It is very important to make sure that you are always doing what you can in order to ensure that your heating oil tank is kept in the best possible condition.
To help you do this, you will want to take a few moments to review the following tips. This way, you will not have to worry about the expense of a replacement heating oil tank anytime in the near future.
Do Regular Visual Inspections
To spot potential problems before they get out of hand, you will want to conduct a visual inspection every few weeks. Sure, that might seem like that you will be doing a lot of inspections of your heating oil tank, but it really does not take up much time and this can save you from having to deal problems that have gotten out of control.
Some of the things that you are going to want to look for include cracks, dents, rust spots, bulges, and discoloration. Should you notice any of those things, you need to take immediate action.
Check For Oil Leaks
This is a maintenance check that will take a little more time. You want to make sure that you are not only looking for leaks coming from the tank itself, but at all of the pipes or valves as well.
In order to do this, you might want to grab a clean flat piece of cardboard. Lay it under the heating oil tank and secure it in place by tossing a few rocks in the corners of the cardboard. Now you will want to leave that in place for a few hours so that you will be able to later see whether any heating oil leaked out of the tank.
Inspect For Water Leaking Into The Tank
It is vital that no water is entering the heating oil tank and mixing with that fuel. To check for such a problem, you are going to want to attach a water checking putty to the end of a stick. They sell this puddy online and at many home improvement or hardware stores. Otherwise, you can call your local oil deal and have them run an inspection of your oil tank if you are unsure.
Once the stick is ready, you will then want to dip it into the heating tank and swirl it around a little. When it is removed, the color of the puddy will help you determine whether it detected water in the tank. The instructions that came with it will tell you what colors you should be looking for.
Now, with all of those things in mind, you should have no trouble ensuring that your heating oil tank and the heating oil itself is kept in the best possible shape.
Better Home Heat Council concentrates on educating consumers about oil heat, especially on topics involving the economical and efficient use of oil heat. We also help consumers with their energy efficiency issues in their homes and find effective solutions to make their homes more energy efficient. We support local oil companies of Lehigh Valley that provide a range of services and products. Click here to search for a home heating oil supplier in your area. Many of our oil dealers provide energy consultations for their customers.