Keeping a heating oil tank on the premises of your Long Island home is a great way to maintain a steady supply of clean, safe heating fuel. However, oil tanks don’t last forever. Every heating oil tank will eventually pass its intended lifespan. It is up to you to know when oil tank replacement is necessary for your Long Island home.

But don’t worry — the heating oil tank experts at GreenSeal Oil Tank Service won’t leave you to make the call all on your own! Whether you’re replacing an oil tank in your basement or outside your home, we’ve got you covered. As the predominant oil tank experts in Suffolk County, New York, we have the knowledge and experience to help you navigate your oil tank replacement. Continue reading to learn about the top signs it’s time to replace your oil tank. If you have noticed any of these signs, consult us at GreenSeal to help determine your next steps and avoid a costly breakdown.  

How to Tell When It’s Time for an Oil Tank Replacement on Long Island:

Visible Signs of Exterior Tank Damage

It’s a good idea to routinely inspect the exterior of your oil tank, especially when it is getting older. Of course, you can only do this if it is located above ground. Common signs of exterior oil tank damage include discoloration, corrosion, a presence of rust, or denting along the tank. If you notice any of these signs, you must seek an oil tank replacement soon. Exterior signs of damage indicate more extensive damage to the interior of the tank. We recommend you contact the GreenSeal oil tank replacement team for a consultation immediately. Our team will give you a cost estimate for a fuel oil tank replacement or let you know if the tank is salvageable.  

Wet Spots and Other Signs of Leaking from the Tank

Pinholes and minor cracks are often the first major signs that your oil tank has corroded from the inside. Signs of this that you should not ignore can include:

  • Wet spots around the oil tank
  • Puddles of oil near the oil tank or along its piping
  • A persistent odor of heating oil in or near your home (You should only notice this smell at the beginning of the year if your tank and oil heating system are in good condition!)

Weak or Unstable Tank Legs

The legs supporting your oil tank can often reflect the overall condition of the heating oil tank as a whole. If the legs have become weak or unstable, it is possible to replace them, but much of the time, it’s better to replace the entire oil tank.  

Sheer Age of the Oil Tank

On average, a well-maintained heating oil tank should last around 10-15 years before it causes any trouble. Once the oil tank has hit this age, it’s time to start budgeting for a new heating oil tank installation for your Suffolk County, NY home. Talk to your local oil tank replacement professionals about your options —that’s us!

Exposure to Outside Elements

If your oil tank is located outside your home, it is crucial to ensure no elements can get inside it. For example, you don’t want snow, ice, or rain to make their way in. Such contamination can lead to potential damage inside the tank. One of the worst things that can happen to an oil tank, even one recently installed, is exposure to snowfall.

Drops in Oil Efficiency

Drops in heating oil efficiency are common when your tank is wearing down and getting old in Long Island homes. This is often because the tank is losing oil, or there is an issue with your heating system. If you’re dealing with poor oil efficiency, contact us! It may be time to replace your Long Island heating oil tank. Our tank experts can help you decide the best course of action to take with your oil tank.

Damaged or Broken Tank Components

Your oil tank incorporates a large number of important components. A broken fuel gauge or faulty oil tank vent alarm can mean a lot of trouble and can drastically reduce the safety of an otherwise very safe heat source for your home. Remember, if the vent alarm on your oil tank is broken, then an oil delivery supplier will not fill the tank, and you risk a no-heat emergency. Make sure you don’t run out of heating oil from this issue during the height of winter on Long Island.

Now, the cost to replace an oil tank gauge can vary. It may not be worth it to replace these kinds of parts if the oil tank is old. Luckily, GreenSeal can help with the replacement and removal of the oil tank at an affordable cost.

Frequent Pipe Clogs & Sludge Buildup

Heating oil tanks that are corroding or are not well insulated can lead to a massive amount of sludge buildup that can be hard to keep up with. In some cases, a cleanout may get the job done, but often, oil tank replacement is also a good option.

Unprotected Oil Tank Connections

The oil lines that connect the heating oil tank to your furnace should be in good working condition. If you ever notice any splits or cracks in that connection, then you need to have your heating oil tank serviced by an oil tank replacement technician right away. If the lines have cracked, that opens up the possibility that an oil leak will be next. Don’t ignore this issue.

GreenSeal is Long Island’s #1 Oil Tank Replacement Company

As the go-to heating oil tank experts on Long Island, we have what it takes to replace your aging and damaged oil tank as quickly and efficiently as possible. Whether you know you need to replace your heating oil tank, or you’re looking for trained oil tank professionals to help you make the right choice, count on GreenSeal to ensure the job gets done right. You can always rely on our professional team at GreenSeal for expert oil tank removal and replacement. Call (631) 928–1500, or contact us online to get started on your oil tank installation, oil tank removal, or oil tank abandonment with GreenSeal Oil Tank Service.