Home Heating Oil Tanks in the Pacific Northwest and What You Need to Know
If you own a home in Seattle, Tacoma, or anywhere in the greater Puget Sound region, it’s worth investigating whether your property might have an old home heating oil tank buried underground. Commonly used before the rise of natural gas and electric heating, these tanks are often forgotten over time—until they become a problem. Here's what you need to know and how to deal with them responsibly. How to Tell If Your Property Has a Heating Oil Tank Homes built before the 1970s, especially those that haven't undergone major heating system upgrades, are more likely to have had oil heat at some point. While many tanks have been removed or decommissioned, some remain buried and unregistered and generally have a 50 year life span. Here are some ways to investigate: Look for clues inside and outside your home. Indoors, you might find old copper fuel lines in the basement or garage. Outdoors, a vent pipe sticking out of the ground or next to the foundation could be a sign. Check p...