Back in the day, we didn’t have the convenience of magical gas lines that appeared out of nowhere, next to our house to fuel our homes. As a Seattle area Home Inspector, I often find myself inspecting old homes that didn’t have the convenience of gas lines when they were built. In many of these homes I find old, abandoned oil tanks. What to do with them is a question that could make or break your deal. If you are looking at a home with an oil tank, you’ll want to follow these steps:
- 1. Educate. Learn the requirements for the jurisdiction. A permit may be required to decommission or remove and old tank.
- 2. Understand: Know the process of decommissioning and removal. Decommissioning means to clean the interior of the tank and fill with sand or foam. Remove is self explanatory and can be costly, especially if soil has be contaminated.
- 3. Decide. Choose the process that best fits your needs. Cost, age of the tank among others should be considered.
- 4. Contact a licensed professional. Get quotes to do the work. A minimum of three quotes is recommended. A simple internet search can assist with this.
- 5. Execute. Have the work done and make sure the proper documentation is received.
Below are some additional resources including a link to the Washington State Pollution Liability Insurance Agency which offers $60,000 worth of coverage at NO COST to the owner. Feel free to contact Mountains to Sound Home Inspection for more information.
- http://www.seattle.gov/fire/fmo/firecode/CAM/5962CAM%20DecommisionOilTanks.pdf
- http://www.seattle.gov/fire/fmo/permits/permitFAQ.htm#18
- http://www.plia.wa.gov/
