Written on: June 22, 2021
Our customers often ask us to hold off on making summer deliveries to their oil tank. It makes sense; you are not consuming a lot of oil in the summer, so why fill your tank?
Empty space in your heating oil tank is a perfect place for condensation to collect. If you leave room in the tank, water vapor from ambient air will condense on the interior walls. Eventually, the condensation settles at the bottom of your tank. This causes an ideal environment for bacteria and sediment to develop, which leads to corrosion. Corrosion can lead to tank failure, which is expensive.
Sludge is another problem that gets its start from condensation. Sludge is the breakdown of the oil molecules that reconnect at the bottom of the tank. Water promotes the breakdown of the oil molecules. Preventing sludge avoids many unexpected no heat calls.
Keeping your heating oil tank full over the summer prevents condensation from developing. This not only protects you from damage caused by sludge or corrosion, but it also helps your heating oil tank last longer.
While the service technician routinely inspects your oil tank during every service call, it is a good idea for the homeowner to check the tank as well periodically.
A simple homeowner inspection asks three questions:
1. Are the tank legs in poor condition? (Bent, leaning, missing)
2. Are there any signs of wetness or weeping at the bottom of the tank?
3. Is there a heavy oil smell in the area of the tank?
If you answer YES to any of these questions, you should contact us to have a technician perform a more in-depth inspection of your tank and its associated piping.
Enjoy your summer, and remember You Can Believe in Santa!