Oil Tank Sweep in Hudson County, NJ
Don't Take the Risk. Call ATS and Schedule a Sweep Today.
A knowledgable Hudson County real estate professional will recommend getting an oil tank sweep before buying a property. ATS has searched hundreds of properties in the county.
Oil Tank Sweeps in Hudson County, NJ
An oil tank sweep, also commonly referred to as a tank scan, is a home inspection done to find an undisclosed buried oil tank in your property. The liability associated with underground heating oil tanks (USTs) is fairly well known to most buyers and sellers today and is becoming more common in the real estate sales process.
However, many Hudson County property owners have been surprised to find out that they have a buried oil tank on their property although they did not install it. Historically, homes built prior to the 1960s used oil to heat up their homes. Thus, properties built in that era have a high probability of an oil tank being present.
These older oil tank-powered homes are classified into two categories:
- Old property with a properly decommissioned oil tank.
- Old property with an abandoned oil tank.
Fortunately, most oil tanks we encounter in Hudson County have been properly decommissioned. However, buying a property with an abandoned oil tank, or one that was not decommissioned properly, can be a major financial liability. Abandoned tanks can leak and contaminate the property, making the owner responsible for cleanup costs that can range from hundreds to thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. Homes with buried oil tanks, or without proof of having a tank removed, are difficult to sell in Hudson County as a result of these commonly known risks.
What Causes an Oil Tank to Leak?
Almost any old oil tank will eventually leak, but some factors that go into this include:
- Improper installation
- Age of the tank
- Corrosion of materials
- Mechanical failure such as faulty valves
- Overfilling
Reasons to Get an Oil Tank Sweep in Hudson County
In addition to the reasons explained above, some concerns involved with buried oil tanks include:
Bank and Mortgage Requirements
Many banks and mortgage companies insist that an oil tank sweep in Hudson County, NJ be performed in order to approve your home loan. Additionally, real estate professionals often require a scan to be done before they agree to list and sell your property.
Liability
As outlined earlier, an abandoned oil tank can be a major financial liability and if it’s your property, then it’s your problem. You are responsible for any or all damages, cleanup, and potential lawsuits that result from a leaking oil tank. Local construction permits are required and a certified laboratory must test the soil to ensure cleanup methods were successful. Groundwater investigation and cleanup may also be required.
Fire Hazard
In some situations, it’s not the oil leaking from the underground oil tank, it’s vapors. This can create a hazardous situation as it can lead to combustion and fire when it enters the buildings
Environmental Damage
Leaking oil from the tanks can seep into the nearby water supply, aquifers, and other neighboring properties. It could also damage the soil and groundwater. The price for this cleanup can run into millions. Contaminated soil disposal is often the biggest part of the budget. Cleanup costs could add up as you may require removing the tank and following NJDEP regulations regarding site remediation. You will need to hire a soil remediation company to handle that matter.
Health Concerns
Home heating oil contains many ingredients that are carcinogenic. So, leaking vapors can cause numerous ailments such as nausea, vomiting, and other respiratory diseases. The local Hudson County health department might also have to be called in.
No Insurance Coverage
Most of the insurance expressly exclude underground oil tanks from coverage. Cleanup costs can range from $4,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the extent of the leak and the damages associated. In Hudson County, NJ, state financial assistance is currently unavailable.
Call Experienced Hudson County Oil Tank Sweep Pros
When getting an oil tank sweep in Hudson County, NJ, it is essential that you hire a company with experience. ATS technicians are extensively trained to detect underground oil tanks and understand the various methods used in scanning for an oil tank in Hudson County. We are familiar with each Hudson County municipality and any rules or permitting that would be involved in searching for a tank. We have performed hundreds of oil tank sweeps in Hudson County in towns including Bayonne, East Newark, Guttenberg, Harrison, Hoboken, Jersey City, Kearny, Secaucus, Union City and West New York.
Why Use ATS For This Service
20 Years of Experience
ATS has performed more than 25,000 search services for clients in the past 20 years.
Certified and Highly Trained Experts
ATS sends highly trained experts that carry special inductive and conductive locators (sophisticated metal detectors) and probes that can identify tanks buried underground or beneath driveways.
Detailed Reporting
Our report includes detailed site findings and recommends the steps you should follow to avoid inheriting a potential environmental problem. In addition, our field experts will physically mark the area at the property if it presents a potential environmental risk.
Related Services
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Corrosion Testing
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