Underground Oil Tanks in Vancouver – Do Your Homework

Underground Oil Tanks in Vancouver Do Your Homework

West Vancouver woman loses more than $1 million after undergroundoil tank contaminates yard

When looking at prospective homes to buy, make sure you find out whether the property has an underground oil tank. During the 50s, 60s's and 70s, heating homes with oil burning furnaces was very popular. Somewhere along the line the decision was made to bury unsightly tanks with nothing but a vent pipe and refill tube showing above ground. The problem with this method is that the steel tanks start to corrode after about 15 years due to rust and the presence of sulphuric acid being produced as a by-product of oxidation.

The City of Vancouverrequires that oil tanks be removed from all properties with most other municipalities strongly recommending' it. The real problem starts when the tanks content leaks and contaminates the surrounding soil. That contamination can then make its way over to surrounding properties in either the ground water or runoff in a process known as "leaching". Remediation is a major problem and very expensive.

Read this story of a very unfortunate West Vancouver lady who is into a contaminated site remediation (and litigation) to the tune of about $1 million.

While there doesn't seem to be a 100% fool-proof method of determining whether a property has an underground oil tank, the following should be considered prudent due diligence by any prospective buyer. Tell your home inspector you'd like himto look for evidence of a tank. For the most part this is simply the presence of a fill tube or vent pipe showing above ground. Another option is to hire a tank services company to perform an ultrasonic scan of the yard. While the results will reveal that there is something metal underground and strong evidence that it may be a tank, there are no guarantees once the digging starts.

In my opinion, one of the best methods is toask a lot of questions of the current sellers. Casually let it be known that liability goes back toprevious ownersif an oil tank/contamination problemis found and that just because they're moving ondoes not absolve them ofthis responsibility. This is usually a great way to initiate a productive conversationand to getpeople off their "not to my knowledge" and "I have no idea" answers.

POST COMMENT

Quick to Go By Guidelines to Try Prequalify Home Loan The Use of Rental Homes by Owner Home Remedies For Hair Loss Spot Treatment ! The Heat is On - Indoor Heating and AC Selections Find Phone Number Owner Online! Who Is The Owner Of This Phone Number? Use The Map In Finding The Owner Of A Phone Number! How You Can Earn Extra Money From Home Use Online Database In Finding The Owner of Phone Number! How To Evaluate Real Estate Investing Save Money Using Home Remedies For Hair Fall ! Modern Kitchen Renovation Making Your Bathroom Fun With Funky Shower Curtains