Cracks in oil tank

Gizit

Had a new oil tank fitted last year and had to get a fill of oil this week. Oilman noticed small cracks on the ridge bits at the top of the tank, only small and I have covered them in duct tape. Do oil tanks come with any guarantee or will I have to pay for a new tank?

Wearb

Post some pics.

It will still be under guarantee, so long as properly installed. There might be a manufatureing date on it. This can be as small as your thumb nail and look like a dial with numbers.

moceri

There should be a date Stamp somewhere on the Tank. Plastic Tanks have a life of 10 to 15 Years.

Your tank should be under warranty if it is only installed a Year from new.

Gizit

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Thanks for replies. Will have a look tomorrow when it's light to see if I can see a manufacture date

Wearb

Do you have a pic of the manner in which it's supported?

Gizit

I don't and it's too dark now but the supports were put in last year concrete plinths and have had them checked and its correctly supported.

Wearb

If they're butted up against each other and extend beyond the base of the tank, then you should be ok for warranty. Having said that, most manfacturers state a solid base, but if as I siad in my first sentence, they would be splitting hairs to refuse warranty.

Post a pic tomorrow.

Gizit

The guy that installed the tank is the local guy the oil companies use so he should know his stuff. When I ordered new tank he was told it needed supports as the old tank was just resting on the ground. Tight month this month so no spare cash to be paying out for unexpected expenses this month. Your guidance has given me pointers if/when a conversation starts about any money involved for the job.

elperello

Once it is properly installed you should have no problem getting it replaced under warranty.

If they don't play ball don't forget that warranties don't trump consumer rights.

Lenar3556

Is that only a year old? A lot of UV degradation visible in the photos for such a short period

andrew1977

Had a similar issue myself a few months back . Oil tank under 12 months became warped / hairline cracks , got it replaced free of charge under warranty and they sent out their own men to transfer the oil into new tank and installation.

Went via the builder providers where I bought it , who in turn got the manufacturer involved . Had read horror stories online about the manufacturer of the tank , but thankfully got sorted .

Gizit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120158668#Comment_120158668

It was installed last May and was supposed to be a brand new tank. The tank is not exposed to sunlight at all it is well shaded. The guy has put it down as an emergency visit so will be interesting conversation when he turns up.

Thank you so much guys you have made me feel empowered to have a robust conversation with him.

Gizit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120157489#Comment_120157489

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Have just been up to the tank and noticed there is a small leak from the pipe leading to the boiler as well. Not a happy bunny this morning!

antoinolachtnai

having been marginally involved in an insurance claim relating to oil, keep moving forward with all speed! Hopefully manufacturer and installer will engage and provide satisfaction. If they don’t I would get a formal statement from the oil supplier of their concerns and get a letter out to manufacturer and installer fast to make sure they are officially on notice.

Wearb

If the manufacturer get pedantic about this, they might be in their rights not to honour this warranty. My biggest concern is (and its difficult to see from those pics) that the lentils are sitting on blocks just thrown on the ground. This might allow some blocks to sink causing a twisting action on the base of the tank.

As said above, engage with the installer and manufacturer (though if installer supplied the tank, then installer should sort it)

Take some better photos, even if only for your own detailed records.

JamesM

As Wearb says, the tank could be twisted, but those cracks are exactly the same as you would see in a much older sun damaged tank.

Jim.

Ger Roe

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120158668#Comment_120158668

That was my first impression too - doesn't look like a new (1 yr old) tank, to me. Some serious sun damage suggested by those pics ... more that you would expect from a new tank, in a year of operation.

As advised in post #14 ... I would move fast, it could split open and then you are in a whole heap of very expensive environmental trouble.

Gizit

Installer was out today. Changed tank over no problems he'd spoken to manufacturer and he couldn't remember if he'd put in lintils. He was relieved to see they were there.

All sorted now so I'm happy bunny again.

Thank you so much for your help guys, this is the first time I've asked for advice from Boardsies and you've all come up trumps.