Oil Tank Leak in Comber

Do you have a leaking oil tank in Comber, Northern Ireland? 

Don't delay contact The Oil Tank Doc now on 07549 211 090 

24/7 emergency response for all leaking oil tanks across Northern Ireland including Newtownards, Bangor, Holywood, Belfast, Comber, and further afield

A leaking oil tank is an emergency and can become a major environmental event if not dealt with promptly or effectively. Most cases if caught early do not require excavation and removal of contaminated soil.

Do not delay in contacting The Oil Tank Doc if you are based in Comber, Northern Ireland and you suspect an oil spill/leak 

•  If there’s a strong smell of oil in your home, ventilate the area by opening windows and doors and contact the environmental health department at your local authority for advice.

•  Keep children and pets away from any spills.

•  Avoid getting oil on your skin and clothing.

•  Wash your hands and don’t smoke, eat or drink when or after you are in contact with the oil.

•  Switch off your oil supply at the tank.

•  Try to find out where the leak is coming from.

•  Immediately, try to stop it at the source. Put a bucket under dripping oil to catch it (don’t use containers that will be used to store food for humans or animals).

•  Prevent spilled oil from spreading and, in particular, prevent it from getting into drains and waterways. Use absorbing material such as earth, sand, cat litter or commercial products.

•  If there’s an ongoing leak from the tank, try to stem the flow. For example, you may be able to use sealant to temporarily repair a metal tank. For plastic tanks, try rubbing a bar of soft soap into the split.

•  Try to establish how much oil has been lost; check the level on the tank and think about how much you use and when you last had a delivery

•  Never use detergents or a hose to wash the spill away.

•  Store anything with oil on it or soaked into it in containers that don’t leak until it can be correctly and
  legally disposed of.

Does Home Insurance cover oil tank leaks in Northern Ireland?

Does home insurance cover oil tank leaks? With the correct policy yes you are covered. However, there are circumstances where an insurance claim for an oil spill may be invalid. Different insurance policies have various levels of coverage, and there may be capped limitations on the amount the insurance company will pay towards an oil spill.

The average cost of cleaning up a domestic oil spill is upwards of £30,000, and this cost can increase if the environment or your neighbours’ property/land is also affected. It is essential to ensure that you have the right insurance coverage in place in case your oil tank ever leaks.

Is your oil tank leaking or have you discovered an oil spill? If you reside in Northern Ireland, contact The Oil Tank Doc today on 07549 211 090

Why has my oil tank developed a split and started leaking?

Most oil tanks that leak are 10-15 years of age and are single skin oil tanks. This means that if a split does develop, the oil will most likely seep into the ground. It may go unnoticed for a significant period of time, especially if your oil tank is in a remote location or not checked regularly.

As can be seen in the picture above this shows a cut up single skin oil tank. The main reason for oil tanks that develop a leak is due to overfilling, poor base support, and being in a location that gets intense UV rays from the sunlight.

These factors when accumulated result in an oil tank that may have half its expected life expectancy. This is not the case with new double skin oil tanks. The outer plastic shields the inner tank from sunlight damage. You can think of these oil tanks as a 'tank within a tank'. They are more expensive than a single skin oil tank but last significatly longer. 

In most cases all domestic and commercial settings will require a bunded oil tank.

Is your oil tank leaking or have you discovered an oil spill? If you reside in Northern Ireland, contact The Oil Tank Doc today on 07549 211 090