Five Reasons to Remove a Commercial Underground Storage Tank

Underground storage tanks (UST) can be a hassle for any property owner. The bigger the property, the more expensive it can be to maintain a UST. This causes business owners to make a decision about whether or not to keep their oil tanks. Going through the process of oil tank removal is not easy or cheap but it can be sufficiently better than waiting until the oil tank fails. Below, we have outlined five reasons why you should and need to remove your commercial UST.

It’s Too Old

Like with almost anything, oil tank technology has improved with time. Oil tanks made today are much safer and secure than they were 30 years ago. If your oil tank is decades old, it’s time to take it out of the ground. USTs are now strictly regulated because the old tanks keep failing and causing severe environmental issues. If your oil tank is from the 1970s or earlier, you should have it removed as soon as possible. These tanks are specifically dangerous to your property because of their lack of safety features. For example, they only have single-wall steel and they can no longer be monitored or operated correctly.

It’s Not Being Used

If you have no use for your oil tank, then it’s causing more harm than good. USTs are a huge environmental hazard and they are often forgotten about. If you are not using your UST, it is even more likely that you forget about it. This can result in the tank not being properly monitored for leaks and can cause your property extensive damage down the road.

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You’re Selling the Property

USTs are not a feature new buyers are looking for. If you’re selling your business, it would be wise to have your oil tank removed for a few reasons. Having a UST on your property brings down the property value. USTs make your property less appealing to potential buyers because they are a hazard and difficult to maintain. Additionally, the new buyer can request you have the tank removed.

It Failed Inspection

Commercial USTs are regulated, registered and monitored. This means that your tank will be inspected to make sure it is running properly and no leaks have occurred. During inspection, the number one thing that will be determined is whether or not water has made its way into the tank. If it has, the water will be removed but it is still a good idea to remove your tank at this point. If water got in the tank before, it will get in again and water is what causes a tank to fail. Water will cause the tank to rust and eventually cause a leak.

The Tank Failed

This means that the UST has leaked or spilled into the ground. At this point, you have no choice but to remove the tank. If you wait until this point to remove your commercial oil tank, it will be the most expensive removal. Not only will you have to remove your tank, but your property will have to undergo the process of site remediation. This is a process in which authorizes make sure all the oil that has spilled into the soil is removed. It is a lengthy and expensive process. Additionally, if oil leaked so far into the soil that it affects the ground water, your property will have to undergo inspections for years.

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Don’t wait to get started with your commercial UST removal process. The process is regulated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) so a strict timeline is enforced. Waiting until the last minute or until it’s too late will only cost you more. We can help you get started right away so feel free to contact us for help.

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