Decommissioning Your Oil Tank
Does the house you are considering purchasing have an oil tank?
Yes oil is still used as a source of heat fuel in residential homes and when you are purchasing a home with that used to have oil or still does, there are a few things you’ll always want to make sure that you do:
- Ask for and obtain proof of decomissioning to January 1st, 2009 DEQ standards.
- If a home used to have oil heat and there is no proof of decomissioning, check county records or to see if it has been property decommissioned and with the permit on file. You can also check with DEQ in Oregon or Washington State Department of Ecology depending on your State.
- If there is no record of decommissioning, order a tank sweep during the inspection period.
- If no tank shows up–great! If however a tank does show up, you’ll need to have soil samples taken to see if any contamination levels indicate a potential clean up issue.
- Hopefully soil samples will show up clean and clear!
- If you decide to have the oil tank decommissioned after you purchase the house, remember that the soil samples you paid for during the inspection period have a short window of expiration. If you wait until after they expire, you’ll need to re-do and thus re-purchase new soil samples.
- A simple oil tank decommissioning with no clean up is pretty routine.
- However if clean up is required in addition, expect several rounds of soil tests and an expensive cha ching to fix. The last soil clean up and decomisisoning in one of my transactions cost over $7,000.
- Don’t wait. If you own your home, get it done now. Don’t wait until you sell to get it cleaned up and decomissioned.
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SOIL SOLUTIONS: Oregon & SW Washington
Derek did my own oil tank clean up and decommissioning a few years ago and did an outstanding job. Best quote, fast work…great job! I have used other tank companies in working with different clients…and Derek always does the best!
- Derek Sandoz
- PHONE: 503-234-2118
- Website
- Tank Scans
- Tank Testing
- Decommissions
- Clean-ups
- Tank Installation
- I have others that I’ve worked with, and Derek does the best job in my opinion!
