What Is an Oil Tank Sweep? A Plain Guide for NJ Homeowners
An oil tank sweep is a search of a property for a buried heating oil tank. It is done with equipment that detects things underground, so no one has to dig up the yard to find out.
Why they exist
For decades many New Jersey homes were heated with oil stored in a tank buried near the house. When owners switched to gas or electric, the tank often stayed in the ground. Over time, the house changed hands and the memory of the tank faded. A sweep answers a simple question: is there a tank on this property?
What the equipment does
Metal detectors and electromagnetic locators respond to buried steel. Ground penetrating radar sends signals into the ground and records the echoes, producing a picture of what is below. Used together they give a clearer answer than either alone. We explain the difference in Ground Penetrating Radar vs. Metal Detector for Oil Tanks.
What you get
A good sweep ends with a written report: where the technician searched, which methods were used, what was found and where, and what could not be searched. See What Should an Oil Tank Sweep Report Include?.
Who orders a sweep
Buyers of older homes, usually during the inspection period. Sellers who want a clear answer before listing. Homeowners who have found a vent pipe, an old oil line, or a sign of a tank. Real estate agents and attorneys who recommend the step as routine.
What a sweep is not
It is not tank removal, and it is not a cleanup. It also cannot guarantee that every buried object will be found. We cover the limits in Can an Oil Tank Sweep Miss a Tank?.
What happens if it finds something
If the equipment shows a signal that could be a tank, the usual next step is an exploratory dig, a small opening to see what the object is. If it is a tank, you then decide whether to leave it or remove it. The NJDEP says there is no state requirement to remove a residential tank if there is no sign of a discharge. Removal of an underground tank must be done by a certified firm.
How to book
Oil Tank Scan NJ performs oil tank sweeps across New Jersey. Learn more on our oil tank sweep page, call 732-673-1584, or book online.
