frequently asked questions

1. How do I know if I have an oil tank? ASI can conduct a property sweep with metal detection to determine if an oil tanks exists on your property. 

2. Is access to the home important while performing an oil tank sweep? Yes, investigating for previous evidence of fuel service inside of the home is a key part of the process. A thorough inspection with access to either the basement or the area nearest the furnace is essential to the oil tank sweep process.   

3. Do I have to be home for an oil tank sweep/tank location? No, provided that we can get access to the structure from either the current property owner or realtor, a client does not need to be on site during the sweep. 

4. Can I leave my car in the driveway during a property sweep? No, it’s not advisable.  In order to get the most accurate readings, all vehicles of any type need to be moved off the property.  Vehicle locations on the property will need to be excluded from the report. 

5. Can the tank be located under pavement or deck?  Whether the driveway is concrete or asphalt, as long as there is no rebar or wire mesh inside of these surfaces ASI can get an accurate reading.  However, if there is rebar or mesh, these areas are specifically excluded from the report.   If there is access to the area under the deck, we will do our best to scan the area.  If not,  the area will be excluded from the report. 

6. I don’t know where the tank is, what area does the sweep cover? ASI’s tank sweep will cover your entire unobstructed lot. Feel free to contact us for an estimates.  

7. How do I know if my oil tank is leaking? Most older tanks were not designed to last more than 20-25 years. Unfortunately, pin-hole leaks, with small volume loss, is not necessarily noticeable. In that case you might not notice a loss of 5-10 gallons a year. However, that is a large enough discharge to cause significant contamination over time. Often, the indicators of a leaking tank are water or excessive sludge in the tank. If you live in a development with houses built around the same time and you notice remediation activities in your area, it would be advisable to remove your tank. 

8. Why do I need to remove my oil tank? The likelihood of an oil tank leaking increases with age as rust and holes develop with metal fatigue. Unfortunately, you often don’t realize you have a problem until it’s too late.  

9. Can I sell my house with an oil tank? Having an oil tank on your property can be a hindrance to the sale of your property. Home buyers typically don’t want to assume the potential liability inherent with underground tanks and mortgage companies are reluctant to issue loans for the same reason.  

10. I bought a house and found out that the oil tank is leaking? Unfortunately, you bought the property, the tank and have inherited any associated problems, therefore, buyer beware.  

11. I don’t have tank insurance, will my homeowners insurance help? You should review your homeowner’s policy to see if you have coverage for remediation or if you have a “pollution exclusion” that could leave you holding the bill for a large cleanup project. It’s advisable to considering removing your UST and installing an above ground tank. ASI will work with you and your insurance company for swift resolution regarding coverage and cleanup. 

12. What’s involved in tank removal? 

       a. Is a permit needed? with approval ASI will obtain all permits on the property owner’s behalf.  

       b. How long does the job take? most UST’s can be removed in 3-4 hours and filled shortly after inspection. 

       c. Who disposes of the tank and waste? ASI will dispose of the tank and waste according to NJDEP guidelines and provide proof of disposal. 

       d. What happens to my lawn and yard? ASI will discuss what is necessary for clear access and will work to minimize the disturbance to your property. Once the tank is removed, ASI will restore the property to the owner’s specifications. 

13. Is a cleanup required every time a tank is removed? No because in many cases tanks are found to be in excellent condition and only require the local construction inspection and backfilling the excavation with clean soil. 

14. What proof do I get that my tank did not leak? Following municipal inspection and approval, ASI will file tank disposal and waste tickets with the construction/code enforcement department to close out the job. 

15. What happens if my tank leaks? If it has been determined that the tank has leaked, the following steps are taken: 

      a. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is notified and a case number is assigned to your property. 

      b. Your homeowner’s insurance should be notified of a possible claim. In many cases, your insurance will have coverage for third-party liability claims. The third party in the case of a homeowner can be either your neighbor’s property or the State of New Jersey if the ground water is contaminated. 

      c. ASI will check the soil directly under the tank and a minimum of two feet below the bottom of the tank to make a preliminary determination about the extent of contamination, and whether groundwater is contaminated. 

      d. The open excavation is then lined with plastic and filled to grade until the logistics of remediation implementation are determined. 

      e. ASI will help you through this process, speak with your homeowner’s insurance company on your behalf, and answer all of your questions about the process. If you have coverage, ASI will work with and for your insurance company to design and execute a plan to remove contamination from your property and file the reports necessary to obtain a No Further Action Letter from the NJDEP.

For more information call us at 732-489-2241 or email asienv@aol.com.