We’re well into fall here in Nova Scotia and with snow already falling in November, it’s time to talk about how to prep your oil tank for the impending winter. Keeping your tank in tip top shape before winter comes will help extend its life, so you’re not having to budget for a new tank too soon, and will keep your delivery driver happy when his visits to your house become more frequent.
Your first step is to get your tank inspected. Just like your furnace you want to have regular oil tank check-ups with a qualified technician to make sure everything is running smoothly. They’ll be looking for things like leaks, clogged filters, broken gauges, water built up, rust or anything else that may indicate an issue. Just ask us for assistance.
Keeping your tank clean is another important step to making sure you’re set for winter. An oil tank should be cleaned out once every three years to remove the sludge that gathers at the bottom over time and can clog the lines and filters. You want to make sure to get this done before you regularly have your heat on or else you may have to go without while any cleaning is being done.
In addition to cleaning the inside of the tank you’ll also want to make sure the outside look good too. Cleaning it off and applying a fresh coat of paint will help keep the tank from getting rusty and corroding. Also make sure the tank is level and not leaning. It should have been placed on level ground when installed but over time the ground underneath can become less stable and you may need an installer to come by and level everything out again.
Once you’ve given your tank a thorough once over with a technician you should be ready for winter. Make sure you keep you tank full through the cold months so as not to wake up to a cold house when the oil runs out. An automatic delivery plan can help make sure you’re never left out in the cold. Keeping your tank full not only makes your life easier (and warmer) but it also is healthy for the tank itself. A full tank prevents condensation build up that can cause rusting and keeps the fuel from gelling, a process that happens in colder weather that causes fuel to run to your furnace slower.
With these tips you should be all set for a cosy and warm winter with a well taken care of oil tank and no interruptions to your heating!