Another oil tank question (insurance, house, buyers)

[rslyn]

We just received confirmation that the seller has agreed to remove the decommissioned underground oil tank (and I'm sending them Wiley's contact info!). Now what? How do we know if it will be done correctly? Should we schedule a soil sample for the same day the tank is removed?

Thanks for any advice.

[Lusitan]

Yes -- you should hire your own soil testing firm to perform soil tests, ideally (although not necessarily) the same day the tank is removed.

That's great that Wiley's firm might take care of the removal. I don't think they do testing, but I have used ATS Environmental for soil testing before, there are others out there I'm sure (ATS doesn't do tank removal or remediation, so in theory they do not have a conflict of interest and no reason to give false dirty results):

Tank testing by ATS Environmental for residential and commercial underground heating oil tank underground storage tank soil testing serving new jersey new york delaware pennsylvania and massachusetts for geoprobe & NJ oil tank program, leak detection

Not sure what areas they cover -- what town is this in? Also, different counties/towns may have paperwork requirements in terms of what needs to be done when a tank is removed, if you're proactive you can try to stay on top of that even though technically it's the seller's responsibility ... again, depends on the town I think.

Wiley might have other suggestions for testing companies, but it's smart of you to have all this lined up ahead of time. I would also suggest that, if possible, you be there to see what's going on for the removal, and at least be there when the soil testing is done so you can speak directly with the testing guy.

[rslyn]

Thanks, Lusitan!

[wileynj]

Originally Posted by rslyn

We just received confirmation that the seller has agreed to remove the decommissioned underground oil tank (and I'm sending them Wiley's contact info!). Now what? How do we know if it will be done correctly? Should we schedule a soil sample for the same day the tank is removed?

Thanks for any advice.

I had a feeling that phone call was associated with your purchase . I returned the realtors call but I haven't heard back from her yet. And for the record, we do post removal soil sampling but we don't do pre-removal soil sampling. A sample once the tank is removed is a good idea. This way, when and if you ever sell the house, you'll have documentation that the soil was fine vs. a "sticker" from the local inspector

[Kappy]

Check with the local township inspectors office; some require there own inspection as part of the certificate of occupancy.

[castorfox]

In New Jersey the Uniform Construction Code requires a permit be applied for and an inspection performed for tank removal or abandonment. Please note that if you apply (Most likely the contractor) for a permit to remove a tank and the tank is removed and inspector documents it, then you have achieved approval on a local level regarding the inspection. Meaning you said you were going to remove a tank, you did and it was inspected by the contruction or fire official. IT DOES NOT MEAN THE TANK DID NOT LEAK, as this is not the direct responsibility of the township to inspect for leakage.

[Kappy]

Originally Posted by castorfox

In New Jersey the Uniform Construction Code requires a permit be applied for and an inspection performed for tank removal or abandonment. Please note that if you apply (Most likely the contractor) for a permit to remove a tank and the tank is removed and inspector documents it, then you have achieved approval on a local level regarding the inspection. Meaning you said you were going to remove a tank, you did and it was inspected by the contruction or fire official. IT DOES NOT MEAN THE TANK DID NOT LEAK, as this is not the direct responsibility of the township to inspect for leakage.

I guess each township is very different. When I sold my house it was required that a test be done on the tank to see if it was leaking. I could not sell the house if this was not done. I paid for the test & all was okay, then the buyers couldn't get home insurance with an oil tank & I had to remove it. The township required there own inspection of the removed tank before it was taken away.

[FBone]

Oil tanks are like enriched plutonium ... radioactive disaster waiting to happen.

[actank]

The contractor that removes the tank should send the soil samples from the tank pit area to a laboratory for analysis. If the samples come back in the acceptable range that is the only proof you need. Also if you are present you will be able to see and smell if the tank pit area contains petroleum.