Is Your Oil Tank Ready For Winter?

September marks the end of summer and the start of autumn, and the foreshadowing of winter. It’s when newspaper headlines stop with ‘UK facing heatwave!’ and replace them with ‘UK facing coldest winter ever!’.

With fuel costs due to increase this winter, and six months of shorter days and colder temperatures, now is a good time to ensure that your oil tank is all in good working order for the colder months.

You might already have had your boiler serviced, and your chimney swept, but for households that have oil heating, have you had your bunded tank inspected?

Often the oil tank can be tucked away out of sight and out of mind, but you must ensure you get it inspected and serviced in time for winter.

If your tank is not working as efficiently as it should, then your heating won’t be working as it should either. A damaged tank can also cause spills, which could land you with a hefty clean-up bill, and even a fine, if a leak causes environmental damage.

Ensure you use an OFTEC (Oil Fired Technical Association) registered oil technician or company to carry out your oil boiler service, they should, as part of this service, also inspect your tank.

They will check if the tank has any water inside, and also change or clean the oil tank filter. An oil tank is designed to keep oil in and water out. If water does get in, it can cause expensive damage to your tank, supply pipework and your boiler or Aga.

Water can get into pipes, which can freeze, causing blockages and cracks. If water gets into the inner chamber of a bunded tank, it will cause it to fail, as the oil will float on top of the water.

Any problems or concerns that the technician reports to you after your annual service should be promptly acted upon.

If you need a new bunded oil tank and looking for oil tank installers, talk to us today.