Question about old heating oil tank
 

My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have no
idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it
spring a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil leak
just until a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky automobile
gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold for a
while, would that work?

- Logic316


"Science is not a sacred cow. Science is a horse. Don't worship it. Feed
it."

Question about old heating oil tank
 

On Oct 31, 11:48*pm, "Logic316" wrote:
My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have no
idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it
spring a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil leak
just until a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky automobile
gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold for a
while, would that work?

- Logic316

"Science is not a sacred cow. Science is a horse. Don't worship it. Feed
it."

they sell plastic pans that fit under the tank to catch leaks; you're
supposed to eyeball it frequently enough, i guess. i presume any leak
from rust will start out slowly, rather than just blow.

i note that commercial buildings around here which install new oil
tanks outside now put them in a large concrete bathtub which would
hold the entire tank contents.

Question about old heating oil tank
 

On Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:48:52 -0400, "Logic316"
wrote:


My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have no
idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it
spring a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil leak
just until a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky automobile
gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold for a
while, would that work?

Dump a cup or two or very fine sawdust in it.


- Logic316


"Science is not a sacred cow. Science is a horse. Don't worship it. Feed
it."


--
Click here every day to feed an animal that needs you today !!!
www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Paul ( pjm @ pobox . com ) - remove spaces to email me
'Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.'
'With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine.'
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Question about old heating oil tank
 

Logic316 wrote:
My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have no
idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it
spring a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil leak
just until a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky automobile
gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold for a
while, would that work?

- Logic316


"Science is not a sacred cow. Science is a horse. Don't worship it. Feed
it."



It is pretty difficult to do a meaningful inspection of an oil tank that
is filled or partially filled. Thats why some insurers demand that old
tanks be replaced. The leak could vary from lots of dripping to a
blowout. Blowouts usually happen when the tank is being filled.

Question about old heating oil tank
 

Logic316 wrote:

My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have no
idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it
spring a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil leak
just until a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky automobile
gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold for a
while, would that work?


They do ultrasonic inspection on steel boat hulls, however given the
pretty low cost of a new oil tank, the cheapest thing is typically to
proactively replace them if there is any indication of deterioration.

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Bubba" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:48:52 -0400, "Logic316"
wrote:

You continue to amaze me with your cheapness and stupidity.
Its obvious your tank is old and an accident waiting to happen.
Why not do it now before you tank leaks/busts/ruptures? You obviously
will do it yourself since you seem to know everything. How hard is it
to go buy a tank with the screw on legs, get a buddy and a dolly and a
12 pack and put a new one in place? Make sure you put a bottom drain
with shut-off to periodically drain off the bottom contents to remove
water and sediment. Put the whole tank in a pan. Convert it to a two
pipe change your filter and nozzle and you are good to go.
With the excess oil you burn being a tightass tuning your own boiler,
surely you wont mind spending a few hundred bucks to change out your
tank.
Bubba

I know I'm feeding a troll here, but what if somebody's in a situation where
he's planning to sell the house soon anyway?
Didn't think of that, did you?

- Logic316

Expert:(n) from EX as in 'has been' and SPURT, 'a little drip under
pressure'.

Question about old heating oil tank
 

wrote in message
...
On Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:48:52 -0400, "Logic316"
wrote:


My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have
no
idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it
spring a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil leak
just until a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky
automobile
gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold for a
while, would that work?

Dump a cup or two or very fine sawdust in it.

Oh yeah, I forgot all about my jar of fine sawdust oil coagulant, it's in my
garage right next to the box of muffler bearings and the quart of blinker
fluid.

- Logic316

Logic: n. The art of thinking and reasoning in strict accordance with the
limitations and incapacities of the human misunderstanding.
-- Ambrose Bierce

Question about old heating oil tank
 

wrote in message
...
On Sat, 1 Nov 2008 16:54:27 -0400, "Logic316"

Then you are legally obligated to disclose all defects, not
just put a bandaid on them.

Didn't think of that, did you?

