How to Find and Remove Water in Your Heating Oil Tank
Water is known for contaminating fuel and wreaking havoc in heating systems. It can destroy and corrode your heating oil tank, fuel lines and filters.
Not only is it corrosive, water also decreases your overall system’s efficiency and attracts bacteria, which becomes sludge that sticks to the bottom of your tank and contaminates your fuel. It can also freeze and stop the oil flow, shutting down your heating system completely.
So, if you suspect water is in your heating oil tank, your very first port of call is to remove it as soon as possible.
Don’t panic though, we are here to talk you through the process of finding and removing water in your heating oil tank.
Step 1. Use Water Finding Paste
You may suspect water is in your heating oil tank because your boiler is playing up, but it’s best to be absolutely sure.
To confirm water at the bottom of your tank, use water finding paste. Simply apply the paste to one end of a stick and lower it to the tank’s bottom.. If the paste changes colour, there is definitely water present in your tank.
Your OFTEC-accredited Heating Engineer should check this during annual inspections, but it’s useful to know how to do it yourself if necessary!
Step 2: Remove the Water
As water is so damaging, you want to get rid of it as soon as you can, before it gets into the rest of your heating system.
Your best bet is to contact us, and we will arrange a reputable OFTEC-qualified Heating Engineer to remove the water. Depending on the amount of water in your tank, it may be a case of using a water absorbent tank sponge, or a pump for removal.
Our Heating Engineer will safely dispose of the water at a waste site. Hiring a licensed OFTEC Heating Engineer will ensure safe disposal.
Your OFTEC Heating Engineer will test and may replace any contaminated pipes and filters in your heating system.
Step 3: Protect Your Heating Oil Tank from Future Water Ingress
Take the following measures to protect your heating oil tank from water:
Keep up with annual heating oil tank inspections by an OFTEC Registered Heating Engineer every 12 months.
Ensure lids and caps are fixed and secure.
Check the outer-bund of your heating oil tank for water or oil.
Inspect your tank regularly for signs of physical damage or leaks.
Keep any surrounding foliage cut back to prevent water from leaves or branches dripping onto your tank.
These small steps will reduce the risk of rainwater entering your tank and damaging your heating system.
