Oil Tank Abandonment Suffolk County NY
Foam or sand tank abandonment, certificate of abandonment included. Less digging and less damage to your yard than a full removal — free estimates over the phone.
Quick answer: Oil tank abandonment means leaving the tank in the ground but properly emptying, cleaning and filling it with foam or sand so it can no longer leak or be used. In Suffolk and Nassau counties, most tanks under 1,100 gallons can be abandoned in place, and you receive a certificate of abandonment when the work is complete — usually in one day. Average cost runs from about $800 for a foam abandonment to $1,500 or more for sand.
Fast 1-Day Tank Service Available
Many years back, oil tank installation began for many homes and businesses in the Suffolk County area. The issue is that they installed metal tanks that inevitably began rusting out. At the time, metal tanks were used underground because they were thought to be long lasting, but now, it has been shown that the vast majority of these oil tanks have deteriorated and rusted out, creating leaks that can become a huge problem for the environment and surrounding soil. You're most likely wondering just how much it will cost to get your metal oil tank removed from your property if you've found out you have one.
The answer: Removing your tank can get expensive, which is why abandonment has become a popular option. Abandoning your oil tank means leaving it in the ground—so your landscape isn't destroyed—but properly emptying and filling it so it is no longer usable or harmful to the soil.
Foam-Based Oil Tank Abandonment
In New York City, any size tank can be abandoned with foam. Before the abandonment, a licensed waste oil truck with vacuuming capacities will eliminate any oil, water or sludge left in the tank. When the tank has been vacuum cleaned, a drying system is used to absorb any residual oil. Afterward, the underground oil tank is totally filled with specialty foam. Lastly, the vent and fill pipes get removed and the openings of these plumbing fixtures will be filled with cement, leaving the tank totally unusable.
Sand-Based Oil Tank Abandonment
In Nassau and Suffolk counties, most tanks less than 1,100 gallons can be abandoned with sand. Sand abandonments are essential in some areas. First, the surface of the tank is excavated and cut open. Then all of the remaining contents are eliminated using a vacuum truck. Afterward, a confined space entry group enters the tank to wash out the bottom and internal side walls. The last stage is for the technicians to fully fill the tank with sand. When the tank is filled, the techs will close the tank, backfill the excavation site, and eliminate all piping related to the underground oil tank. The holes that were originally used to fill and vent the pipe will get permanently closed with cement.
Proving An Oil Tank Is Abandoned
As metal tanks become a more known and pressing issue, home owners are being required to provide paperwork showing their metal tank has been properly abandoned. Upon finishing the job, a certificate of abandonment will be issued to the homeowner, which will need to be kept safely away and shown to future home buyers if the owner ever tries selling the home.
Alternative Oil Tank Solutions
There are many oil tank service companies on Long Island that you can call to ask for a quote about oil tank removal. You should make sure that the company you deal with is reliable and, most importantly, that they will try not to destroy any more of your yard than they have to. Keep in mind they will have to destroy a wide section of your yard to fully remove the tank, and you will need to have the hole that's left properly filled back up and re-sodded, which means added costs.
Oil Tank Abandonment Cost
Oil tank abandonment in Suffolk County typically runs from about $800 for a foam-filled abandonment to $1,500 or more for a sand-filled abandonment. The final price depends on the type of fill you choose and how difficult it is for the technicians to access your oil tank — a tank under a deck, patio or addition takes more work to reach than one under open lawn.
Foam is usually the less expensive and less invasive option because the tank does not need to be fully excavated and cut open the way a sand abandonment requires. Call 631-830-4356 for a free 2-minute estimate on your tank.
Oil Tank Abandonment FAQs
How much does oil tank abandonment cost?
Oil tank abandonment typically runs from about $800 for a foam-filled abandonment to $1,500 or more for a sand-filled abandonment. The final price depends on the type of fill you choose and how difficult the tank is to access.
What is the difference between foam and sand abandonment?
Foam abandonment fills the cleaned tank with specialty foam and is the less invasive, more property-friendly method. Sand abandonment excavates the top of the tank, cleans it out and fills it with sand. In Nassau and Suffolk counties, most tanks under 1,100 gallons can be abandoned with sand.
How long does oil tank abandonment take?
Most oil tank abandonments are completed in one day, including backfilling the site and restoring it to the original grade.
Will I get proof that my tank was abandoned?
Yes. When the work is finished you receive a certificate of abandonment, which certifies the job met Suffolk County guidelines. Keep it safe, because future home buyers will ask for it.
Is it better to abandon or remove my oil tank?
Abandonment is less invasive and preserves your landscaping, but removal can be more cost effective long term and is the better option if you plan to sell your property.
2-Minute Oil Tank Job Estimate
Call for your free estimate for oil tank abandonment in Suffolk County, or request a quote online.