But there ain't no defect, until there's an actual leak.

- Logic316

"Indecision is the key to flexibility."

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Logic316" wrote in message
...

"Bubba" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:48:52 -0400, "Logic316"
wrote:

You continue to amaze me with your cheapness and stupidity.
Its obvious your tank is old and an accident waiting to happen.
Why not do it now before you tank leaks/busts/ruptures? You obviously
will do it yourself since you seem to know everything. How hard is it
to go buy a tank with the screw on legs, get a buddy and a dolly and a
12 pack and put a new one in place? Make sure you put a bottom drain
with shut-off to periodically drain off the bottom contents to remove
water and sediment. Put the whole tank in a pan. Convert it to a two
pipe change your filter and nozzle and you are good to go.
With the excess oil you burn being a tightass tuning your own boiler,
surely you wont mind spending a few hundred bucks to change out your
tank.
Bubba

I know I'm feeding a troll here, but what if somebody's in a situation
where he's planning to sell the house soon anyway?
Didn't think of that, did you?

Actually a new tank is a selling feature, you hype the brand new tank rather
than trying to hide an old tank. A property inspection may find the old tank
and would probably cause the buyer to offer a lower price because he will
find out that he will need to replace it.

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Logic316" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
...
On Sat, 1 Nov 2008 16:54:27 -0400, "Logic316"

Then you are legally obligated to disclose all defects, not
just put a bandaid on them.

Didn't think of that, did you?

But there ain't no defect, until there's an actual leak.

Until the buyer actually *PAYS* a competent, licensed, insured,
professionally trained tech to go over the system with a fine tooth comb and
the new owner demands that either the whole system be replaced, or that
estimated replacement cost is credited against the purchase price.

Didn't think of that, did you?

Question about old heating oil tank
 

On Sat, 1 Nov 2008 16:54:27 -0400, "Logic316"
wrote:


"Bubba" wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:48:52 -0400, "Logic316"
wrote:

You continue to amaze me with your cheapness and stupidity.
Its obvious your tank is old and an accident waiting to happen.
Why not do it now before you tank leaks/busts/ruptures? You obviously
will do it yourself since you seem to know everything. How hard is it
to go buy a tank with the screw on legs, get a buddy and a dolly and a
12 pack and put a new one in place? Make sure you put a bottom drain
with shut-off to periodically drain off the bottom contents to remove
water and sediment. Put the whole tank in a pan. Convert it to a two
pipe change your filter and nozzle and you are good to go.
With the excess oil you burn being a tightass tuning your own boiler,
surely you wont mind spending a few hundred bucks to change out your
tank.
Bubba

I know I'm feeding a troll here, but what if somebody's in a situation where
he's planning to sell the house soon anyway?
Didn't think of that, did you?

Then you are legally obligated to disclose all defects, not
just put a bandaid on them.

Didn't think of that, did you?



- Logic316

Expert:(n) from EX as in 'has been' and SPURT, 'a little drip under
pressure'.


--
Click here every day to feed an animal that needs you today !!!
www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Paul ( pjm @ pobox . com ) - remove spaces to email me
'Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.'
'With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine.'
HVAC/R program for Palm PDA's
Free demo online at www.pmilligan.net/palm/
Free 'People finder' program now at www.pmilligan.net/finder.htm

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"EXT" wrote in message
anews.com...
Actually a new tank is a selling feature, you hype the brand new tank
rather
than trying to hide an old tank. A property inspection may find the old
tank
and would probably cause the buyer to offer a lower price because he will
find out that he will need to replace it.

How much do they go for?

- Logic316

"Before I criticize a man, I walk a mile in his shoes. That
way, if he gets angry, he's a mile away and barefoot."

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Noon-Air" wrote in message
...

Until the buyer actually *PAYS* a competent, licensed, insured,
professionally trained tech to go over the system with a fine tooth comb
and the new owner demands that either the whole system be replaced, or
that estimated replacement cost is credited against the purchase price.

