A sweep finds buried objects. Not every object is an oil tank, and one of the most common look-alikes is a septic tank. Here are the usual differences, and why you should confirm before acting. What each one is A septic tank is part of a household wastewater system. It collects waste from the house […]
If you want to understand why so many older New Jersey properties have buried oil tanks, look at the day the heating changed. The conversion day A homeowner decides to switch from oil to natural gas. The installer removes the burner and the boiler or furnace, connects the new system and leaves. The oil tank, […]
You do not have to do much for a sweep, but a few things help the technician see more of the property and find tanks more reliably. Clear the way Move vehicles off driveways and out of the areas to be searched. Unlock gates and tell the crew about dogs. Trim brush and move debris […]
The report is what lawyers, lenders and buyers will read, so it should be written for them. A sweep that ends with “we did not find anything” and nothing else leaves everyone guessing. What a good report contains The property and date. Address, date of the sweep, who did the work. The area searched. Often […]
Nobody puts up a sign. But houses with buried tanks often leave clues, and knowing them helps you decide whether a sweep makes sense. None of these proves a tank exists, and having none does not prove the opposite. 1. A small pipe sticking out of the ground Look near the foundation for a short […]
Short answer: yes, it can happen, and any company that says otherwise is overselling. A sweep is a search, and searches have limits. The useful question is what those limits are and how to reduce them. What reports usually say Sweep reports commonly include a line saying that no guarantee can be made that every […]
People often ask which tool is better for finding a buried oil tank. The honest answer is that they answer slightly different questions, and the best result usually comes from using both. Metal detectors and electromagnetic locators These respond to metal. A steel tank is a large mass of metal, so it produces a strong […]
If you have never had a sweep done, it can feel mysterious. In practice it is a methodical walk over the property with detection equipment. Here is the usual sequence. 1. A few questions first The technician asks about the house: age, heating history, whether there was ever an oil burner, and anything you have […]
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 […]
You bought a house, or you have lived in one for years, and you learn there is an old oil tank somewhere under the yard. It was disconnected long ago. Is it safe to leave it? The honest answer has two parts. What the rules say The NJDEP treats residential heating oil tanks as “unregulated […]
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