This customer in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland, developed a severe split shortly after filling their old oil tank completely. The tank was estimated to be 15-20 years old.

The customer was grateful we attended as promptly as we could, and was shocked at how quickly their 'old reliable' oil tank became a very serious problem very quickly. Do not put yourself in this scenario!

Age is a very important factor when considering upgrading your old oil tank with a new oil tank. Increasingly, home insurance companies are asking homeowners to have an annual inspection of their oil tank by an OFTEC Trained Oil Heating Engineer (such as The Oil Tank Doc) citing it is acceptable before renewing the policy. 

Why? Because old tanks have been victim to sun damage, heat, and base subsidence over time. This all adds up and an old tank that 'looks fine' or 'doesn't leak', can very quickly become a problem. We've seen it many times. Replace your oil tank before it leaks instead of replacing it when it leaks. That way you won't deal with a costly oil spill at the same time.

Poor base support results in uneven weight distrubution when your oil tank is full. An oil tank that stores 1000 litres of oil equals 1 tonne. This can result in bulging, deformation, and increased stress on the plastic. Over time with strong sunlight and warm temperatures, your oil tank's life expectancy can be halved easily.

UV rays from the sun damages your oil tank, resulting in the plastic becoming brittle as it is broken down. New tanks have UV stablisiers added to the plastic to try and prevent this, but ensuring your oil tank can still be easily inspected, but at the same time shielded from sunlight is important.

Summers in Northern Ireland and across the UK are increasing in duration, temperature, and UV ray exposure. Oil tanks when warmed during the daylight expand, and when temperatures cool they contract. When plastic is brittle and sun-damaged, it loses it's plasticity, meaning it cannot expand and contract but instead splits.

Cold and freezing temperatures like warm temperatures, can result excess wear and tear on your old oil tank. Cracks and splits can form in extremes of both temperatures, with a 15+ year old oil tank suspectible to both.

Unfortunately we encounter oil tanks that have not been installed correctly in accordance with manufacturer's & OFTEC recommendations. Whilst some criteria can be difficult to meet in small properties, it is still essential to ensure you have a good solid base that will not subside, alongside ensuring the tank is supported across it's length and width, with 300mm clearance all around.

This photo was sent to us by a plumbing colleague. As can be seen the tank has not been set on a suitable base, with blocks on grass that will subside over time. The tank also does not have suitable base support with an overhang of the tank exceeding the base, it should be the base exceeding the tank.

We spend a lot of our time rectifying 'the cheaper quote'.