Oil Tank Emergency or Oil Spill? Call 028 9131 4041 for a 24/7 response
Are you concerned about water in your oil tank?
Don't delay contact The Oil Tank Doc now for water removal services
We have oil tank engineers covering all of Northern Ireland
24/7 emergency response for all leaking oil tanks across all of Northern Ireland
Bangor Road, Newtownards, BT23 7BY
📞 07549 211 090
📞 028 9131 4041
Water can enter a tank through a number of ways: direct rainwater infiltration through a crack, open aperture on the top of the tank, or missing lid.
Another way is through the process of condensation. If you do not keep your oil tank consistently full, you are increasing the slack space. This is the total space minus current oil capacity. This provides more opportunity for the process of condensation to occur, resulting in water in the oil.
It is important to ensure your oil boiler has a clean supply of oil to function correctly. Water and oil are different densities, with oil floating on top of water. They do not mix. When the quantity of water in a tank reaches a level were it covers the outlet, the oil will never reach this level and removal is required.
The presence of water in oil encourages bacteria to form. This does not occur in oil. Over time this leads to sludge, sediment, and a spore forming in the oil. This leads to a contaminated fuel supply.
The Oil Tank Doc is proud to offer a water removal service for oil tanks across Northern Ireland. In certain instances however such as when your tank is over 15 years old, has numerous cracks, bulges, or shows UV deterioration, a replacement oil tank may be the best and most cost-effective solution. Water removal is included when we fit a new oil tank and transfer your old oil into the new oil tank.
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 Northern Ireland and are concerned about water in your oil tank
Oil Leak Emergency Advice
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 028 9131 4041 or 07549 211 090
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.