Oil Tank UV protection

mp3ireland2 · 21-03-2026 04:06PM #1

Hi,

I seem to have damage on the oil tank that was here when we got the house. I think it's about 12 years old.

Little cracks like this on the top. I've put marine weld on them for now.

This one is worse but I think due to the pull on the lid.

It is only the top that seems to be damaged so wondering does anybody use tarp to cover the top? Maybe the new tank will last longer.

A double skinned tank would seem a good solution but fairly pricey

A fence would need to be very high to cover it to the top. Looking for any simple ideas people may have. Maybe newer tanks would have better UV resistance?

Plumber coming to look at replacing tank this week.

Lenar3556 · 22-03-2026 02:34PM

Might just have been a bad tank, UV damage tends to cause more consistent degradation.

What tank is it? Carbury plastics? Their later stuff is usually good. A flat consistent base is very important, a lot of cracking issues stem from a poor base which stresses the tank.

Bunded can be a good solution. It largely eliminates the UV damage risk, but it still needs a sound base. Also the bund needs regular inspection and maintenance - And that is often not done, which limits the benefits of having a bunded tank in the first place.

SupaCat95 · 22-03-2026 03:22PM

Been there done that with myself and the father.

Do the job properly, it will cost you about 400 for a new tank and get another 400ish to get it fitted.

Dont bother with this cheap patch up job, do the right job the first day. Get a good solid base with prestressed concrete.

My father got this warning and he patched it up and it leaked at our home with a 20 year tank. Guide lines for a tank is once it is over 10 years old replace it.

When I got our place, the seller put the tank on bricks to save on oil (drain the oil forward), the stress of the weight cracked the tank over time and it all leaked out. luckily into the nearby alley. Cheap People put oil tanks on blocks thinking they are saving money. If the kerosene had gone under the house it would damaged the foundations and would be a massive insurance job. Still cost me a new tank, and the first €1000 of the insurance pay out.

Thank God for small mercies.

N.B. When you are getting a house survey also get the heating system (Boiler burner, oil tank) examined. I got stung with that.

mp3ireland2 · 22-03-2026 04:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124332264#Comment_124332264

Oh yeah like I said it's getting replaced this week, I'm just not sure it's worth the bunded tank additional cost. Told about €1100 to put in new tank, move over the oil and take away the old one.

What I was wondering was if it looks like UV damage and how I could prevent on the new one.

Yeah I've heard of nightmares where neighbours had to move out for three months and insurance issues as they said the tank wasn't maintained.

We are living in the house 4 years now so the house survey was a long time ago! It probably doesn't make too much difference these days anyway as if you say the boiler isn't in great knick and you wanted a discount, the seller would probably just say no!

mp3ireland2 · 22-03-2026 04:33PM

Yeah it's carbury plastics. I've no way up know the exact age, I'm guessing they might have changed it when they put in the boiler, but maybe it could be older.

I think it's a decent enough base, it's got 4 smooth cement posts or pillars (not sure what the term is) between two little walls.

Does it look like UV damage or is there any way to know. I'm particularly interested in the smaller cracks as these seem to be everywhere. I think as there was a lock on the tank it was pulling the lid away from its attachment point and that was the cause of the big crack.

The little cracks were only on the top surface, couldn't find anywhere else. Maybe ten years or so is all I can expect.

Interesting point about bund inspections to make the double skinned worthwhile.

Wearb · 22-03-2026 08:10PM

Looks like stress damage from either poor support or poor manufacturing.

You can sometimes find a little circle stamped into the tank It will be about the size of a coin and will reveal the date of manufacturing.

Keep the base level. Days of needing a tilt to the back are gone and only create stress on the tank.

SupaCat95 · 22-03-2026 09:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124332425#Comment_124332425

The prestressed pillars sound right. Plastic preforms well in compression but not in tension.

I am getting a bit of cash next year. I am getting an extra tank and building a wooden cover over the two, for security purposes.

SupaCat95 · 22-03-2026 09:59PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124333080#Comment_124333080

The Insurance guy told me he would be out of a job if everyone changed their tanks after 10 years.For the sake of a tank depreciating €100 a year against your house insurance and the value of your house to change to change the tank. Think it was about €7k for a days work plus engineers report for the insurance company.

Wearb · 22-03-2026 11:04PM

The tank needs room around it to enable the technician to inspect it during annual boiler service. Theres also a minimum distance to be maintained between it and combustible materials.

Oil Tank UV protection

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