Didn't think of that, did you?

But that just brings us back to my original question. How exactly do *I*
tell if my oil tank is on it's last legs? Otherwise, any reasonable
homeowner must assume that if it's not leaking, then it's still good, no
matter how old it may be.

- Logic316


"CYNIC, n. A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as
they ought to be. Hence the custom among the Scythians of plucking out a
cynic's eyes to improve his vision."
-- Ambrose Bierce

Question about old heating oil tank
 

On Sat, 1 Nov 2008 17:03:17 -0400, "Logic316"
wrote:


wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:48:52 -0400, "Logic316"
wrote:


My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have
no
idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it
spring a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil leak
just until a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky
automobile
gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold for a
while, would that work?

Dump a cup or two or very fine sawdust in it.

Oh yeah, I forgot all about my jar of fine sawdust oil coagulant, it's in my
garage right next to the box of muffler bearings and the quart of blinker
fluid.

And don't forget to put the winter air in your tires, it's
getting cold out :-)


--
Click here every day to feed an animal that needs you today !!!
www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Paul ( pjm @ pobox . com ) - remove spaces to email me
'Some days, it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.'
'With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine.'
HVAC/R program for Palm PDA's
Free demo online at www.pmilligan.net/palm/
Free 'People finder' program now at www.pmilligan.net/finder.htm

Question about old heating oil tank
 

Logic316 wrote:
"Noon-Air" wrote in message
...

Until the buyer actually *PAYS* a competent, licensed, insured,
professionally trained tech to go over the system with a fine tooth comb
and the new owner demands that either the whole system be replaced, or
that estimated replacement cost is credited against the purchase price.

Didn't think of that, did you?

But that just brings us back to my original question. How exactly do *I*
tell if my oil tank is on it's last legs? Otherwise, any reasonable
homeowner must assume that if it's not leaking, then it's still good, no
matter how old it may be.

- Logic316


"CYNIC, n. A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as
they ought to be. Hence the custom among the Scythians of plucking out a
cynic's eyes to improve his vision."
-- Ambrose Bierce


hit it with a hammer and if oil comes out it is bad.

Question about old heating oil tank
 

On Nov 1, 3:23*pm, "Logic316" wrote:

But that just brings us back to my original question. How exactly do *I*
tell if my oil tank is on it's last legs? Otherwise, any reasonable
homeowner must assume that if it's not leaking, then it's still good, no
matter how old it may be.

- Logic316

You might be able to use an ultrasonic thickness meter. I am not sure
how thick the metal is on an oil tank. The meters I found on ebay
have a lower limit of about 1 mm. So if the tanks are made of 11
gauge steel, they would work fairly well.

Dan

Question about old heating oil tank
 

On Nov 1, 9:53�pm, wrote:
On Nov 1, 3:23�pm, "Logic316" wrote:

But that just brings us back to my original question. How exactly do *I*
tell if my oil tank is on it's last legs? Otherwise, any reasonable
homeowner must assume that if it's not leaking, then it's still good, no
matter how old it may be.

- Logic316

You might be able to use an ultrasonic thickness meter. �I am not sure
how thick the metal is on an oil tank. �The meters I found on ebay
have a lower limit of about 1 mm. �So if the tanks are made of 11
gauge steel, they would work fairly well.

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �Dan

ahh the perspective homeowner wouldnt be able to get homeowners
insurance if the tank is over 20 years old........

other issues that make homeowners insurane tough to impossible to get.

fuse boxes, cracked ior boken / uneven sidewalks, bad roof, poor
overall condition K&T wiring.

The list is very long, and the buyters market will only make it
worse...

if the home has issuesa a big price cut is coming, beyond the national
25% drop.

tough time to sell

Question about old heating oil tank
 

wrote in message


ahh the perspective homeowner wouldnt be able to get homeowners
insurance if the tank is over 20 years old........

************************************************** *****************

Nonsense. Houses are sold and insured every day with tanks that are 30
years and older. There may be a few instances where that is true, but I
know of plenty that have never had a problem.

