Removing a Heating Oil Tank

NJJoe · Post by **NJJoe** » Mon. Jul. 20, 2015 2:31 pm

Curious about what happens in an oil tank removal scenario. Bought a house with oil boiler and tank in the basement. There are about 50 gallons or so left in the tank so I want to convert to natural gas before I start needing another fuel delivery for the fall/winter heating months.

My question is what happens to the oil in the tank? Do I have to pay for its disposal? Does the disposal company pay me for the oil at the going rate?

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Mon. Jul. 20, 2015 2:52 pm

There is no 'going rate' for oil in an old tank. If someone takes it for free, then you did well. The tanks are usually removed in pieces and that is how the small amount of oil(after pumping out) is soaked up and disposed of. Access is the only determining factor. It takes very little effort to snap off any brass fittings on the bottom, so care and safety are big issues. If oil is 2.30/gall in your area, 50 gallons is not worth talking about with the potential of an inch or more of sludge in the bottom of an old tank.

Post by **coaledsweat** » Mon. Jul. 20, 2015 3:10 pm

The old tank needs to be cut in pieces, then you can dispose of it at the local scrapyard/recycling facility. They won't take a tank if it isn't cut up.

davidmcbeth3 · Post by **davidmcbeth3** » Mon. Jul. 20, 2015 5:43 pm

Angle grinder that biiitch ... about 1-3 hrs of work I would guess.

Or put on craigslist for free, they haul away. Be amazed at what people will take.

Don't forget to MT the tank first !

grumpy · Post by **grumpy** » Mon. Jul. 20, 2015 6:10 pm

davidmcbeth3 wrote:Angle grinder that biiitch ... about 1-3 hrs of work I would guess.

Or put on craigslist for free, they haul away. Be amazed at what people will take.

Don't forget to MT the tank first !

Yeah, put it on CL as free scrap, someone will take it..

Sunny Boy · Post by **Sunny Boy** » Mon. Jul. 20, 2015 6:22 pm

Around here, people sell used fuel oil tanks for about $40-50.00 to folks looking to hook up extra tanks so that they can buy/store extra when the price is low in summer.

Paul

Post by **coaledsweat** » Mon. Jul. 20, 2015 6:35 pm

davidmcbeth3 wrote:Angle grinder that biiitch ... about 1-3 hrs of work I would guess.

Sawzall and two blades in an hour. Ends off, cut the body in half. Chose a blade that has two teeth minimum contact on the thickness of the metal.

windyhill4.2 · Post by **windyhill4.2** » Mon. Jul. 20, 2015 6:44 pm

Unless the tank has rust that is about to pit thru the tank,what is the point in all the work of cutting it up ?? If it was close to me ,i would remove it free & so would lots of other thinking folks.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Mon. Jul. 20, 2015 6:52 pm

If'n it were me, I'd CL it or 3X5 card in local grocery/hardware, as is with the fuel oil in it. Kinda be a motivator in my world! YES, for free as is just to be rid of it. Did that w/ 2 tanks I had in the basement. No problem with interested people.

Post by **coaledsweat** » Mon. Jul. 20, 2015 7:08 pm

windyhill4.2 wrote:Unless the tank has rust that is about to pit thru the tank,what is the point in all the work of cutting it up ?? If it was close to me ,i would remove it free & so would lots of other thinking folks.

Scrap yards can't accept a fuel tank unless it is opened up, it's the law. If you can find someone that can use it, even better.

carlherrnstein · Post by **carlherrnstein** » Mon. Jul. 20, 2015 7:09 pm

If you do decide to cut it up please don't use a grinder or abrasive wheel. I saw a 55 Gal go poof when a grinder was used to dehead it. It had had diesel fuel in it years ago and it was thought to be "empty" but there was enough fumes in there to cause a scary situation.

windyhill4.2 · Post by **windyhill4.2** » Mon. Jul. 20, 2015 7:18 pm

coaledsweat wrote:
windyhill4.2 wrote:Unless the tank has rust that is about to pit thru the tank,what is the point in all the work of cutting it up ?? If it was close to me ,i would remove it free & so would lots of other thinking folks.
Scrap yards can't accept a fuel tank unless it is opened up, it's the law. If you can find someone that can use it, even better.

There is no common sense reason to take it to the scrap yard if it still holds the fuel that is currently in it. Someone can use the tank,we need to think less of "SCRAP METAL" & think of someone else getting to use it. Waste not ,want not.

Post by **coaledsweat** » Mon. Jul. 20, 2015 8:17 pm

windyhill4.2 wrote:There is no common sense reason to take it to the scrap yard if it still holds the fuel that is currently in it. Someone can use the tank,we need to think less of "SCRAP METAL" & think of someone else getting to use it. Waste not ,want not.

Not thinking about scrap value. Sometimes you just have to get rid of stuff, like it or not.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Mon. Jul. 20, 2015 8:20 pm

I'm glad somebody is thinkin.

carlherrnstein wrote:If you do decide to cut it up please don't use a grinder or abrasive wheel. I saw a 55 Gal go poof when a grinder was used to dehead it. It had had diesel fuel in it years ago and it was thought to be "empty" but there was enough fumes in there to cause a scary situation.

Logs · Post by **Logs** » Mon. Jul. 20, 2015 9:30 pm

If you were near me I would take it for sure. Do you know any farmers or construction company's ? A new 275 gal tank is about 400 bucks last I checked . I would not scrap it, scrap is down right now . It would be easy to give away I am sure. Why not make a few bucks