Leaking oil tank

muppet_man

Hi all,

Is it possible to repair a leaking oil tank? even temporaraly?
A couple of weeks ago I noticed a smell of oil in my back garden. I had a good look around and didn't noticed anything odd. My neighbour had some work done in their house at the time and also an oil delivery so I reckoned they must of spilted some. Today while cutting the grass I noticed oil on the ground around my tank, grass was soaked with it, and a slow constant drip of oil from the concrete ladge it sits on.
When I first noticed the smell my tank was about 3/4 full, it's now about 1/2 full. From that I belive it just to be a pin prick hole.
There's probably about 4-500 liters in it and with no way to remove and store it I was hoping there is a temporary fix so I can use what's left and replace tank then.
I read of temporary patches on some US forums but nowhere else.
I'm sure I'm not the first no here with this. Any help would be great
Thanks

Avns1s

Can you see the actual point it's leaking from?

If you can't then a patch will be sod all use.

If you can see a pinhole, perhaps you can put some silicone on a piece of wood, place it over the hole and jam it so that it can't move. Simply smearing silicone on the pinhole is unlikely to work, IMO.

meercat

this could be a major problem
contact your oil delivery company and they will remove oil for you(for a fee and will return it when you require)
you then need to get a plumber to install a new tank

contact your insurance company asap as this oil disperses into the ground and rapidly spreads ,thus affecting your neighbors property and they can sue you
if you have a well for water then you need to test it
there are threads on boards discussing this already so try the search button also
come back with an update
best of luck

studdlymurphy

If you can see the hole put a screw into it as trying to stick anything to an oily surface likely wont work to well.

Avns1s

studdlymurphy wrote: »

If you can see the hole put a screw into it as trying to stick anything to an oily surface likely wont work to well.

Danger with putting a screw into it as that you make a bad problem worse!

I agree that its hard to get stuff to stick is not easy hence my suggestion of actually forcing silicone into the leak and having something outside that wont allow it out.

This is the way that I sorted a similar problem about a year ago.


@meercat. AFAIK Oil companies can no longer "suck out" the oil. You might be able to come across someone who has a hand or electric pump that could pump your oil into a spare tank while you get a replacement.


On another note, my tank was about 3 years old when it cracked half way up. The manufacturers replaced it the day after it happened.

muppet_man

Avns1s wrote: »

Can you see the actual point it's leaking from?

Only got a quick look before it got dark so won't really know until morning.

After a little bit of looking I found one company that will drain, replace and refill your tank. Will try ringing them as well tomorrow

DGOBS

The only thing you can use is soap, if it's a small leak and you want to get you through until you can get someone out, rub soap into the crack and if your lucky it may seal it

THIS IS ONLY A STOP-GAP SOLUTION

Oil loss into the environment is extremely serious and very very costly to remedy, if your tank shows signs of leakage replace straight away, don't delay

Daisy M

Make sure the leak is from the tank before you go replacing it. We had a leak a few years back it was actually a leak in the connection fitting not the tank, we just had to get a new one didnt cost a lot.

muppet_man

Daisy M wrote: »

Make sure the leak is from the tank before you go replacing it.

Oh it's the tank that's leaking alright. On inspection this morning I found approx 2 inch crack in the tank. No chance of a temporary fixed!
Thankfully a local oil company are linked with a guy who will remove/replace & refill. Just waiting for ring back now

DGOBS

If your tank cracked, ensure the support structure is correct for the tank (mostly they aren't) and a plastic tank should be fully supported 4 inches (100mm) beyond the size of the tank on all sides, with a solid base (no gaps)

redzobo

I have an oil tank its free if you want it, its 1150 litres, good as new (well i broke the gauge ) but the drum itself is in tip top condition.
PM if your interested and Im in Naas

paulhayes13

Oil tank leaks are very dangerous for the environment - In a lot of cases it is the connections to the tank that have become corroded - check all the connections -
I had a leak and called the experts .

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James Bond Junior

You need to watch out for zombies too!

Avns1s

James Bond Junior wrote: »

You need to watch out for zombies too!

And maybe people joining Boards to promote themselves or a mate.