Inspection Services » Oil Tank Inspection

Oil Tank Inspection

There are several methods to inspect an underground oil tank to determine if it is leaking. A leaking tank may cause serious contamination to the soil and be very expensive to mitigate. In some cases, the EPA may need to be notified if the leakage is significant. Consult your Attorney to determine all details and EPA testing requirements prior to closing.

Types of Under Ground Oil Tank Inspections:

Tracer Testing

• 10- to 14-day turnaround.
• Ineffective for high water tables & clay soil.
• Cannot distinguish a leak in the tank from a leak in the piping.

Volume Testing

• Must overfill tank with oil.
• Susceptible to vapor pockets which distort data and may give false results.
• Cannot distinguish a leak in the tank from a leak in the piping.
• Test may cause oil spillage into ground.

Air Pressure

• The pressure applied may damage tank.
• Banned in most states.
• Cannot distinguish a leak in the tank from a leak in the piping.

Vacuum Testing

• Possible risk of damaging the tank.
• Not effective in clay soil.

Soil Sampling

• Soil core sampling is not effective as a stand alone test.
• Most companies offering this test are in the business of removing tanks, not testing them.

PT-1000/ Under Fill Method

• Test results in 2 hours.
• Not affected by high water tables and/or clay soil.
• Can distinguish a leak in the tank from a leak in the pipe.
• No need to fill tanks with oil.
• Not susceptible to vapor pockets.
• No danger of spilling oil into the ground.
• No danger of damaging the Tank.
• Approved in all States by the U.S. EPA.
• Effective in all soils.
• Uses core sampling only to determine ground contamination, not the integrity of the tank.
• Has no affiliation with tank removal companies.