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Underground tanks were not intended to become problems; they were initially an innovative solution to home heating. When first installed, these tanks were an asset. They held essential home heating oil out of direct sunlight and away from the weather. However, over time, what was an asset soon became a liability.
These tanks have transformed from irreplaceable infrastructure to a safety risk. In British Columbia, tanks sit underneath old properties, often unbeknownst to the tenants above. Their lifecycle is no longer defined by time in use, but by the level of environmental risk they pose, and how quickly GPR tank locating experts can identify and safely remove them.
Throughout the 1930s and up until the end of the 1970s, burying oil tanks underground was a very common practice. Fuel for heat was easily accessible, but burying the tank saved space and kept properties tidy. Governments, schools, farms, and homes all utilized them. However, they were buried without much thought about what might happen when the tanks were no longer needed. In the beginning, documentation related to these underground tanks was minimal. Blueprints didn’t explicitly mark locations, and few considered that these tanks would still be relevant generations later.
When natural gas and other cleaner, more efficient fuels began replacing oil, these underground storage tanks were no longer necessary. Some were formally closed, emptied, cleaned, and capped with sand or chemicals. Others were just left behind. All too frequently today, we find tanks that were partially emptied, with residual oil posing a great risk to the earth, water, and property value.
Buried underground oil tanks were only intended to last 20 to 25 years, and those left behind have long exceeded their life expectancy. These abandoned, corroding tanks can slowly begin to leak oil, creating areas of soil contamination that often go undetected until the property is sold, developed, or excavated. This is where GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) tank locating becomes an essential part of the process, helping to identify hidden risks before they become bigger problems.
Property owners are often aware of the existence of underground oil tanks until a situation arises where they need to provide evidence that there isn’t a tank. Unfortunately, this is a common scenario in cases of diligence before redevelopment or a request from a buyer, mortgage provider, or insurance company. GPR helps bring these hidden tanks back into the picture. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) offers a safe, noninvasive method of imaging an underground tank. The lifecycle comes full circle once the tank can be safely removed.
Historically, property owners were not held responsible for the impacts of hidden underground infrastructure, but they are today. GPR tank locating ensures owners are held accountable by preventing any tank from quietly disappearing under the ground.
After an underground oil tank has been located, removal is the next step. This process requires more than just physical removal; compliance and environmental considerations are involved. Soil testing and soil remediation might be required in case of contamination. GPR tank locating allows trained crews to plan accurately, excavate, and remove with minimal damage and at little risk to workers and property.
Even when a tank may have been removed, the history there. Disclosures about the property, soil testing, and environmental certifications are all now assets of the property. This information confirms that the property is hazard-free, clean, and safe to use in the future.
At West Coast Tank Recover, we’re the experts who take homeowners through the hidden unknowns. GPR tank locating is just half of what we do, but it is often where we start. If you suspect that there may be an underground tank on your property, reach out to our team. We are here to shut down this lifecycle responsibly and safely.