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Logic316" wrote in message
...

My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have
no idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan?

Yes, however It would be very expensive.

And should it spring a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly
patching an oil leak just until a new tank can be installed?

No, no tricks.

They say that with leaky automobile gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap
into the hole and it would hold for a while, would that work?


I do not belive so.

-zero

- Logic316


"Science is not a sacred cow. Science is a horse. Don't worship it. Feed
it."

Question about old heating oil tank
 

On Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:19:24 -0400, George
wrote:

Logic316 wrote:
My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have no
idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it
spring a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil leak
just until a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky automobile
gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold for a
while, would that work?

- Logic316


"Science is not a sacred cow. Science is a horse. Don't worship it. Feed
it."



It is pretty difficult to do a meaningful inspection of an oil tank that
is filled or partially filled. Thats why some insurers demand that old
tanks be replaced. The leak could vary from lots of dripping to a
blowout. Blowouts usually happen when the tank is being filled.

If thereis ANY question, drain and replace the tank. Any idea how long
it takes to get the smell of furnace oil out of a basement?????

Question about old heating oil tank
 

On Sat, 1 Nov 2008 16:54:27 -0400, "Logic316"
wrote:


"Bubba" wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:48:52 -0400, "Logic316"
wrote:

You continue to amaze me with your cheapness and stupidity.
Its obvious your tank is old and an accident waiting to happen.
Why not do it now before you tank leaks/busts/ruptures? You obviously
will do it yourself since you seem to know everything. How hard is it
to go buy a tank with the screw on legs, get a buddy and a dolly and a
12 pack and put a new one in place? Make sure you put a bottom drain
with shut-off to periodically drain off the bottom contents to remove
water and sediment. Put the whole tank in a pan. Convert it to a two
pipe change your filter and nozzle and you are good to go.
With the excess oil you burn being a tightass tuning your own boiler,
surely you wont mind spending a few hundred bucks to change out your
tank.
Bubba

I know I'm feeding a troll here, but what if somebody's in a situation where
he's planning to sell the house soon anyway?
Didn't think of that, did you?

- Logic316

Expert:(n) from EX as in 'has been' and SPURT, 'a little drip under
pressure'.

If you change it now the new buyer won't knock your price down due to
an oil poluted basement.

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Logic316" wrote in message
...

My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have no
idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it spring
a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil leak just until
a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky automobile gas tanks,
you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold for a while, would
that work?


I acquired a used air compressor tank that I wanted to verify was safe. I talked
to the "boiler and pressure vessel" inspector for the city, who volunteered to
drop by and checked multiple locations on the tank for thickness using a
handheld ultrasonic thickness guage. So yes, it should be possible. Finding the
tool, or someone to do it might be a problem.

Question about old heating oil tank
 

On Nov 2, 6:27�am, "Bob F" wrote:
"Logic316" wrote in message

...



My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have no
idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it spring
a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil leak just until
a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky automobile gas tanks,
you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold for a while, would
that work?

I acquired a used air compressor tank that I wanted to verify was safe. I talked
to the "boiler and pressure vessel" inspector for the city, who volunteered to
drop by and checked multiple locations on the tank for thickness using a
handheld ultrasonic thickness guage. So yes, it should be possible. Finding the
tool, or someone to do it might be a problem.

in the case of a home sale they will want a certified guaranteed
inspection.

no doubt that will cost more than a new tank

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Ed Pawlowski" wrote in message
...

wrote in message


ahh the perspective homeowner wouldnt be able to get homeowners
insurance if the tank is over 20 years old........

************************************************** *****************

Nonsense. Houses are sold and insured every day with tanks that are 30
years and older. There may be a few instances where that is true, but I
know of plenty that have never had a problem.

Actually, it is not nonsense. Insurance companies are finding that a leaking
tank can cost them many thousands of dollars to cover contamination of the
house and soil under the house. Many if not most have set an arbitrary life
on a fuel tank of 20 years. They are decreeing that they must be replaced
whether they look good or not and some want them replaced with a double wall
tank. I have a friend that had the threat of cancelling his insurance if he
didn't replace the tank.

