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Services

Filco Environmental Oil Tank Services

Was Your House Built Before 1965 or Do You Have Gas or Electric Heat?

Chances are that you may have an abandoned heating underground storage oil tanks on your property. The Washington State law states that underground heating oil tanks must be decommissioned. Effective June 30, 1995, WAC54 -34-6106. “Tanks and piping serving oil-burning equipment which shall be removed from service for a period of one year shall be removed from the ground or abandoned in place in accordance with Section 7902.1.7 of this code.”

According to current environmental law, a homeowner can be held liable for any contamination resulting from a leaking home heating oil tank. There is no statute of limitations on this liability. Filco can assist you and minimize your risk exposure.

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Tank Removal

After pumping out the oil, we will excavate and remove your tank. Your tank is then transported off-site to be cut, cleaned and scrapped. The hole in your yard is backfilled and compacted. When possible, the ground cover and/or sod can be reused to restore your property. The advantage of removing your underground oil tank is that you never have to deal with it again. Upon completion, you will receive a Decommissioning Certificate.

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Pump, Clean & Fill

(In Place/Underground Tank Closure) Your tank will be pumped out, triple rinsed and filled with structural foam, sand, or controlled density fill (lean concrete). The fill and vent pipes will be capped and cut off or removed. Upon completion, you will receive a Decommissioning Certificate. The type of fill material used will be based on the tank size, location of the tank on your property and the local requirements of your City.

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Above Ground Tank Removal

After pumping out the oil, your tank is then transported off-site to be cut, cleaned and scrapped. Upon completion, you will receive a Decommissioning Certificate.

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Tank Locating

Tanks, especially inactive tanks, often get covered with plants, decks or patios making them difficult to locate. We visually search the property for a filler pipe or vent pipe to the tank or copper lines in the furnace room. If the above method is not successful, a metal detector is used to attempt to find the fill cap to the tank which is often just below the ground surface. In some circumstances, we may recommend using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) if we’re unable to locate a tank when there is strong evidence that one exists.

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Site Remediation

If petroleum contamination is discovered, cleanup of the petroleum contamination may be needed, depending on the severity. The most common practice to clean up petroleum contaminated soil includes digging the contaminated soil out and replacing it with clean soil. The contaminated soil is taken to an approved facility for disposal and clean fill material is brought in to backfill the excavation. Another method is bio-remediation, where we will inject the ground with oil-eating microbes which may be effective in some situations.

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Soil Testing and Site Charactarization

Filco performs soil tests by using hand auger or a Geoprobe System to retrieve the sample from below or next to the underground storage tank. The test samples are then delivered to an independent, fully accredited, analytical testing laboratory that will test the soil for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons. All test results are provided in a written report.

If soil analysis determines that a leak has occurred, a full Site Characterization can be performed to determine the extent of the release which can help you determine the best approach to addressing the contaminated soil.

A leaking underground oil tank can be one of the most expensive problems that a homeowner can have. While most residential underground heating oil tanks are over 50 years old, not all have leaked and can be decommissioned in place. Tanks suspected of leaking should be removed from the ground rather than abandoned in place. After a tank is removed, leakage can be detected by visual inspection of the tank and soil, or by collecting soil samples for analysis around where the tank was located.

If your tank has leaked, call Filco and we will assist you with possible insurance coverage for the cost of cleanups including Homeowners Insurance and Washington State Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA). Our staff will explain the process step by step and answer all your questions. We will assist you in the process of removing your old oil tank, taking soil samples, remediation, and the replacement of your old oil tank with a new above ground or underground oil tank, if you are still on oil heat.

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Residential Tank Replacement & Installations

(Underground Or Above Ground Oil Tanks)

If you are installing a new tank or replacing an old tank that has failed, Filco can expertly supply all labor and material and permits to install your new tank. We can advise you on the different tank options. After pumping out the oil, we will excavate and remove your tank. Your tank is then transported off-site to be cut, cleaned and scrapped. A new underground storage tank is installed in its place or a new above ground oil tank is installed, both of which would be connected to your furnace. When replacing an existing tank, usable oil will be saved from the old tank and put into the new tank. The hole in your yard is backfilled and compacted. In most cases, the ground cover and/or sod can be reused to restore your property.

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