With winter approaching, now’s a good time to make sure your heating oil supply is up to scratch – nobody wants to wake up to a cold house or arrive at a cold workplace because the heating has packed up!
Using our informative guide as a checklist for preparing ahead of the frosts can protect you against nasty surprises and avoid the headaches and costs of emergency repairs.
Why It’s Important to Prepare Your Oil Tank for Winter
If you’re one of the approximately 1.5 million UK households and unknown number of businesses that rely on oil-fired heating, you’ll be well aware of the misery that a malfunctioning or empty oil tank can bring during the cold months of winter.
Your heating may have been idle or running lightly during the summer, but as it starts to respond to cold days and colder nights, weaknesses and problems will be exposed. Now, after several months of focusing on staying cool, it’s important to make sure you’re ready for the winter; not only for your comfort, but also for your safety and the efficiency of your heating system.
Annual Oil Tank Inspections
We all know how important it is to have your boiler regularly checked and serviced; the same applies to your oil tank. It generally makes sense to have your tank inspected by an OFTEC-approved contractor at the same time as your annual boiler service.
If your business premises are heated by oil, annual oil tank inspections are often a legal requirement and can affect your commercial insurance policy. During an oil tank inspection, a professional contractor will check for water ingress, sludge accumulation and other potential issues that could disrupt your heating system.
Regular Oil Tank Checks
In addition to the annual inspections, you should carry out regular checks of your own at least twice a year. These shouldn’t take long, and detecting a problem early can prevent costly repairs down the line.
While an annual professional service is crucial, there are also some regular checks you can perform yourself to keep an eye on your tank’s health. Look out for signs like rust or cracks in steel tanks, bulging or splitting in plastic tanks, and ensure all fittings, hoses, and gauges are secure and functioning correctly.
Common Issues to Look Out For:
· Water in the bund or tank
If you have a bunded oil tank, check there is no water in the bund (the containment area between the inner and outer tanks). Water can also get into the oil supply, and as it is heavier than oil, it will sink to the bottom of the tank. In both instances, a drain valve should allow you to drain the water off, leaving the bund dry and the oil free of water contamination.
· Rust or cracks in steel tanks
Rust is the eternal enemy of steel. External rust is generally detected quite easily and if caught early, the rust can be removed and the area neutralised and protected with fresh paint.
Internal rust is harder to detect, which is why it’s important to regularly drain off any water from the bund and tank.
Cracks can appear in steel tanks for several reasons including untreated rust, thermal expansion and contraction, material fatigue and physical damage. In most instances, cracking is a sign that the tank needs to be replaced.
· Bulging or splits in plastic tanks
Plastic oil tanks also deteriorate over time. Repetitive overfilling of a plastic tank can cause it to bulge with the excess weight of the oil and eventually lead to splitting. As with steel tanks, fluctuating temperatures can also cause plastic tanks to split, while tanks exposed to sunlight can suffer UV degradation of the plastic, making it brittle and more susceptible to cracking. Again, these are all signs that a plastic tank is approaching the end of its lifespan and will need to be replaced.
· Loose or leaking fittings and hoses
Loose fittings will start to leak oil and could fail completely. If they are simply loose, tightening them may solve the problem, but check for cracks, stripped threads and other signs of wear that show the fittings need to be replaced. Hoses will deteriorate over time, with perishing being the main cause of leaks. Check also for splits or other damage and replace hoses where necessary.
· Faulty gauges
A faulty gauge will give you a false reading of how much oil your tank contains, leading to your unexpectedly running out of fuel. How you check a gauge for faults depends on the type of gauge.
A good indicator that a gauge is faulty is if the oil level fails to drop when the system is running. Using a dipstick to manually check the oil level and compare this with the reading on the gauge to see if it is correct.
If it isn’t, start with a visual inspection; is the glass or plastic face cracked, fogged or filled with condensation?
Float gauges can become jammed by sludge in the tank. Gently tap the gauge or move the float to see if the needle moves. If it doesn’t, the gauge may be broken or blocked.
If you have a digital or wireless gauge, check the electrical connections and sensor, replace batteries in a wireless gauge and confirm the transmitter is working.
