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There are approximately 400,000 heating oil tanks in Virginia. The majority of these tanks were installed in the '60s and '70s. Don't wait for your tank to start leaking. Why pay for heating oil that leaks into the ground? Don't delay; get your tank inspected today!
Your home is a special place and probably your single largest financial investment. Every three or four months you change the oil in the family car and do other routine maintenance as needed to keep it safe and extend its useful life. You service the air conditioner, heating system and water softener regularly.
Does oil fuel the heating system in your home? If so, what is the condition of your heating oil tank? Has your heating oil tank been in the ground for more than 10 years? Are you doing anything to ensure it is not leaking?
The soils in Virginia are very aggressive towards metal. Older or improperly installed tanks can leak thousands of gallons of oil over time. This can lead to a very costly unexpected environmental clean up, diminished property values and potential environmental impact on surrounding property and groundwater.
Most leaking tanks are discovered during inspections completed for a real estate transfer or home sale. Home inspectors, appraisers and realtors often recommend that purchasers have heating oil tanks inspected prior to settlement. Discovery of a leak at this time can slow or even prevent the transfer of ownership.
Heating oil tanks older than 10 years should be inspected annually, and those older than 30 years should be replaced. Soils & Environmental Services is uniquely qualified to complete annual inspections, tank removals and remediation of contaminated sites.
Real Estate Transfer Inspection
- Probe and locate the tank
- Measure the level of of heating oil
- Check for the presence of water
- Excavate hand auger borings around perimeter of the tank and collect representative soil samples
- Field test samples for oil vapors
- Further analysis of soil by laboratory if site conditions, vapor analysis, or lender requirements warrant
Annual Inspection Program
- Install sufficient permanent monitoring tubes
- Check tubes for evidence of subsurface leaks using approved industry methods
- Check for presence of water in tank
- Check for evidence of over fills or spills
- Check operation of over-fill whistle
- Collect and analyze soil sample if conditions warrant further investigation
- Written Report of Findings
- 50% discount on tank certifications for real estate transfer or re-finance
Tank Removal & Contaminated Site Remediation
- Obtain required permits
- Mobilize equipment and remove the tank
- Dispose of tank at an approved facility
- Remove any free product or contaminated groundwater from the site
- Remove contaminated soils and transport to an approved facility for remediation
- Sample soils and groundwater to determine severity of the contamination
- Sample nearby drinking water wells
- Restore site to close to original condition
- File required reports with local and state agencies
- File reimbursement claims with insurance or State reimbursement fund
- Additional site characterization if required
How Do I Pay For These Services?
Soils & Environmental Services offers many flexible payment options. Your house is unique as are your finances and our workload. SES works with each customer to design a payment plan that meets both of our needs. Payment in full, credit cards or monthly installments at a small additional fee are possible.
Real Estate Transfer Inspections
The price for a routine inspection can vary, depending on the location of your tank, how quickly you need it and whether or not it is necessary for a Real Estate Sale. Payment for this service is usually expected at the time of inspection or at settlement if a real estate transfer is involved.
Annual Inspection Program
Annual inspection programs vary depending on the type of tank, location, age and type of testing methodology utilized. Some tanks are best monitored through tightness testing, some with vapor analysis and others with soil or groundwater analysis. Fees can be paid in full annually, or debited monthly from a credit or debit card for a small extra charge.
Tank Removal and Site Remediation
Non-leaking tanks and tanks that need to be removed for reasons other than environmental contamination must be paid for by the client. Cost for the removal of leaking tanks and site remediation are usually excluded from homeowner's insurance policies. The Virginia Petroleum Storage Tank Fund reimburses expenses for site remediation when proper reporting and other procedures are followed.
My Tank Is Leaking... Now What?
Once a leak is identified, it must be reported to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality within 24-hours. THIS IS CRITICAL. Homeowner's insurance policies usually exclude leaking oil tanks. Virginia has the Petroleum Storage Tank Fund (VPSTF), which reimburses individuals for the cost of cleaning up sites contaminated by leaking storage tanks. Typically, the property owner is responsible for a small deductible, and the cost for actually removing the tank. The VPSTF reimburses all other costs of site remediation. Reimbursement from the VPSTF usually occurs within 8 - 12 months. Quicker reimbursements are available from other sources depending on your unique situation. Please visit our page on the VRA accelerated payment program for more information on quicker reimbursements.
SES has very flexible payment terms from due on completion or in conjunction with a real estate closing to a credit card or expedited reimbursement from other sources for a small additional fee.
Our services always include filing necessary reports and follow up on insurance claims and reimbursement applications. There are no hidden charges or representation that all expenditures are reimbursable by the VPSTF as others may claim. All work that is necessary to restore a site must be pre-approved by VA DEQ and done within pre-set allowable price limits. Only these tasks are fully reimbursable.
SES is fully licensed and insured for work of this type and guarantees that all work completed will be pre-authorized and within price guidelines.
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