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Logic316" wrote in message
...
They say that with leaky automobile gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap
into the hole and it would hold for a while, would that work?

Sure. Shove a bar of soap up your ass.
When you fart, bubbles will form.

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Logic316" wrote in message
...
They say that with leaky automobile gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap
into the hole and it would hold for a while, would that work?

Sure. Shove a bar of soap up your ass.
When you fart, bubbles will form.

Question about old heating oil tank
 

On Sat, 1 Nov 2008 23:12:34 -0400, "Ed Pawlowski"
wrote:


wrote in message


ahh the perspective homeowner wouldnt be able to get homeowners
insurance if the tank is over 20 years old........

************************************************* ******************

Nonsense. Houses are sold and insured every day with tanks that are 30
years and older. There may be a few instances where that is true, but I
know of plenty that have never had a problem.

Virtually impossible to get insurance on a new purchase with a 30 year
old tank in Ontario

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Bubba" wrote in message
...

Call a competent oil company tech

Thanks, but at this point I've determined that to be an oxymoron.

- Logic316


"ERROR 406: file corrupt: config.earth -- reboot universe? (Y/N)"

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Ed Pawlowski" wrote in message
...

Nonsense. Houses are sold and insured every day with tanks that are 30
years and older. There may be a few instances where that is true, but I
know of plenty that have never had a problem.

I concur.
My tank was there long before I was born, and none of the home insurance
companies I've dealt with gave me a problem about it. But hey, the way
environmental laws are evolving these days, I'll certainly take into
consideration that having a tank 35+ years old (leaking or not) *might*
become an issue for me in the future. I'm glad I brought it up.

- Logic316


"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it."
-- Groucho Marx

Question about old heating oil tank
 

wrote in message
...
On Sat, 1 Nov 2008 16:54:27 -0400, "Logic316"

If you change it now the new buyer won't knock your price down due to
an oil poluted basement.

It's a high-gloss enamel coated floor. Unlikely any dripping oil would
contaminate the concrete or ground under it. And with the oil pooling on top
of the floor with no place to go, it would be kind of hard for me to not
notice a leak. Of course, the way the oil company guys tend to carelessly
spill oil onto the ground next to the filler spout by the side of my house,
well, maybe I won't get into that.......

- Logic316


"Engineering is the art of making what you want from things you can get."

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Bubba" wrote in message
...

So then in your translation what you are saying is:
You have an old oil tank, you know it is rusting through, you know it
is in bad shape BUT you want to **** the guy who is buying the home.
Same ol Same ol.
Get it replaced and move on.
Bubba

Hardly.
I DON"T know how much rust may or may not be in the bottom of that tank. But
if it's not leaking, then it's not leaking. I just want to know how to apply
a temporary fix until I could put a new tank in, in the event that it starts
dripping. Stop making ASSumptions. I see no reason to change something now
just because *maybe* years down the road either I or the next homeowner
*might* possibly have a problem. Otherwise, you might as well replace
everything in the whole damn house "just in case", and that's just getting
stupid. I don't care if you think that makes me a cheapass. If you're
selling something that's old, a buyer can't expect absolutely everything to
be guaranteed. It's much the same as with selling off your old car - the
buyer, to some extent, has to take into consideration that he may run into
problems sooner than if he bought it brand new.

- Logic316


"If there is anything the nonconformist hates worse than a conformist it's
another nonconformist who doesn't conform to the prevailing standards of
nonconformity."

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"HVAC" wrote in message
...

"Logic316" wrote in message
...
They say that with leaky automobile gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap
into the hole and it would hold for a while, would that work?

Sure. Shove a bar of soap up your ass.
When you fart, bubbles will form.

Can I liquify the bubbles and use them for fuel? Really, I'm strapped for
cash here...

- Logic316


"Engineering is the art of making what you want from things you can get."

