The weather is gorgeous and we have nowhere to go. For those of you spending lock down doing jobs in the house and garden, now is a great time to check the condition of your oil tank and, if necessary, install a new one.

The dry weather makes it easier to see any damp oil stains on the tank or if there is any staining on the piers or supports of the tank. There are many other things to look for when assessing the condition of your tank:

• Oil staining or ‘mooning’ of oil from the base of the oil tank up the sides or on the supports.
• Heavy rust blisters on steel tanks, usually found where the oil tanks is resting on the supports but also under the tank.
• Leaky pipework or oil filters, taps and valves including site tubes.
• Leaves, plant growth and organic matter on top of the tank. These hold water and are breeding grounds for insects that like to crawl into the tank vent then fall in the tank. Keep the tank top and sides clear and check the top of the tank for rust and holes and plastic degradation.
• Steel tanks mounted on steel frames have a tendency to rust along the edges of the steel frame, so check there.
• If you have a plastic oil tank, check for signs of cracks, these tend to appear at the top and at the widest point, usually on the sunniest side but check the whole tank and the outlet point.
• Pay attention to any pungent smells.

We also recommend you look to replace your oil tank if it is a single skin tank that is over 15 years old. The risk of failure in a single skin tank and the cost of the resulting environmental damage is significant.

If you see any signs of tank failure, act immediately to prevent a much more costly oil spill.  Call us on 01837 55700 if you have any questions about whether or not your oil tank may need replacing.