In the past, many New Jersey homes as well as homes in neighboring states used fuel oil heating systems. As time has gone on, the availability of modern gas lines and other technological advancements have gradually moved homes toward other heating systems. Yet with many homes, especially those in rural locations, the older fuel oil tanks remain.
If you have a home with a pre-existing fuel oil tank, or an unused fuel oil tank, or you are thinking about bidding on a home with a tank that was installed before 1980, it’s wise to have a property sweep performed. This is even more warranted if the property was previously foreclosed or was uninhabited for any period.
A property without documented history on the fuel oil tank or other tanks on the property should also be a red flag that says a property sweep or tank inspection is needed. In some of these cases, preexisting, unused tanks, may not have been closed or sealed properly. As time goes on, other fluids and weather changes could affect the integrity of the tank.