High oil prices are leading to home owners filling up old oil tanks

The recent increase in global oil prices following the situation in the Middle East have seen households rush to fill their oil tanks before any further price increases.

As we approach warmer weather and more sunlight exposure, it is very important to carefully inspect your oil tank before filling it. Old tanks can be sun faded, and the plastic can become very brittle.

A full oil tank can have over 1 tonne of weight in it. The pressure of this oil on an old brittle oil tank, alongside the warming and cooling effects of the sun can very quickly lead to cracks forming.

Your old oil tank can very quickly become a serious problem. We recommend planning to replace your old oil tank before a split develops and an oil spill occurs.

If your currant oil tank is over 15 years old

Age is a very important factor when considering upgrading your old oil tank with a new oil tank. Some home insurance companies are asking homeowners to have an annual inspection of their oil tank. This should be carried out by an OFTEC Trained Oil Heating Engineer.

This is because old tanks can become damaged by the sun, or heat, and base subsidence over time. An old oil tank that looks Ok and does not leak can very quickly become a problem. We recommend that you replace your oil tank before it leaks instead of replacing after it leaks. This does mean you would not have to deal with a costly oil spill.

A poor base support, subsidence, or collapse of your oil tank

A poor base support can result in uneven weight distribution when your oil tank is full. An oil tank that stores 1000 litres of oil equals 1 tonne. This can result in bulging, deformation, and increased stress on the plastic. Over time with strong sunlight and warm temperatures, your oil tank’s life expectancy can be halved easily.

Tank damage from sunlight and warm temperatures

UV rays from the sun can damage your oil tank, resulting in the plastic becoming brittle as it is broken down. New modern tanks have UV stabilisers added to the plastic to try to prevent this and to help your tank being shielded from sunlight is very important.

Summers are increasing in duration, temperature, and UV ray exposure. Oil tanks when warmed during the daylight expand, and when temperatures cool down, they contract. When plastic is brittle and sun-damaged, it loses its plasticity, meaning it cannot expand and contract, which leads to splitting.

Cold and freezing temperatures

Cold and freezing temperatures just like warm temperatures, can result in wear and tear and damage on your old oil tank. Cracks and splits can form in extremes of both hot and cold temperatures.

Bad installation technique

Unfortunately, oil tanks that have not been installed correctly in accordance with manufacturer’s & OFTEC recommendations, can also cause problems for your oil tank. Whilst some criteria can be tricky to meet in smaller properties, it is essential to ensure you have a good solid base that will not subside. It is important to ensure the tank is supported across its length and width, with 300mm clearance all around.

The base should exceed the size of the oil tank.