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Oil Tank Sweep & Abandoned Underground Oil Tank Detection (NJ / NY)

“Buying an older home? An abandoned underground oil tank can become a major surprise. Our oil tank sweep helps identify tank-like anomalies so you can investigate further before closing.”

What the service is / is not

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  • “This is a screening survey to detect tank-like targets; confirmation and removal decisions should be made with qualified environmental/removal contractors.”

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Who needs it 

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  • Homes built pre-1960

  • Evidence of prior oil heat (fill/vent pipes, old boiler, patched foundation penetrations)

  • Neighborhoods with oil history

  • Any buyer wanting peace of mind

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Process 

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  1. Intake questions (age, prior heat source, known removals)

  2. On-site sweep (yard + foundation perimeter as conditions allow)

  3. Marking + photo documentation

  4. Findings summary + next-step guidance​

Don't be surprised, be advised.

FAQ

  • “How long does an oil tank sweep take?”

Sweeps take a minimum of 30 minutes and vary depending on property size.

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  • “Can you sweep in winter?”

Yes - The magnetometer (device used to scan) can scan through snow and ice. ​

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  • “Do you guarantee there is no tank?”

Yes - You will receive a written report stating there are no magnetic anomalies located on the property. ​

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  • “What if you find a target?”

The area where the magnetic anomaly or target is noted will be flagged the area probed to confirm an object is present. Once confirmed there is an object present, further evaluation by an environmental contractor will be recommended to complete an exploratory excavation, testing for oil and removal / remediation completed. ​

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  • “Do you coordinate with realtors?”

We can work with your realtor to coordinate a stand alone survey or include with your home inspection. ​

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  • “Do you do this as a standalone service?”

We offer oil tank sweeps as a standalone service or bundled with a home inspection by Advisory Home Inspection or your home inspector if they do not provide the service. 

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  • “What areas do you serve?”

Advisory Home Inspection is licensed in New York and New Jersey and proudly serves the following counties:

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New Jersey: Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, Morris, Essex, Somerset, Union, Middlesex, and Monmouth Counties

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New York:  Rockland and Westchester Counties

Why Tanks are common here

"Oil Heats Best!" was the oil industry motto.  Number 2 heating oil became wildly popular in the 1920's as a heating fuel choice over coal.  Storage tanks were buried and, in some instances, more than one were present in the ground on properties to stock oil to avoid market fluctuation of heating oil cost.​  

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Once natural gas became more prevalent, the need for more costly oil was reduced.  Tanks were filled with soil and abandoned / left in the ground, sometimes still with residual oil.  Over time, compounds in the residual oil would rust a tank from the interior.  Add in acidic rain and these tanks started to pose an environmental crisis. 

Today the Department of Environmental Protection want's oil tanks removed due to the environmental risk they pose.  That's where we come in.

 

Advisory Home Inspection can quickly survey and sweep your property and detect the presence of an abandoned tank.  Get peace of mind with our Abandoned Oil Tank Survey.  

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