Residential Oil Tank Removals
Contents
CommTank will get the job done, and done right. Our expertise is residential oil tank removals in Massachusetts and New Hampshire – we've been doing it for more than 25 years. We have the experience to tackle the toughest and tightest jobs, and are committed to making every customer 100% happy with our work. Our licensed, professional technicians are exceptionally skilled at their jobs, and they're prompt, courteous and always willing to answer your questions. Because they know your time is valuable, they'll get in and out fast without missing a detail.
No project is too large, too small, or too challenging for the CommTank Team. Whatever the age and type of your home -- whether it’s a 200-year-old Colonial, ranch home, mobile home or anything in between -- you can trust CommTank to provide a safe, reliable and affordable heating oil tank removal.
"Your Crew Was Prompt, Courteous and Professional" – Matt Burnstein, Roslindale, Ma.
Oil Tank Removal Services
We understand how important it is for homeowners to take care of their properties, that’s why they look to hire a qualified professional who is insured and trained in home heating systems.
Oil Tank Removal Process
CommTank technicians pump out the remaining oil from this oil tank.
- Obtain permits required by the local fire department
- Pump out any remaining oil
- Place polyethylene sheeting under the tank
- Cut open the tank
- Remove all oil and sludge from the tank bottom
- Clean the inside of the tank using recyclable/biodegradable material
- Remove fill and vent pipes
- Patch holes in the foundation with cement or siding with silicone caulk
- Remove and transport the oil tank and associated piping to a licensed scrap yard
- Submit oil tank removal permit to Fire Department
Permits
We work with each city and town to keep an updated list of permit fees. If your oil tank removal requires a permit then CommTank’s courier acquires it prior to the day of the project. When the job is completed, the signed document is mailed to the local Fire Department. The City of Boston also requires a hazardous waste manifest to track the generator of oil waste to the disposal site. The following table provides examples of fees charged by cities and towns in Massachusetts and New Hampshire for the removal of residential aboveground storage tanks.
Fire Department Permit Fees for Oil Tank Removals
| City/Town | Address | Phone Number | Example Tank Removal Permit Fee as of June 30, 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 1010 Mass. Ave 02118 | 617-343-3628 | $110 |
| Worcester, Ma | 25 Meade St. | 508-799-1822 | $50 |
| Cambridge, MA | 491 Broadway 02139 | 617-349-4918 | $103 |
| Brockton, MA | 42 Pleasant St. 02301 | 508-583-2933 | $55 |
| Malden, MA | 1 Sprague St. 02148 | 781-397-7385 | $50 |
| Newton, MA | 169 Jackson Rd 02459 | 617-796-2230 | $75 |
| Waltham, MA | 175 Lexington St. 02452 | 781-314-3000 | $50 |
| Attleboro, MA | 100 Union St. 02703 | 774-203-1922 | $50 |
| Quincy, MA | 40 Quincy Ave. 02169 | 617-376-1015 | $50 |
| Danvers, MA | 64 High St. 01923 | 978-774-2425 | $50 |
| New Bedford, MA | 868 Pleasant Street 02740 | 508-991-6120 | $75 |
| Manchester, NH | Building Dept. City Hall Plaza | 603-669-2256 | $40 |
| Nashua, NH | 229 Main St. NH 03060 | 603-589-3460 | $65 |
| Concord, NH | 115R North State St. | 603-225-8651 | $0 |
Technician cutting the oil tank before cleaning the interior
How Much Does It Cost to Remove an Oil Tank?
The cost of a residential oil tank removal in an easily accessible, unfinished basement is $425 within 25 miles of our Wakefield office. Restricted access, such as door openings that are smaller than 29” wide, crawl spaces or narrow stairways will incur an additional fee. Typically, $50.
If an oil tank has been removed by your plumbing/heating contractor and is outside, cleaned and disconnected then the removal fee is $325. In cases where the home does not have power (demolition or construction sites), CommTank can provide a portable generator for a fee of $75.
Recycling
CommTank recycles each tank and delivers the cleaned, crushed tank to a licensed recycling yard. It requires more trips and fuel to deliver whole or partially cut tanks than it does when they are compacted. That's why CommTank built a custom tank compactor or "tank crusher " as we like to call it. We can store 2 weeks' worth of scrap metal from tank removal service jobs in one roll-off container. You can watch a video of a technician crushing an oil tank to be recycled here.
Abandonment
According to the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code 527 CMR 9.02, any tank that is permanently disconnected or not in use for a period of 24 months must be removed. An unused oil tank will be flagged as a code violation, during home sales or loan refinancing, by the mortgage company inspector.
Emergency Service
CommTank is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help with your oil tank needs. Our office staff will take the time to discuss any oil tank issues, then fully explain all of your service options. Because we take a proven step by step approach to every project, you can be confident that you’re getting efficient service at an affordable price that we’ll always stand behind.
"If only every service transaction could be this great!" – Noel Kelly, North Reading, Ma.
Switching from Oil to Gas
We have excellent working relationships with plumbing, heating oil, and property management companies who rely on us to provide prompt reliable service to their clients.
How You Can Tell Your Heating Oil Tank Is Leaking
If you have an aboveground oil tank, you may not know there's anything wrong with it by looking at it. That's because aboveground storage tanks can corrode from the inside out, so problems aren't always visible. Even painting it doesn't protect it from leaks if the corrosion is on the inside surface.
How can you tell if your oil tank is leaking? If the tank is old, check for visible oil stains on the underbelly of the tank, which may be caused by loose fittings or by overfilling the tank. Some people try to patch or repair leaking tanks themselves. Unfortunately, a leak is a sign that the tank has outlived its usefulness and needs to be replaced before major problems develop. Often, removing the tank is the best solution.
Basement tank that is slowly dripping oil
Oil Tank Safety
When’s the last time you thought about your property’s oil tank? To keep buildings safe, it’s smart to check your tank regularly. So, here’s a quick checklist to help ensure that your property’s oil tank is functioning properly.
- Is your oil usage higher than normal?
- Can you smell oil near or around the tank?
- Is the fuel gauge missing or broken?
- Are there oil stains beneath the tank?
- Are the tank legs solid and stable?
- Can you see leakage around the vent or fill pipes?
- Are there signs of rust or pitting?
- Is oil dripping from the tank?
You can find examples of our work at our residential projects page or watch us perform an oil tank removal on the PBS series 'This Old House'.
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Oil Tank Removal Frequently Asked Questions
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