What is an Oil Tank Detection?
If your house was built before 1975, then you are at elevated risk of having an oil tank on your property. Depending on which city your property is located in, natural gas was implemented as the primary fuel source at different times, in different regions.
The further your property is from Vancouver, the longer it took for some cities to adapt and implement these changes within their cities.
In approximately 1957 Vancouver switched from oil tanks to natural gas, while maple ridge implemented natural gas as late as 1975. Keep in mind that just because the primary fuel source was changed for your city at a certain time, this does not necessarily mean that you do not have a tank on your property.
It also came down to personal preference, for example: if a homeowner in Vancouver preferred oil heating as thier fuel source or wanted to upgrade to an aboveground storage tank system, your property albeit uncommon, could be fueled by an oil tank to this day.
What Happens During an Oil Tank Detection?
We use high-quality magnetic locators to scan the perimeter of your structure. While performing the underground scan, we do a visual inspection of the property looking for any indications of an oil tanks presence. If no oil tank is found we will provide you with an oil tank detection certificate at no additional charge.
How Long Does an Oil Tank Detection Take?
An oil tank detection typically takes approximatley 15 mins to 1 hr. The amount of time the oil tank detection takes is usually determined by the amount of obstructions and anomalies that are present on your property.
Does Someone Need to be Present During the Oil Tank Detection?
Most times it is not necessary for the client or a representative of the property to be present during the detection. However, there are few situations that would require someone’s presence:
- Known additions, extensions or enclosures.
- Limited access around the perimeter, for example: locked gates.
Can a Home Inspector Determine if an Oil Tank is Present on a Property?
Most home inspectors will give you their best-educated guess if they think that you are at risk of having an oil tank on your property.
Typically home inspectors look for any major indications that could suggest that an oil tank may be on the property, such as: suspicious pipes, evidence in the furnace room, or the age of the house.
Although this is a helpful first step in the assessment process, most home inspectors do not have to the proper equipment to thoroughly scan for an oil tank.
That is why many home inspectors and clients of home inspectors, contact Tri-City Tank Tech regularly to provide a second opinion and to obtain an oil tank detection certificate.