cost to 'service' oil tank?

frankie

The potential purchaser of my house is asking when the oil tank was last serviced.

Other than doing visual checks myself I have never had a service as such.

How much would such a service cost and what would be covered?

Thanks

The_Last_Username

Ah ....... I note "potential buyer".
I have NEVER heard of having your oil tank serviced and (besides owning a tank myself) I live in an area that has lots!
Methinks said "potential buyer" is looking for reasons to reduce a potential offer; I would reply that inspection is part of your (annual, I hope) boiler service which was last done on whatever date. :cool:
Further, perhaps also suggest that any potential problems of any kind should be picked-up during a full and complete survey - if that is what your "potential buyer" would like to do.

Puts the ball firmly back into their court, so to speak.

frankie

Thanks for that.

I've never heard of servicing the tank either. What could be serviced anyway? The tank could be inspected, which I do anyway when I check oil levels.

Don't think a tank service would be part of a boiler service anyway?

Just wondered if anyone had come across this before.

iris

When we last had an oil delivery the tanker driver inspected our tank and advised us that our Titan plastic tank was showing signs of 'stress/splitting' and needed replacing.


We have now replaced it with a new bunded tank and because the tank was near a fence we had to have the fence lined with Fireboard. This is all to comply with new building regulations December 2015.


The cost was an eye watering £1800 plus VAT.

Davesnave

Examining the tank visually is a regular part of annual boiler/ system maintenance, and the only serviceable item is the filter.

People (and their solicitors) ask this sort of thing all the time now. They are often confused by the regulations for rentals, which stipulate the need for Gas Safe certificates etc. A private owner-occupier can do what they like.

I agree with telling them the date of last service, assuming you have one, and adding that this could be an item their surveyor checks. He won't, as it's a specialist area, but so is fending off stuff like this!

It doesn't necessarily mean that the buyer is looking to beat you down, or that their solicitor is doing anything more than trying to look useful. I haven't looked at form TA6 for some time, but it could easily be a standard question nowadays.

G_M

Just tell the buyer you are happy to facilitate access for his contractor to inspect the tank (boiler, electrics, roof etc etc) at any mutually convenient time.

POPPYOSCAR

Had oil tank for 20 years never been serviced.


What a strange concept!

G_M

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

Had oil tank for 20 years never been serviced.


What a strange concept!

My oftec boiler engineer always takes a quick look at the tank, and replaces the filter every 5 years or so.

Davesnave

G_M wrote: »

My oftec boiler engineer always takes a quick look at the tank, and replaces the filter every 5 years or so.

If people have to make a warranty claim, as many owners of a certain brand did a few years ago, They'll find that the 10 year guarantee is given under condition that the tank is inspected annually, typically during the boiler service.

Now we all know that this mostly involves a visual inspection, and a kick too if you're lucky, but I'd guess the real reason is to make sure any problems, especially with the supports, are picked-up.

Last month, I constructed a new plinth for my oil tank under guidance from a building inspector. It is extremely robust and, at a push, might even double as a nuclear bunker for two people who get on well.

G_M

Davesnave wrote: »

Last month, I constructed a new plinth for my oil tank under guidance from a building inspector. It is extremely robust and, at a push, might even double as a nuclear bunker for two people who get on well.

You mean it's hollow?

:eek:

Davesnave

G_M wrote: »

You mean it's hollow?

:eek:

The building inspector's specification was for reinforced concrete lintels at 150mm intervals between piers, topped with 50mm paving slabs.

This is somewhat less than Oftec's suggested configuration of using concrete lintels on their sides (?) to make a continuous deck. However, both specs are 'hollow.'

Why? Is there a problem? See 6.7

t19 domestic oil tank bases construction and design