Affordable Oil Tank Removal

Jun 2023

If you have an oil tank that has been buried underground for over 20-40 years, it is likely that the tank has rusted and leaked into the soil. In Virginia there is a fund to pay for contamination clean up if the leak is significant. The fund is administered by the DEQ (Dept of Environmental Quality). To save yourself money, make sure the DEQ gets involved at the BEGINNING of the oil tank removal process. If we had done that, all of our costs to remove the tank and clean up the surrounding soil would have been covered by the Virginia Fund, per my discussion with Frank Willard from the DEQ. Unfortunately, we contracted with Affordable Oil Tank Removal first, and they did what is called an "abandonment in place" . During this procedure, soil samples were taken and the DEQ was notified about the project. Our lab samples came back weeks later, showing that the surrounding soil was contaminated. The DEQ cane out, examined our yard, took a look inside at our basement wall where oil had stained the concrete blocks and told us that contamination cleanup was needed and the DEQ Fund will cover the costs. We then had to contract with another company to dig out the tank again, this time taking the whole tank and the surrounding dirt, and filling the hole up with new dirt and rocks. I asked Frank Willard whether the clean up fund would cover our payments to Affordable Oil Tank Removal, which totaled approx $4,000, and he said no, that was not possible. However, if the DEQ had been notified in the beginning before any digging, there is a procedure that is done to determine if there has been leakage, before digging begins. A probe is placed down into the ground and soil readings can be taken. Also, knowing that our tank was over 40 years old and our basement wall was stained, approval would have been given in the beginning he said. if this had been done, all costs would have been covered and there would only have been one dig. We basically had the job done twice, the first time we paid Affordable Oil Tank Removal and the second time the VA State Fund paid. Conclusion- if you have an old underground oil tank that needs to be removed, get the DEQ out FIRST to look at the site and discuss the age of the tank, and the likelihood of leakage. If the tank is very old like ours was, they will recommend that soil samples be taken before any digging starts. They will be "on board" at this point, and help you pick a reputable contractor that has experience working with the DEQ. If it is probable that you have a leakage issue, they will cover the entire project. Brian Kelly, from Affordable is a wonderfully kind and friendly person, but he does not show up when he says he will. Our project dragged out for several weeks, and that is before the DEQ came out and had to do the entire project over again. I feel like Affordable Oil Tank Removal should have known more about the DEQ, and what they cover and do not cover. Also, they should have known to get the DEQ out there right away, to make an assessment, based on the age of the tank and the stain on the basement wall, that there was a high probability that leakage had occurred. If this was done, all of our costs would have been paid by the State Fund.

Mar 2023

We converted to gas recently and used Affordable Oil Tank Removal for the removal of our oil tank. Brian and Jimmy who did the job were courteous and professional. They were careful and kept our floor clean (this is critical!). Finished their job in about 4-5 hours. They did a good job overall and we are happy with it.

Jan 2022

I couldn't be happier with the oil tank removal service that I received from Affordable Oil & Tank Removal. From start to finish the project was completed in a prompt, professional manner. I called for an estimate late afternoon and Brian stopped by on his way home that evening to look at the scope of the job. Estimate was received the next day and work was performed on time the following day. All this was done at a very reasonable price -- other two estimates I received were SIGNIFICANTLY higher.