posted on February 12, 2004 12:47:20 PM new
Get a load of this... the government has passed a law that says we all have to replace our oil tanks (heating oil) with these new fancy ones, or we don't get filled. The reason is corrosion. The new tanks are about $2500.00 plus installation, plus removal of your old tank, plus taxes.
Can someone tell me how the inside of an oil tank can get corroded?
posted on February 12, 2004 01:01:27 PM new
Show us a link, Krafty! Who makes these new oil tanks? Are they corrosion-proof? Are you being offered any sort of rebate or no-cost loan to comply? Do you know the age of your present oil tank, and who manufactured it? If you know, did it come with any warranties?
posted on February 12, 2004 01:30:54 PM new
It's stupid to bury a steel oil tank.
You know it is going to rust from the outside if not from the inside if water pools in the bottom. I have had oil tanks for heat but they were always above ground.
Lots of gasoline tanks have had to be replaced for the same reason. They leak and pollute the ground water over a huge area.
I once installed gasoline tanks for a county truck garage and wanted to coat the tanks with driveway sealer before they were buried and was not allowed because it was not 'code'. For the same reson I could not use teflon tape on the joints abd had to use lead oxide in oil pipe dope. The openings in the tank for 2" pipe were all full of weld spatter in the threads also. I chased them with a tap but very few pipefitters would bother to do so. The chance of them not slowly leaking is zero.
I also wanted to put gravel around them instead of dirt to allow drainage to reduce corrosion but was told it would cost $75 extra so forget it. How short sighted people are.
posted on February 12, 2004 02:01:30 PM new
Good Lord, it never occurred to me that Canada's homeowner oil tanks might be buried underground! Yes, water table disaster inevitable in that case.
California is a natural gas state as far as heating goes. With, of course, rural exceptions where above-ground propane tanks are used.
Gasoline stations anymore are constructed in a hurry, operate for a decade (at most) then one day they're simply gone -- overnight -- and the property is cordoned off with chainlink fencing for a long time. Presumably, the gas storage tanks are removed when the station itself is levelled.
My best (male) buddy is a plumber, Gravid. You guys would enjoy swapping horror stories from the Trade...
posted on February 12, 2004 02:55:32 PM new
This info came from my oil service. They will be mailing everyone notices when it takes effect, so I don't know a lot yet, other than costs, Pat. I'm mad because this will be manditory. I'm already paying an extra $65.00 every 2 month to hydro (electricity) because we all inherited their deficit. That amount will will be billed to everyone until the debt is paid.
Rebate??? LMAO!!!!
You can't have a buried oil tank here () - it has to be in your basement on cement. Mine is about 22 years old and in perfect condition. I believe the cut-off date is 10 years old, but that's just heresay.
Is Canada just doing this to help the oil distributors? Heating oil is at an all time low here, so it makes me wonder.
posted on February 12, 2004 03:16:58 PM new
Wow, I would've thought "far-sighted" Canada would offer rebates on something they've made mandatory!
Here in California, consumers are being begged to upgrade their washing machines, and we get substantial dollars-off at the retail cash registers for buying "Energy Star" appliances ( -some rating system Pacific Gas & Electric, our primary energy supplier here, came up with to denote energy-efficient refrigerators, dishwashers, etc. ) or we get a rebate directly from PG&E. We also get a break on swapping-out our wattage-guzzling lightbulbs for more efficient flourescent ones. And we get a break if we replace our rotting casement windows with Low-E double-pane ones...
posted on February 12, 2004 03:26:10 PM new
Are you out west, Kiara? I always thought you were in Windsor (Ontario) for some reason and thought it was neat to have a poster live so close - what an airhead I am!! Are you in BC??
I've got a natural gas pipeline, but haven't switched because oil has remained so inexpensive. So far, I've used about $500.00 worth of oil this season and it's been really cold! Also, I think I'm starting to get hot flashes, so that's helped with the heating bill!
posted on February 12, 2004 04:02:20 PM new
I'm having second thoughts about Twelvepole, KC, even though I've put a lot of work into our relationship. I even had the wedding planned and was going to have Gravid sing 'Muskrat Love' at the moment we were announced man & wife.
Why are you so concerned anyway? Are you hitting on me, KC??
posted on February 12, 2004 04:35:40 PM new
Muskrat love - the horror. I don't twitter very well.
Plumbing is what makes civilization. Everything else is frosting on the cake.
You have to replace above ground tanks that can be visually inspected? Somebody just bribed their way into a selling bonanza. Time to do the switch to gas rather than pay for a tank.
posted on February 12, 2004 04:49:38 PM new Can someone tell me how the inside of an oil tank can get corroded?
All underground tanks can and do over time rust away. Thats why gas stations use the new 'plastic' ones as moisture can not harm them. Corrosion works from the outside till there is a fracture in the tank.Then you get leaks.
Even above ground tanks will wear out given enough time but last way longer as moisture does dry off them faster.
I know some people have their oil tanks in their basements where they stay dry without any corrosion problems.
Gas, oil makes no differance if they are made out of metal
Check out any rebates from the gov. or gas company. They do offer deals like that all over north america.
posted on February 12, 2004 05:11:52 PM new
hahaha, I am now off in my head imagining Gravid 'twittering' while seating a new toilet. The man of my dreams, I tell ya! But, I digress...
Really, Krafty, since this mandatory tank replacement is going to cost you a pretty penny, look into it; find out which company got the (government) contract to manufacture these millions of tanks and get on the horn to your local politicians. Find out just exactly why your above-ground, stationed-on-concrete tank has been ruled obsolete without an inspection. Scream about it on the relevant Internet Newsgroups, too.
posted on February 12, 2004 05:34:03 PM new
Geez Pat!! You're starting to act like Helen - hogging all the good men. I had dibs on Gravid long before you, you hussy! And KC is out of bounds as well now, but I hear Twelve is up for grabs...
Trai, thanks for the explanation! It's difficult for me to know what to think without any handsome men around.
) - it has to be in your basement on cement. Mine is about 22 years old and in perfect condition. I believe the cut-off date is 10 years old, but that's just heresay.
