Oil Tank Emergency or Oil Spill? Call 028 9131 4041 for a 24/7 response
Do you have a leaking oil tank near Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland?
Don't delay contact The Oil Tank Doc now
24/7 emergency response for all leaking oil tanks across all of Northern Ireland
Bangor Road, Newtownards, BT23 7BY
📞 028 9131 4041
📞 07549 211 090
Our team was called to the Shore Road area in Newtownabbey by a customer to respond to a leaking oil tank. The customer had a 1100 litre slimline oil tank that had developed a split (bottom right of the image).
The only option in this situation is a brand new oil tank. There were a few fissures/cracks on the tank. We quickly transferred the oil into a temporary transfer tank and fitted a new oil tank.
Here is a close up of the oil tank that had started leaking in Newtownabbey. When we spoke to the customer on the phone we advised for them to try rubbing a bar of soap into the crack to stem the flow of oil. This provided a temporary relief whilst we transferred the oil into a new oil tank.
The oil tank was approximately 20 years old and even at this age without any splitting or cracks we would advise a new oil tank to be fitted regardless.
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 Newtownabbey, 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 Newtownabbey, 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 028 9131 4041
A regular inspection of your oil tank and heating system by an OFTEC Trained Oil Heating Engineer reduces the risk of an oil tank leak
We recommend planning an oil tank replacement and changing your oil tank when it is still sound with no leaks - most of the time however we replace oil tanks that have already started leaking! It is best to avoid this if possible.