SERVICES

Information for Buyers

ADVICE: Keep in mind that any property may have additional tank(s) other than residential.

Buyers should be aware of the risk of purchasing a property with an underground storage tank and/or soil contamination.

Maryland Department of the Environment enforces strict regulations pertaining to abandoned Underground Storage Tanks and contaminated surroundings.

WHAT DO I DO? (Identify Heating Source)

First, you must identify which kind of heating source is operating on the property. It can be oil or an alternative heating sources as gas, electric, etc.

1. Property with heating oil:

Buying a home with Underground Storage Tank:

Buying a home with Aboveground Storage Tank:

Often, an aboveground tank in the basement or outside the home may indicate a past problem with a leaking underground heating oil tank. Homeowners, suspecting a problem with an underground tank, would install a basement or an aboveground tank and discontinue using the buried tank as their heating source. Today, many of these properties still have buried tanks and frequently these tanks have leaked heating oil into the ground. Therefore, it is critical that the homebuyer identify this problem during their inspection period. What Do I Do? Call Greenspring, LLC. for a visual inspection that can identify leaks and corrosion before extensive environmental damage occurs.

Visually inspect the aboveground oil tank: The aboveground tank should be visually inspected for evidence of corrosion (rust), holes, leaking pipes, loose joints and oil staining. The inspection should also examine the condition of the tank's support legs. These support legs should be structurally sound to prevent the tank from collapsing onto the floor or outside soil.

If the aboveground oil tank is outside, examine the soil underneath the tank for heating oil: The homebuyer should be concerned that the property may have had a tank that pre-dated the current one. If this prior tank leaked heating oil, a new tank may have been installed in the same location. If this is the case, it is likely that the new tank was installed without regard to the soil condition underneath the tank.

2. Property with alternative heating source:

If the source is not oil you must look for warning signs that a buried tank may exist on the property, because years ago, when homeowners converted to gas or electric from heating oil, there were no laws requiring the safe closure of buried oil tanks. Therefore, these homes may still have oil tanks located somewhere on the premises. Here are some of the warning signs that indicate the home may have an abandoned buried oil tank:

Home was built prior to 1970s.
Pipes are visible sticking up from the ground in the yard or driveway.
Evidence of extra fuel copper lines running from the basement outside the home.

IMPORTANT: Any past or newly-discovered contamination must be disclosed to any potential buyer and be reported to MDE to determine if remedial action is warranted.