Discovered a crack in your tank? Here is what you should do

Your tank has a crack in it. If you have a bunded oil tank (double-skinned), you have more time to call experts in. If your steel or single skinned tank has a crack in it, it will need immediate attention.

Don’t rely on the repair kit

An oil tank repair kit is really just a tool to buy you some time; it should never be used to fix the tank as a permanent solution. Usually made of webbing material and glue or putty, the kit will minimise the potential for spillage in the short term whilst you seek professional help.

Repair kits and any repair hacks will not suit a steel tank due to metal flaking and weakening and could make the problem worse. You will need to gauge what you can do based on the size of the crack, but you shouldn’t attempt anything you are uncomfortable with, as this could be dangerous.

Collect the oil

If your tank is leaking, find a suitable container to safely collect the leaking oil in. Collecting the oil stops it from reaching absorbent soils or drainage, where serious problems and costly clean-up operations will occur if oil contaminates them. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) can issue fines if the oil tank owner is found to be negligent. Find out more about the oil tank regulations.

collect the oil

Contact the experts

Get on the phone! Call Oil Tanks Plus as quickly as possible to get an expert, registered oil tank engineer out to you to assess the damage. We will work quickly to ensure as little damage is caused and can advise you on the next steps to replace your tank.

If your current damaged tank is single skin or steel tank, we will most likely recommend installing a new double skinned or bunded oil tank, which will provide a much higher level of protection from cracks in the future.

Important Things To Consider

Important safety measures

Oil can be harmful to both humans and to the environment, because of this it is not meant to be handled or introduced into the ecosystem, hence the hefty penalties for oil leaks. To protect yourself and your surroundings, we advise;

  • Wearing gloves and avoiding skin contact
  • Switching off the oil mains to stop the further flow
  • Trying to establish the amount of oil lost, this is information is useful to your engineer when they arrive
  • Ventilating any enclosed areas that smell of oil
  • Not to rinse any oil away or to wash down the tank
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Oil tank maintenance

Oil tank maintenance is the best way to avoid a cracked and leaking oil tank. With an Oil Tanks Plus maintenance plan you can schedule engineer visits and service checks in advance when it suits you, to ensure your tank is in peak condition. Our engineers will be able to spot any early signs of damage and recommend the best course of action, avoiding costly breakdowns and failures in your heating system when you need it most.

Oil Tank Replacement

If you are concerned about the condition of your oil tank it may be a good time to think about replacing it. If you are unsure of the type of oil tank you need and want some advice then contact our friendly team of experts today. From site surveys to guidance on choosing your oil tank, we can help you.

Read our complete oil tank replacement guide to find out more about the process.

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Oil Tanks Plus are here to get you safely back in working order

Our highly trained and accredited nationwide network of engineers are on hand to quickly assist you in the event of a damaged oil tank. We cover the whole of the UK, and with our expert engineers based in over 40 locations, we can get to you no matter how remote your location. Contact us today.