Oil Tank Warranty problems

jennyfeffer

We have a single skinned oil tank under warranty from Titan.

When our oil was delivered, cracks were noticed at the top of the tank.

We phoned Titan, they checked the warranty and said we would be eligible for a replacement.

The engineer arrived and said that the regulations had now changed and we would need a 'bunded' tank.

Titan have offered to supply us a replacement single-skinned tank but refuse to fit it as it is now against their policy

or

have offered us a bunded tank at a reduced cost.

Could you give us some advice as I feel that it is their responsibility to replace the tank with one which complies with regulations. Why should we have to pay because they supplied us with a faulty tank in the first place, which now needs to be replaced?

Hope you can give us some advice.

Thanks!

devildog

LOL Sorry have to laugh cause at this very minute my tank is being installed!!
I had a single skin tank under warranty that was cracking at the top. I too phoned Titan and had an engineer out who stated about new regs-in my case bunded tank, fire barrier between tank and fence and the electrical earthing that is now required!!!(yikes)
Obviously because of new regs Titan cannot simply replace like for like(Build Regs)-and it is so unfair because if it hadn't split you wouldn't need to replace it. I honestly felt like you too.
What has happened in my case is that they are giving me a discount off a new bunded tank and they are paying for the installation and pump/out back of oil. I still have to pay a considerable amount for the bunded tank and for them to erect/materials fire wall and for the earthing.
I don't know whether I could of pushed to get a btter deal though-would be interested to hear some other thoughts?!
So saying, the job is more or less complete now(another 1/2 hr maybe) at least I know that it is fully compliant and I don't have to worry about it. Not cheap though!!

Rosie75

I've just had an oil delivery this morning and been told by the delivery guy that our Titan tank has this problem. Would be interested to know if the OP has got any further with this before I ring Titan.

Would also be interested to hear from either of you (or anyone else) how old your tank is (mine was installed in 2005), and how much the replacement cost you are being quoted is? The oil delivery guy said he had seen quite a few of these splitting tanks in the last few years, thinks it was a faulty batch, wrong kind of silicone used or something.

devildog

Mine was either 2004 or 2005. When it was taken away the chap wrote a number on it and said that was how many they had changed(fifty eight thousand and something) although he did not say since when and if all the returns were down to cracking. Re replacements I couldn't go for a single skin this time and had to have bunded(build regs) which I could get online for approx £1028 del. Although in the end I went with the company who were going to do the necessary work(tank cost £200 more from them) but it was then their responsibilty to deliver/man handle etc(if I had ordered one and it was damaged and a replacemnt not sent in time I would of had to pay out for engineers wasted time etc) TBH Titan(well technically now Kingspan) have been pretty good after my inititial call although half of me thinks that they should of replaced with a bunded, and the other half thinks yeh but a few more years and it would of been out of warranty and I would of have to of paid for everything. Incidently the single skin tanks now only covered by a 2 year guarantee and the bunded by a 10 year one.

Rosie75

Thanks Devildog, that's useful information, not least because my initial concern was that the tank might be out of warranty since I'd heard mention of two-year guarantees. But if the older single skin tanks had a 10-year warranty, that's a slightly better scenario that I'd feared, even if we do find that we have to upgrade to bunded. To be honest, I wouldn't want a single skin tank again anyway now that I've seen what could happen. Oil leaks are horrendous and expensive - neighbour has just spent (or, rather, claimed from her insurance) £13,000 for cleaning one up.

I'm amazed at how much these tanks cost. £1000 for a boiler I can understand. But for a large bit of moulded plastic?

devildog

Give Titan/Kingspan a call, quoting tank serial no( located (usually)top of tank close to where the oil is put in)That should get the ball rolling.
£13,000 yikes that is scary. I thought that the cracks in tank 'would go' in the night or something and I would get up to a spillage but was assured that this would not happen. Until it was changed over, a sealant (silicon?)was put over the cracks to stop water entering the tank (apparently that could be pretty costly if it entered the boiler)
I was also informed that should a leak start-Kingspan would send a company out to drain and store your oil(they would cover cost)
From tank price you can also deduct a couple of hundred discount that Titan will refund you too.

jennyfeffer

They have offered us £225 towards a new tank but we must first pay for it before we get a cheque back from them! Also they will install it which is good but my perspective is that the tank is only a couple of years old and should not have split in the first place.

We're asking them for more towards the tank and I'll let you know how we get on.

Rosie75

Thanks for the replies. It's a relief to know that the tank won't suddenly crack down the middle - I'd been worrying about this too. I've phoned Titan and am waiting for their local representative to call to arrange a visit.

Jenny - is £225 discount and installation all they've offered you? Did they not deduct the cost of the faulty tank?

jennyfeffer

Rosie75 wrote: »

Jenny - is £225 discount and installation all they've offered you? Did they not deduct the cost of the faulty tank?

They said we have to buy a Titan bunded tank (minimum £1000) from a retailer, send them the receipt and then they will send us a cheque for £225 and install the tank free of charge.

Rosie75

jennyfeffer wrote: »

They said we have to buy a Titan bunded tank (minimum £1000) from a retailer, send them the receipt and then they will send us a cheque for £225 and install the tank free of charge.

I'm not going to be happy with that. I don't mind paying the difference between the single skin and bunded tank, but I think they should reimburse the cost of the failed tank and install the new tank free of charge. Had a phone call today to say someone is coming to look at the tank next Tuesday - will see what they say.

devildog

Good luck with that I guess that they are looking at it from the perspective that although the tank is still under guarantee you have had 5/6 years use out of it and I am assuming that they deduct this 'usage' off of the total cost of a new one(only guessing though)
Keep us posted.