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The Problem

State and Federal regulations require that leaking tanks be removed and contamination be addressed. Contamination will migrate onto neighbors’ properties and not degrade without conducting active cleanup.
Sellers: Your liability for the tank and contamination does not end simply by selling the house. You remain responsible until all State and Federal requirements are met.

Buyers: You become additionally responsible for the tank and contamination when you buy the house unless you take protective action.

WARNING: There are some sloppy yay-hoos and inexperienced companies out there who can make your tank problem a bigger mess. They’re cheap because they damage more of your yard, cut corners, and don’t follow the government requirements. Removing a tank without complete professional oversight and documentation will not end or limit your liability for the tank and contamination.
Print Out Tank Facts

The Solution

Practical Environmental Solutions can help you end your tank and contamination liability by fulfilling all government requirements, thoroughly and efficiently. Since 2001, PES has removed hundreds of oil tank mostly in southeastern North Carolina, removing additional tanks every month. We are experienced, professionally licensed, insured, and offer turnkey solutions to your tank situation. We provide high quality project work, excellent communication, and superior customer service. See our Google reviews.

What Our Clients Think

  • My wife and I were super impressed with your company’s service and the tank removal finished product. Thank you for job well done. I really appreciate all of your help.

    Wilmington Client

  • I was very pleased with everything and will recommend PES to others. Excellent work. Thank you.

    Fayetteville Client

  • Thanks for taking good care of my tank removal on such short notice. I appreciate your kind and professional services!

    Raleigh Client

  • I was very pleased with PES’s work. Kirk McDonald was very helpful and easy to deal with. The yard looks great. Thanks Kirk and crew.

    Wilmington Client

  • Fully satisfied with all the work done. Thanks for all your assistance in making this project go smoothly.

    New Bern Client

  • Services were very professional and courteous. I was very impressed with your responsiveness to our questions and your patience in explaining the tank closure process to us.

    Kinston Client

  • Thank you so much for all your help and advice. Very professional job. I will certainly remember your kindness and patience and will recommend you to everyone.

    Jacksonville Client

  • It was a pleasure to work with you and your group. Very organized. Your hard work and good judgement regarding the contamination gave us good end result.

    Wilmington Client

  • Very courteous, attentive, prompt, and informative. I was completely satisfied with the services provided and would happily recommend PES. Thanks for doing a great job!

    Goldsboro Client

Everyone Benefits From
Removing Tank Contamination

Home Buyers

Thousands of oil tanks are still leaking at residential properties.

  • Do you want to buy a contaminated property?
  • Are you willing to assume someone else’s contamination liability?
  • How easily can you sell contaminated property when it’s your turn to sell?

Buyers are best protected from liability when:

  • the tank is removed properly with documentation
  • discovered contamination is reported and cleaned up as much as possible

A buyer who buys a tank property may become fully responsible for the tank and contamination (even if they never used the tank).

Even if the tank was removed but contamination not cleaned up, the “Oil Spill Act” may require you to cleanup contamination.

Have the seller hire PES to ensure that all State requirements are met and that no potential problems are ignored or overlooked.

Remember: “Clean” tank closures deserve a second opinion to confirm this rare occurrence. Ask us how.

Request a tank evaluation before you buy to determine if the tank has leaked or not.

Home Sellers (Owners)

Remember, your responsibility / liability for the tank and contamination does not end simply by selling the property.

Sellers could be forced to clean up oil tank contamination years after they sold the property, even if they removed the tank but overlooked or ignored contamination. If the corroding tank hasn’t leaked already, it will leak eventually. Until the tank is removed, it will continue to corrode over time.

Petroleum contamination does not degrade significantly under the tank. Over time, it will continue to migrate toward neighbors’ properties, irrigation well(s), underground utilities, and drainage ways.

Documenting a properly closed oil tank and cleaning up the contamination will:

  • Will end your liability for any future required cleanup
  • Will give you a "No Further Action" letter from the State
  • Will help to protect your property value
  • Will give your property broader appeal to more potential buyers

Request a tank evaluation to determine the status of your tank.

Realtors

Oil tanks can be real estate deal breakers, but they don’t have to be!

PES can respond quickly to keep your “property closing” on schedule! Practical Environmental Solutions offers complete turnkey services so that clients can relax knowing that their chosen tank solution is being implemented by an experienced professional.

Remember a leaking oil tank can be the single most expensive “repair” item when negotiating the sale of a home.

Request a tank evaluation to determine the status of your tank.

Home Inspectors

Almost every house built from 1940 to 1970 had a buried oil tank.

Houses older than 1940, may have been converted to an oil tank system later. A leaking oil tank can be the single most expensive “repair” item when negotiating the sale of a home. Warn your client that oil tanks are still buried at thousands of properties!
Petroleum contamination does not degrade significantly under the tank. Over time, it will continue to migrate toward neighbors’ properties, irrigation well(s), underground utilities, and drainage ways.

when inspecting a home, pay particular attention for the following items:

  • If the house is built before 1975
  • A fill pipe in the yard or a vent pipe next to the foundation
  • Signs of an old oil furnace under the house
  • One or two 3/8 inch copper tubing lines in the crawl space or basement
  • A furnace chimney (1 ft x 1 ft) possibly cut off during re-roofing

Recommend a tank evaluation to verify a tank and determine if it has leaked or not.

Tank Actions Not Recommended:

Do not fill the tank with sand or foam

This is a complete waste of time and money. The tank will continue leaking until the sludge is scraped out of the tank. Sand filling also does not prevent the tank from collapsing as it continues to corrode. State permission is required to close a tank in-place.

Do not remove the tank without a soil sample and documentation

Simply taking the tank out of the ground does not end a Seller’s or a Buyer’s contamination cleanup responsibility. Without professionally sealed documentation, future buyers and the State may not be convinced that the oil tank was properly closed.