Quickly following on the heel of Storm Isha is Storm Jocelyn, the second named storm in the space of 36 hours, which is forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the UK this week along with significant travel disruption and the potential for further power cuts for many households and businesses. And for heating oil users, it’s important not to overlook the safety of your heating oil storage tank, not just throughout the year, but particularly to prepare for when the storm strikes. High winds and flooding put extra pressure on household heating oil tanks, pipes, and central heating systems and can have nasty consequences that can potentially lead to oil spills, which in a flooded area will disperse further afield and can lead to high levels of pollution.
Whilst heating oil tanks are strong, they are not immune to the impact of bad weather. We always advise that you take preventative measures and secure your home heating oil tank before the weather changes rather than go outside and try to repair any damage while the storm is in progress. So, in this blog, we’re going to take a look at the extra measures you can add to your usual routine to safeguard your stored fuel and your tank during the storm ahead. And of course, we're still in the midst of a cold spell, so it's important to stay extra prepared.
Check your tank’s position
Your heating oil tank should be positioned securely, correctly and centrally on its base, which should be level and even. This will help prevent it from being dislodged or tipped over, particularly so in windy conditions. For more information, check out our recent blog sharing domestic oil tank installation rules and regulations.
If your tank isn’t properly anchored and secure, consider fitting a firmly anchored tank restraint to secure it and prevent significant movement of your tank. A full tank weighs a lot and will be much heavier than a relatively empty tank whereas if your fuel level is low, your tank will be lighter and more susceptible to the elements. If you’re worried about running out of domestic heating oil, or you just need a top up, you can go online to place an order or call us on 01423 770 666.
Protect against water ingress
Prevent water from getting into your tank – ensure the fill pipe and vent are properly capped or covered to prevent water from getting into the tank. Also, ensure that your tank lid is locked to prevent the wind from blowing open the cover and letting in unwanted water.
If, after the storm, you suspect you may have got water in your tank, the important thing is to get rid of it as soon as you can before it can cause any damage to your central heating oil boiler and system. Leaving the water in your tank will, over time, cause corrosion which can cause leaks. In addition water in your heating oil can cause bacteria to grow and aid the formation of sludge at the bottom of your tank which can cause problems if it gets in the fuel lines.
An OFTEC registered oil heating engineer will be able to remove the water from your tank and advise on how to prevent it from happening again in the future.
Cut back trees, remove debris
Heavy rain and wind can bring down overhanging branches and blow larger items into the side of your tank. As a preventive measure, cut back overhanging branches, trees or even foliage that could potentially fall or be blown onto your heating oil tank in strong winds to reduce the risk of incidents and damage to the tank itself. Look out for fencing that could potentially be likely to break in bad weather, and remove any nearby debris that could cause damage to your tank in high winds. Store garden furniture away – if it blows in the path of your tank it could well cause dents or other damage which may lead to potential leaks.
Locate your emergency shut-off valve
Get to know your system. Knowing where the emergency shut-off valve is and how to use it is crucial for safety reasons and extremely useful in the case of a leak or other emergencies such as high water or floods. The valve is designed to quickly stop the flow of oil in the event of an emergency, minimising the potential for environmental damage. Usually found at the bottom outlet of your fuel tank, it will either have a wheel-type handle or a lever handle.
In the unfortunate event of a leak, it’s important you need to know what to do, and help is on hand in our informative blog about heating oil leaks.
After the storm
Of course, it’s good housekeeping to get into the habit of routinely inspecting your tank, the base, and the area around the tank regularly throughout the year, as well as having an annual boiler service.
A monthly check of your domestic heating oil tank is recommended – this will help you to identify potential costly issues before they become serious problems and take the necessary remedial action. And it’s most definitely good practice to inspect your tank after windy weather or storms for potential debris and damage, just as you would after a large snowfall.
Check your tank lid to make sure it’s still securely closed and check your tank for whitening or patches of discolouration, for cracks or splits, and for any signs of a leak such as areas of dampness around the pipework or valves or a strong smell of oil. If you notice vegetation has died back around the tank, or discolouration on the ground around your tank, this could also be a sign of a fuel leak.
Over time even a well-laid base can shift and settle, so check the base of your tank and the ground that surrounds it. If your tank doesn’t appear to be level or you can see any cracks in the concrete base or gaps between the base and the bottom of the tank, contact an OFTEC registered oil heating engineer for advice and a professional inspection.
We hope you’ve found these tips helpful. Prepare ahead and stay safe during these inclement weather conditions. Batten down the hatches, stay indoors as much as possible, take care if you do need to go out, don’t drive unless really necessary, and try and avoid exposed routes such as bridges or high open roads if you can’t delay your journey.