moving an oil tank

typhoon

am trying to create more space in the garden and would like to move the oil tank, only about 20ft. Does anyone know if this is a big and expensive job? Moving this and also an old shed would really open the garden up. Thanks

rjh090384

my husband did ours...you need to have the new one already sited tehn had to hire pump to transfer the oil over.

Old_Git

don't no the price but its not a big job . My brother got his moved .You need to empty the tank as much as possible .My brother ran out off oil and was told to tilt the tank a bit to get another day out off it .

Annie50

Be very careful who you get to do this. My friend employed a relative who spilt oil - it's actually an environmental disaster - cost her thousands to clean up between her garden and neighbours - not to mention the stress! Make sure tank is empty!

Wookey

Shouldn't cost to much if you do most of the work yourself. There is no need to build walls to set the tank on, a simple shuttered concrete raft or some plain 3x2 slabs bedded down will suffice for a base.

Virtually all new oil boilers can use a device called a tiger loop, it simply allows the oil tank to be below the level of the boiler and utilises the oil pump within the burner to draw the oil up.

Dig a small narrow trench and roll out a coil of microbore from where the existing tank is to where the new one is going (keep it down at least deep enough to avoid any gardening accidents with a spade). Allow your tank to run out once you have all the prep done, 4 strong blokes will have no problem lifting the tank with a drop of oil left in it.

Once in place you can have your local plumber come connect up the new-old pipe, tiger loop (if needed) and reconnect the tank. Shouln't cost much more than £200 all in.

Thesneakysneak

Yes be very careful,my brother had workmen in who fractured the pipeline.The clean up nearly cost £30,000 pounds counldnt live in the house for three months it was a nightmare.

ooo000ooo

Old_Git wrote: »

don't no the price but its not a big job . My brother got his moved .You need to empty the tank as much as possible .My brother ran out off oil and was told to tilt the tank a bit to get another day out off it .

Due to some work going on out the back we had to do this recently, the boiler sucked up some dirt at the bottom of the tank and wouldn't restart when filled. Cost us 40 quid to get our boiler guy out who had to replace a blocked nozzle

Pretani

I second the advice not to tip your oil tank up. Keep it as level as possible when moving it. Remove excess oil by suction.

This may be the time to consider buying a double skinned oil tank, if you haven't already got one. It will prevent thieves from nicking your oil, also buy an anti syphon lock for your tank.

As suggested, do the donkey work yourself, but then get a professional to connect everything up.

a few tips-

- try to pipe around the edges of the garden, instead of diagonally. Make a note of where they are.

- place some sand in the bottom of your trench to cushion the pipes.

- cover the pipes with some lagging.