Wild weather and varied temperatures can cause problems if you use a domestic oil heating tank as it can lead to leaks. 

This winter’s volatile climate has seen ATG Group being called out to a high number of emergency domestic oil spills across the UK and Ireland. And with more storms forecast, we expect to remain busy. 

Environment Director Ciaran O’Neill has warned homeowners to check their central heating oil tanks before there is an issue. Many tanks that are nearing their end of their lives are prone to problems when temperatures vary so much. 

He added: “We experienced a week of extreme cold and ice and the resulting thaw has resulted in 12 new instructions for investigations in one week alone. 

“If your oil tank is 10-15 years old, physical damage is only natural. As the tanks get older cracks are very likely to occur due to natural deterioration over time. 

“When temperatures fall, it can cause the tank to become brittle and more likely to crack or split, especially when there is a sudden drop. So, we advise homeowners with domestic oil tanks that are over 10 years old to check them after extreme weather events. 

“Even high winds can create issues if branches or other heavy items collide with tanks and damage to the tank’s exterior.” 

Checking your domestic oil heating tank 

If you’re checking your domestic oil heating tank there are several things to look out for. This includes: 

• Evidence of staining or dying vegetation around your tank or boiler unit. 

• The smell of oil inside or outside of your home. 

• Higher usage of oil than you would normally expect 

• Check for drips from the pipework at the boiler, oil tank and filter bowl and fire valve. 

• Oil smells that are stronger than normal inside your boiler shed or around your tank. 

What should I do if my heating tank is leaking? 

As soon as you are aware of a leak, arrange for an engineer to visit and check your heating system and pipework. You shouldn’t try to clean an oil leak yourself using domestic detergents. This can cause more problems, especially if your spill starts entering a drain. You can use sand to absorb any oil. 

Cleaning oil pollution correctly can be costly, and, in most cases, you will be covered by your house insurance. If you ignore the spill, your insurance company may not cover you. It is imperative to act within a reasonable timeframe. 

What damage can oil spills cause? 

If your oil spill goes unchecked or unnoticed for a considerable amount of time, it can have huge effects on buildings. In the worst cases, it can even weaken the footings of your home. That is why you must react as soon as you discover a domestic heating oil tank leak. 

Odours can also build up and can take years to clear if the oil contamination isn’t cleaned up professionally.  

Any significant damage from oil leaks that have not been cleaned correctly can seriously impact your home’s value.  

What to do if you discover an oil spill 

Once you discover a domestic oil spill, turn off the supply at the tank. Ventilate your home by opening windows. You should try to isolate the affected rooms by closing or sealing the doors. 

Contact a specialist oil spill response company as soon as you can. You can contact ATG Group on our 24-hour emergency spill response number: 0800 8101007.