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Logic316" wrote in message
...

"Bubba" wrote in message
...

So then in your translation what you are saying is:
You have an old oil tank, you know it is rusting through, you know it
is in bad shape BUT you want to **** the guy who is buying the home.
Same ol Same ol.
Get it replaced and move on.
Bubba

Hardly.
I DON"T know how much rust may or may not be in the bottom of that tank.
But if it's not leaking, then it's not leaking. I just want to know how to
apply a temporary fix until I could put a new tank in, in the event that
it starts dripping. Stop making ASSumptions. I see no reason to change
something now just because *maybe* years down the road either I or the
next homeowner *might* possibly have a problem. Otherwise, you might as
well replace everything in the whole damn house "just in case", and that's
just getting stupid. I don't care if you think that makes me a cheapass.
If you're selling something that's old, a buyer can't expect absolutely
everything to be guaranteed. It's much the same as with selling off your
old car - the buyer, to some extent, has to take into consideration that
he may run into problems sooner than if he bought it brand new.

So you wouldn't have a problem with buying a home from someone like you.
Personally, I would also have to ask.. whatelse in the house have you
screwed with that is gonna give me a problem.

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Steve" wrote in message
...

So you wouldn't have a problem with buying a home from someone like you.

I would answer all questions honestly. If a buyer asks me how old the boiler
and the oil tank is, I would tell him. If he wants to know how much fuel it
uses, I would show him my oil bills (I have all the receipts going back 7
years). Like I said, if you buy an old car from somebody, even though he
should point out any known defects, it's still your job to ask all the right
questions and look it over carefully (or insist that an expert examine it),
but to still expect the possibility that something might go wrong sooner
than if you bought it brand new. If you have a problem with that, then maybe
they should just make it illegal for anybody to ever sell anything in used
condition?


Personally, I would also have to ask.. whatelse in the house have you
screwed with that is gonna give me a problem.

I'm not sure what you mean. I haven't touched the oil tank, except once just
to clean out the whistle.

- Logic316


"...trusting the government with your privacy is like
having a Peeping Tom install your window blinds."
-- John Perry Barlow

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Logic316" wrote in message
...

"Steve" wrote in message
...

So you wouldn't have a problem with buying a home from someone like you.

I would answer all questions honestly.

Somehow I have doubts...

If a buyer asks me how old the boiler
and the oil tank is,

And if he aske you how much longer it's gonna last ?

I would tell him. If he wants to know how much fuel it
uses, I would show him my oil bills (I have all the receipts going back 7
years). Like I said, if you buy an old car from somebody, even though he
should point out any known defects, it's still your job to ask all the
right
questions and look it over carefully (or insist that an expert examine
it),
but to still expect the possibility that something might go wrong sooner
than if you bought it brand new. If you have a problem with that, then
maybe
they should just make it illegal for anybody to ever sell anything in used
condition?


Tyhe whole idea is based upon a stupit premise anyways go away quit flipping
houses asshole...

--either he wants the house or not--now, if you dont want it then quit
wasting my time cause Im not gonna replace the roof, carpets hvac paint
upograde electric plant palm trees install a telescope and solar cells
etc. just because you and your realtor think it *might make the place more
attractive to the average buyer.


Personally, I would also have to ask.. whatelse in the house have you
screwed with that is gonna give me a problem.

I'm not sure what you mean. I haven't touched the oil tank, except once
just
to clean out the whistle.

- Logic316


"...trusting the government with your privacy is like
having a Peeping Tom install your window blinds."
-- John Perry Barlow

Question about old heating oil tank
 

On Oct 31, 9:48*pm, "Logic316" wrote:
My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have no
idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it
spring a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil leak
just until a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky automobile
gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold for a
while, would that work?

- Logic316

"Science is not a sacred cow. Science is a horse. Don't worship it. Feed
it."

