Sellers Beware – Why You Need to Remove the Oil Tank Before Selling Your Home

Preparing a home for sale is a lengthy job for many homeowners. Paint touch-ups, window cleaning, carpet replacement, and other home improvement jobs pile up on the list. One thing you may need to consider is your underground oil tank. Can you sell a home with an oil tank? Or do you need to look into oil tank removal? Unfortunately, unremoved oil tanks can present significant challenges for both buyers and sellers. 

In order for the sale to go smoothly, you will need to remove the oil tank before putting your home up for sale. If you require professional oil tank removal services, Mikula Contracting will assist you.

What to Know About Unremoved Oil Tanks

If you skip oil tank removal, you leave an item on your property that can create potential problems for property owners. The use of oil tanks to heat the home is outdated, with many homeowners preferring to use gas heaters and modern HVAC systems.

Even an obsolete oil tank poses limitations to potential buyers, leading to difficulties in selling the home. You could progress well into the selling process just to have the buyer demand that you remove the oil tank on a time crunch. 

In addition, most insurance companies have strict policies regarding properties with underground oil tanks, making it challenging for buyers to obtain coverage. By choosing oil tank removal, you eliminate these concerns and make your property more attractive to buyers.

How to Know If You Have an Oil Tank

Before listing your home for sale, determine if you have an oil tank on your property. You may not even know if an oil tank is below the surface of your property, especially if you never had a use for it. Hire a professional to conduct a tank sweep or inspection that can help detect the presence of an underground oil tank. 

Once the oil tank is discovered, it is crucial to assess its condition. Is it empty? Was there an oil leak into the soil? Is the surrounding soil contaminated? Will you be able to remove the tank without contaminating the soil? Identify the leaks, test the surrounding soil, and hire professionals for oil tank removal that will not cause any further issues.

How to Go About Removing an Oil Tank

Oil tank removal is not a DIY job. You must hire competent and experienced contractors who know how to practice safety during the project. Mikula Contracting specializes in oil tank removal and offers comprehensive services to homeowners looking to sell their property. 

The process typically involves the following steps.

1. Site Assessment

Your contractor will identify the underground oil tank and make a plan for oil tank removal. This may require draining the tank, dissembling the tank, and digging a pathway out of your yard.

2. Permitting and Documentation

The contractor will obtain any necessary permits and provide documentation for the tank removal process. These regulations should never be skipped due to safety protocols put in place by the city. Permits are only granted to contractors familiar with oil tank removal and its specific requirements. 

3. Tank Excavation

The tank will be removed using excavating equipment to minimize disruption to the surrounding area. Hire the right contractor who knows how to leave your yard in excellent condition once the tank is removed. 

4. Tank Disposal

The oil tank will be emptied, cleaned, and disposed of in accordance with local regulations. Your contractor will remove the oil tank from the site, so you don’t have to worry about what to do next. 

5. Soil Remediation

If you find soil contamination in the surrounding soil, you will not pass inspections.  You will need to work with an environmental company, and your contractor will conduct soil remediation. This includes cleansing or replacing the soil with clean, natural dirt for growing grass, trees, and vegetation. Once the soil is replaced, more testing occurs to ensure all of the contaminants were removed successfully and the site will need to be inspected again. 

6. Project Completion & Documentation

Once the inspection has passed.  A backfill will be scheduled and completed and the project will wrap up.  You should obtain paperwork regarding the tank removal and keep it with your property documents.  

Revise the property survey to include confirmation that the oil tank was successfully removed on a specific date. Then, you can ensure that potential buyers will not be deterred from the property.

By working with Mikula Contracting, you can ensure a safe and efficient oil tank removal process, giving you peace of mind and making your property more appealing to potential buyers.   

Choose Mikula Contracting for Oil Tank Removal

Broaden your pool of potential buyers by choosing oil tank removal before listing your house for sale. You do not want potential buyers to feel limited by unusable backyard space when they find out an oil tank is underground during the selling process.

Choose Mikula Contracting for oil tank removal, and you can alleviate these concerns and ensure a smooth and successful home-selling experience. Our trusted contractors know what it takes to remove the tank and restore your property to selling condition. Contact us today to learn more.