Basement Oil Tank Removal Cost in Minnesota

Oil tanks were once one of the most common home heating sources, especially in cold states like Minnesota. Today, most homes are converting to natural gas heating. This leads to abandoned oil tanks above ground, underground, and in basements.  If left unmaintained, these oil tanks can pose serious health and environmental risks.

Reasons for Basement Oil Tank Removal

When a basement oil tank is left unused for many years, it leads to corrosion and leaks. Leaks can cause contamination in the house, as well as leech through the foundation and into the soil. Corrosion and leaks could also expose your family and home to:

• toxic fumes
• fire hazards
• environmental contamination

You may also need to remove tanks because of changes in government regulations. Older tanks may not meet current standards. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPA) also mandates the removal of some oil tanks before selling the property.

If leaks are not attended to, it might cause an environmental hazard and damage the surroundings. Depending on the scale of pollution, the cost of cleanup and contaminant remediation could be $10,000 to upwards of $100,000.

Basement Oil Tank Removal Cost in Minnesota

The average oil tank removal cost is anywhere between $400 and $2500, depending upon various factors. To provide an estimate, the first thing a removal company will do is determine the extent of work that needs to be done.

Is the Tank Empty?

If the heating oil tank has oil inside it, then the removal might be relatively expensive compared to the removal of an empty tank. In most of the cases, the oil cannot be reused and must be disposed in accordance with the state law. This disposal process is expensive too.

Is the Oil Tank Still Connected to the Boiler?

Oil tanks are supposed to be disconnected at the time of decommissioning. However, sometimes that requirement is neglected in the past. Or, you are just now decommissioning your tank. Either way, if your tank is still connected to the boiler, it needs to be safely disconnected.

Most municipals require a licensed oil burner technician to disconnect the line. Even if not required, it is always a good idea to hire a professional when dealing with hazardous materials. The technician fee would add to the basement oil tank removal cost.

If there is no active connection in place, then you have the green light to go ahead with the heating oil tank removal.

Is the Basement Oil Tank Enclosed?

People do not prefer seeing an oil tank every time they step into the basement. At times there are different kinds of walls built around the oil tank to keep it out of sight. While this gives a much better look to your basement, it can be an obstacle when you want the oil tank to be removed. In this situation the basement oil tank removal cost goes up. Before any work can be done on the tank, the structure surrounding the tank and covering it must be removed or demolished.

For this, you may have to call another crew who does the demolition work. Or, hire an MPCA certified contractor that handles the removal from start to finish.

How Accessible is the Basement?

After the oil tank has been uninstalled it has to be moved out of the house from the basement. This can be a fairly simple process if you have a bulkhead. But without a bulkhead, the process might be a lengthy and more expensive one. When there is no bulkhead, the tank needs to be cut into smaller pieces, packed properly, and other precautions must be taken to carry these safely out of the house.

Although cutting an oil tank is a necessary part of tank disposal, a few companies might charge you a little extra since they must cut the tank in your basement. Cutting and removing the pieces in a tight space is more difficult than after the tank is above ground. It is better to select companies that offer flat-rate services and do not charge you more for every little extra activity which they might need to carry out in the removal process.

Vertical Oil Tank vs. Horizontal Oil Tank

Another factor that might carry some weight in the cost structure of the removal process is the orientation of the tank in question. If the tank is constructed vertically, it is relative more expensive to uninstall compared to a horizontally constructed tank.

How to Choose a Basement Oil Tank Removal Company

The removal of an oil tank from your basement can be dangerous and dirty at times and is best if left in the hands of professionals. The process involves locating the pipelines and the utility lines, and dealing with them properly so that they do not mix with the contents of the oil tank. Along with this, extra care must be taken to ensure that no leaks occur during the removal process, and everything goes on seamlessly.

Many oil tank removal experts in the state of Minnesota are known for their highly trained crew and spotless work, which leaves a pristine job site. Before selecting the expert, ensure that you get multiple references and an upfront cost quotation from the service provider. Request an itemized cost breakdown, if possible.

MPCA Certified Contractors for Basement Oil Tank Removal

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is cracking down on storage tank regulations. To ensure you meet all requirements and follow all guidelines, you should hire an MPCA certified contractor. A quality certified contractor will handle the removal process from start to finish. By relying on their expertise, you can streamline the process and have the peace of mind that the job is done right.

Rollie Sales is an MPCA certified contractor and specializes in fuel storage removal. We offer the highest quality work at an affordable basement oil tank removal cost. Based in Osakis, Minnesota, we serve the surrounding communities, including Long Prairie, Alexandria, Sauk Centre, Glenwood, and more.

Contact us today to receive a free estimate.