Many older BC homes were once heated with oil, and some still have an underground oil tank buried in the yard — often forgotten. A leaking tank is a serious environmental and financial liability, so it's worth knowing if your property has one.
Why they matter
An old steel tank corrodes underground and can leak heating oil into the soil and groundwater. Cleaning up contaminated soil is expensive, and the property owner is responsible. A buried tank can also block insurance and complicate or kill a home sale.
Finding out
Signs include an old fill pipe or vent pipe near the house, capped lines in the basement, or records of oil heat. Specialized companies can scan a yard for a buried tank. During a purchase, a tank scan is a wise precaution on older homes.
What to do
If you have a buried tank, the safe path is professional removal and, if needed, soil testing and remediation, with documentation. Many municipalities require permits for removal. Don't ignore a known tank — the liability only grows, and it surfaces at sale time.