Oil tank cleaning involves removal of sludge, water, and other contaminants from your oil tank. The primary reason oil becomes contaminated is from water ingress - usually due to condensation or direct infiltration through open apertures i.e., lid being left of oil tank, splits or cracks allowing water to enter. Condensation usually happens over a long period of time.

When water enters oil, this allows opportunity for microbial growth (bacteria), yeast, and spores of fungi. This can create a 'bloom' or 'flora' in your oil tank, something we frequently see during oil tank decommissioning. By the time your oil supply has accrued a significant quantity of this spore, bacteria, or flora, your oil tank is either very dirty, very old (over 10-15 years of age), or both. In which case we always recommend a new oil tank.

If you have recently got a fill of oil and your heating engineer has advised contamination issues, this is something we are experts in. Should your oil tank meet any of the replacement criteria, we will advise you on the best steps forward. We are always able to salvage a significant quantity of oil in most cases.

However, if your oil tank is run very low prior to your oil tank replacement, this runs the risk of introducing contaminated fuel into your new tank. The risk-benefit of receiving 50-150 litres of oil into your new tank versus contaminating your new tank is not a risk we would take. Typically most homeowners always significantly overestimate or underestimate their oil level when asked how full is their oil tank.