Introduction
As a homeowner in New Jersey with an underground oil tank, understanding the soil scan process is crucial. It might pique your interest. Soil scans play a pivotal role in meticulously detecting potential soil contamination arising from leaks in underground oil tanks. This comprehensive guide aims to walk you through the intricate procedure of a soil scan. It provides insights into its components, methodology, and the expectations throughout. By delving into these details, you’ll gain a clearer understanding. It relates to the significance and execution of a soil scan concerning your underground oil tank.
Understanding Underground Oil Tanks
An underground oil tank refers to a storage container. It’s typically buried beneath the ground, designed for holding oil. Builders commonly use materials like steel, fiberglass, or composite materials to construct these tanks, ensuring durability and corrosion resistance. These tanks store heating oil for furnaces/boilers, placed underground for space efficiency and aesthetics. These tanks need careful maintenance to prevent leaks, environmental hazards, and property/health risks.
Why You Need a Soil Scan for Your Underground Oil Tank
Over time, underground oil tanks are prone to rust, corrosion, and oil leakage into the nearby soil. In the event of such occurrences, the soil becomes susceptible to oil contamination, posing significant environmental and health risks. Additionally, property value depreciation and future challenges in selling your home may arise due to soil contamination.
A soil scan for your underground oil tank holds immense importance as it enables the detection of soil contamination resulting from tank leaks. These scans effectively identify petroleum hydrocarbons, the primary constituents of heating oil. Early detection of soil contamination through these scans empowers proactive measures to mitigate damage and forestall further contamination.
Comprehending Soil Scans for Underground Oil Tanks
A soil scan for an underground oil tank encompasses gathering soil samples from the vicinity of the tank to evaluate potential soil contamination. Typically, soil samples are collected utilizing a soil auger or drill, which penetrates the ground to acquire samples from different depths. These collected samples undergo testing at a laboratory for analysis.
In the process of conducting a soil scan, the soil surrounding the tank is typically divided into distinct zones, with a sample procured from each zone. This methodology enables a more precise evaluation of contamination extent, facilitating the determination of an effective cleanup strategy. The comprehensive assessment aids in devising the most appropriate approach for addressing the contamination duration and its impact on the surrounding soil.
What to Expect During a Soil Scan for Your Underground Oil Tank in NJ?
When you undergo a soil scan for your underground oil tank in NJ, anticipate several procedures. Initially, experts will meticulously collect soil samples from the areas surrounding the tank. This process involves utilizing specialized tools like soil augers or drills to gather samples from various depths. They meticulously send these samples to a laboratory for thorough analysis. Throughout the soil scan, they typically divide the soil surrounding the tank into distinct zones, obtaining a separate soil sample from each zone. This division aids in assessing contamination levels across different sections, ultimately guiding the determination of an appropriate cleanup strategy. The entire process is aimed at detecting any potential soil contamination resulting from oil leakage, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation to address environmental concerns effectively.
Site Preparation
The first step in a soil scan is site preparation. The area around the tank is cleared of any difficulty to ensure that the soil samples are representative of the area. The soil surface is also cleaned to remove any surface contaminants that could interfere with the test results.
Soil Sampling
Once the site prepares, the process of soil sampling initiates. Utilizing a soil auger or drill, they insert it into the ground to gather soil samples at various depths. Typically, they procure these samples from different zones around the tank, aiming for an accurate assessment of the contamination’s extent.
Laboratory Testing
They send the soil samples to a laboratory for testing. The laboratory tests the samples for petroleum hydrocarbons, which are the main components of heating oil. The laboratory will provide a report that indicates the level of contamination, the type of contamination, and the extent of the contamination.
Report Analysis
A licensed professional analyzes the laboratory report upon receipt to determine the best course of action for the cleanup. The professional will recognize the level and extent of the contamination, the proximity of the tank to nearby buildings and water sources, and any suitable regulations and laws.
Cleanup
If the soil scan detects contamination, cleanup is necessary to remove the contaminated soil and prevent further contamination. The cleanup process can include excavation of the contaminated soil, disposal of the soil at a licensed facility, and installation of a new tank.
Cost to Remove an Underground Oil Tank
The cost to remove an underground oil tank can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the tank, the extent of the contamination, and the accessibility of the tank. In general, removing an underground oil tank in NJ can range from $1,500 to $3,500, with some projects costing upwards of $10,000.
It’s important to note that the cost of removing an underground oil tank does not include the cost of any soil remediation that may be mandatory to clean up the contaminated soil. The extent of contamination and the chosen remediation method can cause soil remediation costs to vary and become an additional expense.
If you are considering removing an underground oil tank, it’s important to get multiple quotes from licensed professionals and ensure that the contractor you choose has experience with underground oil tank removal and soil remediation.
Conclusion
Soil scans detect leaks in underground tanks, crucial for spotting potential soil contamination on properties. Collecting tank-adjacent soil samples, then sending for comprehensive lab testing, is a scan component. Upon detection of contamination, a cleanup becomes crucial to eliminate the affected soil and prevent further environmental risks. Varied tank removal costs stress the need for estimates from licensed experts for informed choices.
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