Everyone wants their fuel storage tank to last as long as possible. Well, here’s an easy way to protect your tank and in the process, extend its life: keep it full during the summer. Here’s why.
A lot of empty space inside your oil tank causes trouble. It’s best to keep your tank at least half-full (preferably more) during the warm months.
Condensation is the reason. Empty space in your tank is space where water condensation can form. And condensation is more common during the summer. Hot, humid days and cool nights create the right atmosphere for condensation buildup to accelerate inside your tank. And if your tank is aboveground, outdoors and in an unshaded area, it’s especially prone to condensation.
After water forms on the bare walls on the empty area of the tank, it drips down and sinks to the bottom of the tank because it is denser than heating oil. There, it becomes an ideal environment for bacteria and other microorganisms. Over time, these become sediment that can create problems with your oil tank. One problem is that sediment, also known as sludge, can get into your fuel lines and clog them up. This causes your heating system to shut down.
Keeping your tank full during the summer also prolongs its life. That’s because the same condensation that results in sludge can also corrode your tank from the inside out – a big problem that could be difficult to see coming and costly to remediate.
Knowing you’re protecting your investment in a home heating oil storage tank should give you plenty of motivation to get a summer fill. But there are other benefits to filling your oil tank now, rather than later.
Remember, condensation inside your oil tank is a problem, but an avoidable one. If you call for your fuel, reach out to your local Massachusetts heating oil provider to schedule a heating oil delivery soon. After that, get back to enjoying some summer fun.