Know your home heating oil tank

Homeowners have a legal responsibility under environmental legislation to ensure that oil is stored safely and securely without posing a risk to water, environment and human health. Oil leaks seriously pollute soil and water, including drinking water. By taking action it will help reduce the risk of an oil spill and avoid difficult and expensive clean up costs later.

This page provides information and advise on how to reduce the risk of a leak occurring and what to do if there is a leak or a suspected leak.

See below for more detail and checklists on the following:

1) Siting and installing oil tank, pipelines and connections correctly

2) Checking for oil leaks

3) Taking immediate action if you have an oil leak or a suspected oil leak

1) Site and install your oil tank and pipeline correctly

To reduce your risk of having an oil spill it is recommended to site and install your home heating oil tank by:

• Seeking expert advice in the siting and installation of your oil tank and the line bringing the oil to your house
• Placing the oil tank on a level base with horizontal support
• Taking steps to protect the underground pipework line to your home from degradation
• Locating the tank in an area where there is low risk of it falling over or being damaged during a storm
• Considering to invest in a bunded tank and / or installing a leak detection alarm
• Keeping details of where your underground pipework is located to protect the pipeline from future site works

Download this checklist by clicking HERE

2) Check for Leaks

To reduce the risk of a leak it is important to check the oil tank, its pipework and connections regularly. Look out for:

• Splits, cracks, sun bleach on your tank. Check for rust patches if it is a metal tank
• Check gauge, pipeline carrying oil to the house, connections, internal bund, oil filter
• Damp oily patches underneath the tank
• A strong oil smell where your tank or pipework is located
• A leak – this may be small irregular drip
• Oil delivery- watch out for overfilling of the oil tank

To minimise risk of leaks:

• Refill oil tank before it runs dry to avoid accumulating grit that can cause damage to pipework
  
• Service oil boilers every 12 months

Why check for leaking oil?:

• Can seriously pollute soil and water, including drinking water
• Can travel under the foundations of your house and/or a neighbouring house. This can result in costly repairs and a need for people to leave home until repair / clean up works are completed

Download this checklist by clicking HERE

3) Take immediate action if you have a leak or a suspected leak

If you have or suspect an oil leak the steps below will guide you to take the correct course of action. The quicker the action is taken the less impact there will be on the receiving environment.

• Identify if the leak is from the home heating oil tank, oil fired boiler or broken pipe work.
• Stop the flow at the source by turning the tap off or sealing a crack.
• If it is a slow drip, try and catch the leaking oil using a plastic bucket under the oil tank. A wet bar of soap can be used to seal crack temporarily.
• Always try to prevent the oil from entering a grating or a water source – and never use the garden hose to wash away water in your garden. This will contaminate water.
• If spilt oil is on the ground, try to absorb this with sand or spill kit if there is one available. Prevent the flow to nearby buildings or watercourses.
• To salvage what is left in the tank, call a contractor who can drain your tank and store the oil until the tank is repaired or replaced and then it can be returned to you
• If the oil has entered the public water supply or the public sewer you should contact Uisce Eireann at 1800 278 278. If oil has entered a watercourse (drain/river/groundwater), contact Clare County Council at enviroff@clarecoco.ie or 065 68 46 331.
• Identify whether the heating oil leak has travelled from your property and affected third-party property. Try to determine the amount of fuel lost from the tank by checking records of previous usage and receipts from fuel supplier.
• If the oil tank has been leaking for some time and has seeped into the ground affecting your own property and/or third-party property there are larger consequences than just a clean- up. The leak may impact on the property nearby causing a risk to health and safety and the environment. Let your neighbours know you have had a leak and check to see if the leak has entered their property.
• Due to the costs associated with oil spill clean-up an oil tank leak insurance claim may be a necessity.
• Notify your insurance provider, claims handler/loss adjustor and report the issue as soon as possible. It will be necessary to use the services of an oil contamination specialist contractor. Many homeowners have their oil tank and contents covered under their home insurance policy, which will help to manage the costs accrued with an assessment, replacement and clean up.

Download this checklist by clicking HERE

Considering alternatives to home heating oil?

There are now more ways than ever to make your home warmer and more energy efficient like heat pumps and solar thermal systems. Visit https://www.seai.ie/ for lots of information and advice. Details of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant schemes can be viewed by clicking HERE.