How to remove heating oil from a basement tank

[Knottscott]

Hi gang. My neighbor has switched from heating oil to natural gas and has ~ 100 gallons of oil left in his tank. Any ideas of how he can retrieve/sell/donate it?

TIA!

[pelligrini]

I've never had to mess with oil, but I'd first contact the company from whom I bought it from.

Pumping it out wouldn't be a problem, but having something to put it in might be.

[Mr__Bill]

I would suggest that he give the oil away with the condition that the oil and tank disappear. That way both the oil and tank are out of the way and disposing of an old oil tank is sometimes a problem or expense. Whomsoever takes the oil will have a way to pump it out.

Because of contamination many oil companies will not take the oil back but may move it for you if you pay a fee and have somewhere to move it to.

Bill

[Daryl]

Probably a lot of sludge, water and other contaminates at the bottom of the tank.

[toolguy1000]

whenever this has been confronted on this old house, a local company, specializing in oil tank removal, has been called in to both remove the remaining oil and dispose of the tank, in accordance with local building and environmental codes. with the penalties for improper disposal of environmentally sensitive materials being so severe, especially here in NY, i wouldn't do anything even remotely questionable.

[Knottscott]

Thanks for the great suggestions guys.

[drillman88]

We use a company called Safety Kleen at work to come in and pump out waste oil from catch tanks. If they aren't around locally, I'm sure there are some similar companies in your area.

[natausch]

Another vote for suck it up and pay for proper removal. Posting "Oil and Tank free to a good home" will not end well.