This can occur when the metal tank corrodes and oil leaks out of the tank into the surrounding soil.
Signs of underground oil tank leak.
If the leak is large possible health risks result from exposure to oil vapors including headaches dizziness loss of coordination euphoria nausea and disorientation.
This photo shows one type of oil tank fill valve.
If your underground oil tank is empty you are dealing with what many environmental experts would refer to as a fire hazard.
The high concentration of oil vapors that may come with your oil leak can be hazardous to your health.
Even if the oil has all leaked out and the tank is empty and no one has said anything to you about contaminated soil or groundwater you still may be dealing with a fire hazard.
Presence of both a gas meter and an oil tank indicate that the tank may be abandoned.
After oil leaks gravity pulls the oil down deeper rain can also help push the oil away from the tank driving the oil deeper and also horizontally.
Contamination may be indicated by signs of a damaged tank or pipe soil that is stained or gives off strong oil odors a sheen on the groundwater or environmental test results.
This indicates that oil is leaking from your underground tank and it needs to be addressed as soon as possible by our professional excavating contractors at a l l.
These symptoms may even be worse with long term exposure.
The oil leaking into your ground will cause damage to the surrounding foliage especially if the tank is under a grassy area.
Rain water soaks into the soil.
Approximately 542 000 underground storage tanks usts nationwide store petroleum or hazardous substances.
Above ground storage tanks asts can also leak but oil leaks from asts are typically sudden and obvious.
The greatest potential threat from a leaking ust is contamination of groundwater the source of drinking water for nearly half of all americans.
Typical signs of a leak from an ust include discolored soil greenish gray strong petroleum odors and dead vegetation.
The long term effects to your health as a result of prolonged exposure can be significantly worse.
Below are three tips for being able to tell whether or not the oil tank on your property is leaking.
Oil is lighter than water and will float on top of the water.
These will likely be dark brown and smell like oil and seem to appear out of nowhere.
Short term effects include disorientation nausea dizziness drowsiness headaches and more.
If the buried oil tank has been properly decommissioned they will usually remove or cut the breather tube and fill valve so there will be no signs of an oil tank on the outside of the house.
