged presence of underground or above ground oil tanks feature different kinds of dangers for life and property which means one needs to take immediate action in this regard. And nothing could be best that hiring professional oil tank removal firm.

Overlooking the issue of oil tank presence can make the situation worse. On an average, the lifespan of any buried tank is ten to fifteen years and its degradation can changed into a disaster. A number of firms are there that have been offering the kind of services

You should know why oil tank detection Vancouver or removal is a major concern. There are chances of inhaling, touching or ingesting of harmful liquids and gases when oil tank bursts. Usually, the harmful liquid or gases get mixed with underground water sources and makes the water unfit for drinking or other purpose.

Considering the potential health issues, it is mandatory to acquire assistance of experienced oil tank removal experts. The experts make use of tank detector and other needed equipment to remove the deep buried tanks without creating any trouble for life and property.

Employ Oil Tank Removal Service for Peace of Mind

If your property has an underground or above-the-ground oil tank then it is wise to get it removed as it might prove to be a health hazard. It is also strongly suggested to call oil tank removal service to get it removed.

It is important to get the oil tank removed from your premises through a reliable oil tank removal service, before it proves harmful. An oil tank on your property is a big liability. If the tank comes in contact of fire then it can even burst and prove disastrous for you and your family. Even if the tank is lying low in the ground it can contaminate the soil and pose certain health risk to you and to your family.

The underground oil tanks are positioned deep in the ground therefore you might not be able to detect it. Therefore, employing the oil tank removal Vancouver services becomes imperative. These companies have tools and equipment for detecting and estimating the accurate position of oil tanks. Trying to take out the oil tank by yourself can prove fatal; therefore, it is also advisable that you employ oil tank removal service. The underground or above-the-ground oil tanks can also have some residue, thus its proper disposal is also a matter of concern. Improper disposal of the oil tank residue can put you in trouble. As this residue is not friendly to the environment; therefore, by disposing it improperly you breach the environmental laws.

The process of detecting the oil tank and properly removing it is always a matter of concern. Moreover, if the detected oil tank is in a commercial area or in an industrial area a lot of care is to be taken while removing it. However, that does not imply that detection and removal of oil tank in residential area is an easy task. The complete process of detection, removal and disposal of the oil tank require expertise and therefore, it is imperative to utilize oil tank removal Vancouver services.

An above-the-ground oil tank is easily detectable; moreover, it is also easy to detect if there is any leakage in it and whether it is contaminating the surrounding. In case of an underground oil tank, a soil test is to be carried out to ascertain the contamination through leakage. The contamination of soil is not only bad for the environment but even for the general health of people living in the surrounding. Therefore it is strongly suggested to get it removed as soon as you detect it. It is also advisable that before purchasing a property you must utilize the oil tank removal services to get the property thoroughly checked for any hidden oil tanks.

West Coast Tank Recovery Inc. is in the business of oil tank removal. It has proper means and equipment for detecting and removing oil tanks and fuel tanks. It offers its services for oil tank removal in Vancouver.

Professional Assistance from Oil Tank Removal Company

An oil tank buried in your property can prove to be risky for you. In this regard, it is wise to contact a professional company to extract the oil tank off your property.

North Vancouver, BC: West Coast Tank Recovery is a North Vancouver-based oil tank removal company serving the diverse needs of people when it comes to removing the hidden oil tanks. Such oil tanks can really prove to be dangerous if they have been buried or lying unused for a long period of time. If one is on the edge of purchasing a property, they should get their property inspected for any buried tank or it would create problems later.

If one finds an oil tank buried at the premises, it is strongly recommended that they should not try to get their hands as far as its extraction is concerned as it may prove to be dangerous. This is because of the reason that they may not have those skills or knowledge that is required for the removal of an oil tank.

West coast tank recovery has experienced and talented tradesmen who are loaded with different tools that enable them to perform their job with efficiency and ease. It performs the oil tank removal job in such a way that it does not prove to be hazardous for humans or environment. They specialize in the detection, removal and restoration of all types of underground and above ground tanks at both residential and commercial properties.

It pumps out anything that is left in the oil tank and extract the actual structure itself and strongly emphasizes on the safety factor so that while removing the tank, nothing is harmed. The best part is that it prevents you from preventing any environmental laws and by doing this, they help you save a lot of money.

West Coast Tank recovery is an oil tank removal company in North Vancouver that specializes in detecting and removing exterior oil tanks, interior oil tanks, above ground fuel storage tanks, underground fuel storage tanks and heating oil tanks from a property.

How to Find the Right Oil Tank Removal Company?

You are on the edge of purchasing a house and you may be surprised to find that there’s a hurdle on the premises. Nothing proves to be worse than having an old buried oil tank in your property. There comes a situation when you feel the need to get rid of the tank and there’s nothing you can do about it. It could be buried above or under the ground. In this regard, you need to get in touch with a professional oil tank removal company that can take care of all your oil tank removal needs. An oil tank company arrives at your premises and assesses the situation in terms of how deep the oil tank has buried and for how long it has not been used. It is strongly recommended that you should not get your hands on its removal all by yourself as it may land you in trouble or may put the lives of your family members at stake.

An oil tank can prove to be harmful if not removed on time. Thus, it is very crucial to get the oil tank extracted from the premises so that it does not cause any type of environmental hazard.

Eliminate Potential Threat by Qualified Oil Tank Removal Experts

Property can be returned to pre-existing state and potential risk for fuel leak can be lessened by taking help of professional and qualified oil tank removal firms in North Vancouver, BC.

Technical standards and safety authorities have mandated heating fuel suppliers to check for aboveground or underground oil tanks. And to help homeowners in this regard, qualified oil tank removal experts are available to eliminate potential threat for fuel leak in North Vancouver, BC.

Undertaking oil tank removal projects are no more as invasive as one thinks. Leading and professional experts have been serving the individuals with successful removal results.

According to them, removing underground tanks has minimal impact and the property can be returned easily to its pre-existing state. Adding to it, they have been also making different doubts clear like how long it takes to remove the tank? Does it require having an inspector to examine the work? And so on.

One should know that removal of tanks take 3 to 4 hours and within this time the property can be restored easily. The experts come with a truck to remove all fuel from tank so as to protect any spill or leak. Any leak can cause danger to people as the oil can get mixed to underground water supply and cause various health issues.

Oil is removed completely within vehicle’s containment system so that no oil is spilled on the property. Then after, a crew of 4-5 men locate the underground tank and with a backhoe they unearth the tank top. In case the tank is not accessible with machine, the crew go for hand-dig the top of the tank. And in cases where hand dig is required, the complete oil tank removal process can take extra 3 to 4 hours.

And in this regard, you can get better help from West Coast Tank Recovery Inc. Being an expert firm in tank removals, the company also offer a range of other services like landscaping, backfilling and much more in North Vancouver, BC.

West Coast Tank Recovery Inc. has been providing comprehensive solution for oil tank removal in North Vancouver, BC. Underground oil tank removal, above ground tank removal, landscaping, etc, are of the major services.