SREC is a turnkey environmental contractor that provides all the services necessary to remove or decommission an UST. Our services include vacuuming tank contents, cleaning, filling, removal, and disposal.

What Realtors need to know to better educate their customers on Underground Storage Tanks (UST).

Like many real estate agents you may have a feeling of uneasiness upon learning there is an underground storage tank on the property your client is contracted to purchase or to sell. It is an understandable concern, but a very manageable situation that is easy to handle. It is imperative that the agent be proactive in rectifying the tank issue especially if there is a possibility of contamination.

AGENT REPRESENTING A BUYER:

Educate your buyer about oil tanks and contamination so they can make intelligent decisions to limit liability and potentially the loss of their “dream” home.

If the property owner can not prove that the home has always used a heating source other than oil, it is strongly recommended the property be inspected to determine if there is an underground storage tank, or any signs of one that may have existed. To investigate further, contact the town or city and inquire if a tank was ever removed and inspected. Contracting SREC to perform a tank location test will address any tank concerns in the beginning stages.

It is highly recommended to check the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) website to see if a release was ever reported and if so, to see if the case was closed.

If a UST is found, the buyer should require the property owner to remove their oil tank. SREC is highly qualified in removing heating oil tanks. We ensure that the tank closure is done according to the NJDEP regulations, and provide comprehensive documentation evidencing proper closure.

If contamination was discovered during the tank removal, insist that the current property owner immediately start the clean up process by first reporting it to the NJDEP. SREC can assist the seller in reporting their release to the NJDEP. Immediately establishing a case number will help to minimize your liability.

If there was a tank on the property and was removed, you must request from the current owner a tank certification evidencing that the tank was removed or abandoned properly according to the NJDEP regulations. If it was determined that the tank was leaking request from the seller documentation evidencing that the clean up was completed as outlined in NJAC 7:26E, Technical Requirements for Site Investigation/Remediation, and properly closed.

AGENT REPRESENTING A SELLER:

We recommend you encourage your client to follow these steps so not to jeopardize the loss of the sale of their home.

Unless your client is 100% sure that there is no UST on their property, SREC recommends we conduct a tank search on your clients property to confirm there is no buried UST. In our experience, even though there is no visible indication of a UST presence below ground some tanks have been found.

If it has been determined that there is a tank on the property it is best to have the tank removed. Don’t wait…let SREC help you get the process started sooner rather than later.

Upon removing the tank it has been determined that the tank has leaked soil samples must be extracted to determine the level of contamination. If the soil test confirms a level of contamination that exceeds the NJDEP clean up criteria, it is strongly recommended that the contaminated area be cleaned up immediately. SREC’s knowledgeable representatives can discuss the appropriate actions to clean up the contamination. We have a highly qualified staff that will work diligently to execute a comprehensive plan for soil remediation in a timely, cost effective manner.

Once the UST has been removed, regardless of whether the tank leaked or never leaked, make sure your client receives proper documentation from the contractor evidencing the work was completed as per the NJDEP regulations. SREC provides a comprehensive UST certification booklet when a tank is removed or abandoned, or a Remedial Action Report if the property required clean up.

Ask our sales representative if your client is eligible for government funding to pay for the clean up costs.

Did you know? Underground storage tanks average about 20 years before corrosion makes them prone to leaking.

Helpful tips to aide you in better educating your clients about underground storage tanks.

UST Locating Tips:

Following the fuel lines from the house –visible small copper tubing running along a wall to the furnace

Old vent piping — usually found outside of the house. Vents are normally made of 1 1⁄2 to 2 –inch galvanized piping and in many cases has a cap that looks like a mushroom on the top of the piping. The piping can be 2 to 12 feet tall.

Fill piping — normally directly over the top of an UST. In most cases, the fill pipe will have a special cap that requires a tool for its removal.

Abandoned piping — many structures that have changed their source of heat may leave behind abandoned piping. If abandoned lines run out through a wall there is a good possibility that there is an UST on the other side.

UST leaking tips:

If the furnace seems to be using more fuel than usual. However, keep in mind other factors that may increase more than usual fuel usage such as odd weather or furnace impairments.

Stick the tank using a water reactive paste on the stick to determine if there is water in the tank. A small amount of water is normal. However, if it is determined that several inches of water is getting into the tank most likely through a small hole, it is likely to assume that oil is leaking out through the very same hole.