Tank Removal Under a Porch

When they buried oil tanks they didn’t consider having to remove the tank in the future.

Many tanks that people think can’t be removed can be removed.  Do I have to remove a tank under a porch or deck?

What you actually have to ask yourself is, how do I know if the tank didn't leak?   Because that is what a buyer will ask when you sell the property.   Trust me even if you only bought the property a few years ago, today's buyers have little tolerance for the risk of oil tanks.  During the Covid-19 house buying frenzy, when people bid above asking and waived home inspections, we did more Tanks Sweeps with GPR than ever, because the risk of a $50,000 tank leak was more than people were willing to accept.

Fact:  you can clean and test a tank and then fill it in place rather than having to remove the tank.  

The key to any tank is determining if the tank did or did not leak.   In all three states that we work (Delaware, New Jersey & Pennsylvania) this is accomplished by soil sampling.   Obviously if you remove a tank, you can easily soil sample by obtaining samples from the ground where the tank was extracted from.  But what about when the tank is under a garage, a porch or some other obstruction?    Well in lieu of removing, you have the option of cleaning the tank of all residual oil, then taking soil samples through the bottom of the tank.  You can see these sample locations in the photo below

Pro Tip:

Don't be so focused on removing a tank as proving the tank did not leak and never will, if you choose to fill the tank in place.

The liability of oil tanks is well know TODAY.

Quick story we had a property where a relative bought a house and didn't inspect for a tank.  After so many years, the relative sells the home years later to their son, who also doesn't look for an oil tank.    Fast forward to today, he lists the property for sale and we complete a tank sweep for the buyer and finds a tank.  The buyer wanted the tank removed and tested, they didn't run away, because they know the next property could have an oil tank.  Buyers want oil tanks addressed by the owner (in our language they are called the RP or responsible party).

That's the tank in the next photo, it leaked.  The range of emotions, headache and stress were immeasurable.

To the uninitiated, the condition of the tank would make you assume that a major bank breaking cleanup was needed.  It wasn't, the tank leaked for sure, but levels were within standard and the real estate transaction went forward.

Now we are getting a little off topic regarding how you address a tank under a structure.   Know that some can be removed, others can be cleaned, sampled and filled in place, its totally acceptable and legal.  Trust me tanks have been placed under structures for decades on commercial sites and those regulations that allow the tank to remain in place are applicable to residential sites.