Comfort Line - Questions and Answers

My underground oil tank is 20 years old. How long can I expect it to last?

The life expectancy of underground oil tanks depends upon many factors, including the thickness of the steel, the type of fill material, the presence of ground water and the level of electrical activity in the ground. We have seen 10-year-old tanks which are in very bad condition. On the other hand, we have seen 50-year-old tanks which are as good as the day they were installed.

What are the chances that my tank is leaking?

A recent independent study of buried tanks in the Northeast found that less than 2/10 of 1% of the tanks are leaking. However, because of high water tables, the percentage of leaking tanks in Sussex County seems to be somewhat higher.

If my tank should leak, how can I protect myself from the expense of the environmental clean up?

We offer an environmental protection program called ProGuard that offers $100,000 of environmental clean-up coverage for your property and tank replacement coverage, too. The program is underwritten by a major insurance company and costs only $165 per year. The same coverage is available for above ground tanks for $85 per year.

Will the government force me to remove my underground tank?

The answer is emphatically "No!" Current underground oil tank regulations apply only to commercial tanks that are 2,001 gallons or greater. Residential tanks of any size are exempt from federal and state regulations.

Should I consider replacing my underground tank anyway?

That depends on the age of the tank and the soil conditions. The ProGuard Program is a viable and logical alternative to replacing your underground tank.

If I decide to replace my underground tank, should I put another tank in the ground?

We normally advise our customers to install above ground or basement replacement tanks. It's less expensive and we think makes more sense.

What types of above ground and basement tanks are available?

Standard oval 275 and 330 gallon 12-gauge single-wall steel tanks. These tanks have a one year replacement guarantee. In addition, we have a new Roth double-wall rectangular tank. There are over 30 million of these tanks in use in Europe. They have a full 10-year warranty, including $1 million of environmental clean up coverage.