· Cracks or subsidence in the base of the tank
An oil tank should be positioned on a stable, level base to ensure it is supported evenly across its entire footprint and to prevent lateral straining or shifting. Any signs that the base is deteriorating may indicate that it needs to be reinforced or rebuilt. If left untreated, a deteriorating base will place strain on the tank and shorten its lifespan.
Top Up Your Oil Supply
Heating oil users will soon be rushing to top up their supplies for the winter, and this can lead to a backlog and delays in delivery, shortage of supply and higher prices. Buying your oil early will ensure you get it at a good price – you could even consider joining a local oil-buying club to get better prices – and don’t suddenly run out.
Protect Your Oil Tank from Theft
Heating oil theft is a crime that’s on the rise, particularly in rural areas and from sites that are abandoned overnight and at weekends. The winter only makes theft easier, as the colder weather keeps people indoors for longer and the extended nights provide cover for criminals as they siphon off the oil. There are, however, simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of theft.
Simple Steps to Safeguard Your Oil:
· Oil Filler Cap Lock
One of the easiest and most effective ways to secure your tank is by fitting a lock to the filler cap. This simple addition can deter thieves looking for an easy target.
· Motion-Sensor Lighting
Installing lights that activate with movement can be an excellent way to scare off would-be thieves, as a well-lit area is far less attractive for criminals to operate in. Ensure the lights are bright enough to wake you (or alert passersby if the property is unoccupied) as dim lighting will only make it easier for the criminals to see their way around without detection.
· CCTV and Security Alarms
Adding CCTV cameras or security alarms can further protect your tank and act as a strong deterrent. Some homeowners opt for cameras that send alerts to their phones if any movement is detected, giving an extra layer of protection. Even if the thieves get away with some fuel, a high-definition camera should be able to provide evidence to identify and prosecute them.
· Regularly Check Your Oil Levels
If your oil levels suddenly drop without explanation, this could be a sign that fuel has been stolen. Monitoring your levels closely, particularly after a cold snap or periods of bad weather, can alert you to any suspicious activity. The oil level will also drop at a faster rate than usual if it is being siphoned off, so installing an oil level alarm to your tank will automatically alert you to criminal activity.
Taking these precautions ensures that your heating oil is protected against theft, giving you one less thing to worry about during the winter months. If you’re unsure about how secure your oil tank is, now’s the time to assess it and make the necessary upgrades.
Why Now Is the Best Time to Replace Your Tank
While it may be tempting to delay replacing your heating oil tank for as long as possible to save money, if your regular checks have highlighted signs of deterioration, replacing your tank before it fails will save you money in terms of wasted fuel and intermediate repairs. A burst oil tank is also an environmental issue that could affect the quality of your soil and even land you a hefty fee for professional clean-up services and fines for environmental contamination.
But there are three other reasons why this time of year is the best time to replace your oil tank.
· Avoid the Cold Snap
After expanding during the hot summer months, the winter could literally bring a cold snap to your tank. Steel and Plastic oil tanks can only endure so much thermal expansion and contraction, and after the hot summer that we’ve just enjoyed, a cold winter could be the death toll for your tank. If it’s approaching the end of its estimated lifespan, it might be a wise move to replace it now.
· Be Heat-Efficient
Upgrading to a modern, more efficient tank before winter ensures your heating system will run smoothly and economically. Old oil tanks invariably accumulate sludge from contamination, inner corrosion and water ingress, so a new tank will give your heating system a fresh start.
· Beat the Rush
Autumn is typically a quieter time of year for oil tank suppliers and installation engineers, so you are more likely to get a better deal on a new tank, see your order processed faster and have the tank installed sooner before the winter workload increases.
Contact Tanks-UK for All Your Winter-Ready Oil Tank Needs
Don’t wait until the cold weather truly sets in to check your oil tank. Whether you need to order a replacement tank, purchase oil tank accessories, or secure your tank against theft, Tanks-UK is here to help. We offer a wide range of high-quality oil tanks and accessories, along with expert advice to keep your heating system running smoothly all winter long.
Get in touch with Tanks-UK today to discuss your options, arrange a service, or secure a great deal on a replacement tank. Make sure your oil tank is ready to face the winter with confidence!