Double-wall tanks for home heating oil?

16 years ago

I'm debating replacing the oil tank in my house. Currently have a 275 gal tank that I think still has plenty of life in it. Don't know how old it is since it was hear when I moved in 6 years ago, but thinking about replacing it. It looks like the legs were replaced at one point (maybe because the floor gets a little damp from water when it rains hard -field stone foundation is water tight.

I'm thinking if I replace it, might as well go with a double-wall tank. One local oil company said it might be about $2300 for a Roth tank. Could be a little more or less once he comes out and checks out the basement and sees that the install requires.

Does that price sound reasonable? Are Roth tanks good? Or are there other brand of tanks that youd' recommend?

I'm in southeast PA if that makes a difference for cost.

thanks

Bruce

Featured Answer

mr_havac

16 years ago

Brickeye, you're obviously not to up on oil tanks installations, etc. Ask the banks who are stuck with houses when the owners snuck out in the middle of the night after a catastrophic split in a basement oil tank. Ask the people who have shelled out thousands and thousands of dollars to clean up a leak in a basement that seeped into foundation cracks or floor drains. Ask the insurance companies about the claims after major tank failures. You obviously haven't seen the new double wall tanks made "specifically" for basement installations. They have convenient carry handles on the sides, now just what would their purpose be?

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Comments (6)

brickeyee
16 years ago
I thought double walls only had to be used for burial tanks.
If the tank is exposed in the basement the double wall does not do anything but cost you extra money.
Once the inner wall fails the tank must be replaced.
In a basement you will notice seepage and have repairs made.
In a buried tank any oil between the tanks is still captive and the tank is then replaced.
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Thanks everyone. When we bought the home, we didn't realize the fuel gauge was broken. We were told at closing that there were 100 gals remaining in the tank, and neither our lawyer nor our agent was concerned about it, so I just assumed that they had some way of measuring it and that it was common practice to have the buyers pay for whatever was left in the tank. We took possession of the house in August, so I stupidly didn't even think about oil until the weather got colder and the heat kicked on in late October. We researched local oil companies and the owner of the one we decided to go with came to the house to look at our system and determine whether any maintenance was needed, etc. He said it all looked fine, but pointed out that our gauge wasn't working and asked when we had last had the tank filled. When I told him that the sellers had left 100 gals or so, he reminded me that our hot water heater uses oil and that we were probably about to run dry if it had been running all summer. DOH! I had completely forgotten that the water heater was on oil, not electric. So anyway, our first fill was 240 gallons, which I was expecting. I assumed the tank was full at that point. The tank is in the basement and there are no leaks, so it's not that. It was the next fill that surprised me, because I really didn't expect that we would be burning 60 gals a week when the weather was fairly mild. We did get a ticket with each fill - I'm just looking at them again now, and there is a printed certified meter reading showing the quantity - it all looks quite official. I just can't understand how we used so much in November and so little over the past two weeks, when I know how much colder and windier it has been. The only thing I can think of is that perhaps they didn't actually FILL the tank this last time, and we used much more than 30 gals per week and just don't know it (although it seems silly for them to come all the way out here and NOT fill the tank completely). We'll get the fuel gauge fixed and keep an eye on it, I guess. I don't know that we have any other options at this point! We are definitely planning to convert to natural gas when the boiler needs to be replaced.
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brickeyee
16 years ago
I call BS.
markjames
16 years ago
Yes, the Roth tanks are good products. We install primarily Roth and Granby tanks, as well as secondary containment tubs.

http://www.granbytanks.com/eng/residential_tank02.shtml

Just a note on tanks. On indoor or outdoor installations, the tank itself is generally the strongest link. Oil lines, filter housings, flares and fittings are generally the most vulnerable part. We use poly coated oil line on many installations, and replace most bare copper lines running in cement.

My family has been in the heating fuels business since they delivered oil in pails. No customer has ever had a catastrophic oil spill or gas explosion like you sometimes see in the sensationalistic media.

On the subject of handles, The handles on most oil tanks used by the manufacturer, the resellers, during transportation for tiedown and by people that like wrenching their backs and banging their knees. We use Hamco Tank Handles, and a hand truck on most tanks.

http://www.hamcotanksystems.com/product_hndls.php
bas157
Original Author
16 years ago
Markjames, the copper lines running in cement is another reason I'm looking to replace the tank. The shutoff valve at the bottom of the tank no longer works (it won't close the line off) so in order to replace the copper in the concrete, it'll be a little tricky from what I've been told. My tank is almost empty, so I'm either going to get the valve replaced and a new line run, or an entirely new tank/lines.
I had my boiler replaced about 17 months ago, so if I get a new tank, then I should be good to go for a while!

I did find someone selling a 1 year old Roth DWT1000 for $975. The owner said he paid $2800 for it, so I'm guessing the $2300 from the one place is a reasonable cost for that particular tank. Not sure about buying a used tank. It should last just fine, but there would be no warranty and I'll still have to pay someone a few hundred I guess to install it.
markjames
16 years ago
We don't mess with used tanks of any kind.

Roth Safety Tanks must be installed by a qualified installer for warranty purposes, and reinstallation at a different location voids the warranty of most tanks.

"Only technicians who have successfully completed an installation training course given by Roth representatives are permitted to install these tanks using the installation tools and guidelines described in this manual. Roth will maintain records of individuals who have successfully completed this training. Proper installation of each tank shall be acknowledged when one copy of the Warranty Certificate is completed and signed by the installing technician.

Reinstallation of the tank at a new location will void the warranty."

"I had my boiler replaced about 17 months ago, so if I get a new tank, then I should be good to go for a while!"

I'm in my 30s and figure I'll be retired before many tanks, boilers and furnaces I've installed will need replacement unless they're neglected.

Double-wall tanks for home heating oil?

mr_havac

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Double-wall tanks for home heating oil?

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