Is the outside rusty? I would think that the inside would not rust
very fast, since part of the time it is immersed in fuel oil, and the
rest of the time the air inside is pretty stagnant. In short there is
not a large continuous supply of fresh air and moisture, as with, say,
a bucket, car, or other steel object left outside. -- H

Question about old heating oil tank
 

On Mon, 3 Nov 2008 11:40:47 -0800 (PST), Heathcliff
wrote:

On Oct 31, 9:48*pm, "Logic316" wrote:
My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have no
idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan? And should it
spring a leak one day, is there any trick for quickly patching an oil leak
just until a new tank can be installed? They say that with leaky automobile
gas tanks, you can rub a bar of soap into the hole and it would hold for a
while, would that work?

- Logic316

"Science is not a sacred cow. Science is a horse. Don't worship it. Feed
it."

Is the outside rusty? I would think that the inside would not rust
very fast, since part of the time it is immersed in fuel oil, and the
rest of the time the air inside is pretty stagnant. In short there is
not a large continuous supply of fresh air and moisture, as with, say,
a bucket, car, or other steel object left outside. -- H

Bad guess.


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Question about old heating oil tank
 

On Oct 31, 9:48 pm, "Logic316" wrote:
My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I have no
idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan?


How old is "pretty old"?

Typically some water gets pumped into the tank at each delivery.
The water sinks to the bottom, the oil floats on top of that water.
The water rusts out the inside of the tank, resulting in unexpected leaks.

Last month I had a 20 year old, buried 290 gallon tank at my home
replaced with an above ground oil tank.
The building inspector said 50 percent of the buried tanks he sees are
leakers.
I should of asked him what is the average age of the leakers.

Steve

Question about old heating oil tank
 

Its quite obvious you havent sold any homes lately. Living with a
realtor, Im quite up on the subject. Most new homebuyers now hire a
home inspector for a home they are interested in. Some are incompetent
and some are very very thorough. Right down to ungrounded electrical
outlets and cracks in walls and foundations that you done even notice.
They also know ages and life spans of things like furnaces and air
conditioners, etc. There is a good reason for home inspectors and that
is because of people like you Logic. Guys like you that futz with all
your own chit and patch it together with chewing gum and duct tape.
When you sell you get to fill out discloseure forms. If they find out
you lie they can come back years later to sue your ass although anyone
can sue anyone for anything. Comparing a home sale to a car sale is
almost funny. You need a dose or reality logic.
Bubba-

bubba you are absiolutely correct. a nearby homeowner sold a house
with a bad sewer line, new owner had flood, from sewage backup...

new owener called plumber who said yeah i told old owner main line was
bad, not disclosed old owener paid for all new sewer line, wall and
yard replacement and new driveway.

new owner didnt care much about costs, old owner poaid thru nose.

Question about old heating oil tank
 

"Steve Stone" wrote in message
...
On Oct 31, 9:48 pm, "Logic316" wrote:
My heating oil tank is pretty old, and is located in my basement. I
have no
idea how much rust might be inside it. Is there any way to gauge it's
structural integrity and approximate remaining lifespan?


How old is "pretty old"?

Typically some water gets pumped into the tank at each delivery.
The water sinks to the bottom, the oil floats on top of that water.
The water rusts out the inside of the tank, resulting in unexpected leaks.

Last month I had a 20 year old, buried 290 gallon tank at my home replaced
with an above ground oil tank.
The building inspector said 50 percent of the buried tanks he sees are
leakers.
I should of asked him what is the average age of the leakers.

Well, it was there since before I was born and I'm sure it was there when my
dad bought the house. So it's 37 years old, at least. I've been pouring a
gallon of alcohol into the tank every year for the past 10 years just to
help keep it clean and get rid of any condensation. It's mounted above the
floor, so I imagine it would probably last somewhat longer on average than
one that's buried. The thing I don't understand is, why the hell didn't the
manufacturers bother galvanizing these tanks? Like a little coat of zinc
would have killed them?

- Logic316


"Only two industries refer to their customers as 'users': computer companies
and drug dealers."
-- Edward Tufte