If your oil tank leaks it can be costly and difficult to clean up. Check your household insurance to make sure your policy covers fixing leaks, damage to your property, your neighbours' property and impact to the environment from an oil leak.
An oil leak can give off fumes which can produce symptoms like headaches, nausea and skin rashes. Oil can also penetrate underground drinking water pipes and taint the water supply, kill lawns and vegetation or even soak into brickwork and foundations.
Preventing oil leaks
Check your tank regularly for deterioration, for example corrosion, bulging or signs of interference. Oil is a valuable commodity and theft from tanks is on the increase.
Have your system regularly serviced and checked (tank, pipework and boiler) by an OFTEC registered technician.
Become familiar with how much oil you use and if you think your consumption has increased check the system for leaks. Know where your underground pipework runs so that damage to it can be prevented, for example from digging in the garden.
Wherever possible try and supervise oil deliveries, especially if the delivery driver cannot see your tank during filling.
Make sure that your tank is in a suitable location and as far away as possible from streams and sources of water supplies.
See the guide to domestic liquid fuel storage on the OFTEC website
What to do if you have an oil leak
Signs of an oil leak include:
- a strong oily smell inside or outside your house especially in any cupboards
- black stains on the tank supports or on the ground near the tank
- dead plants and grass around the tank
- a sudden increase in the quantity of oil you're using
If you suspect you have a leak:
- switch off the oil supply at your tank and consider if you need to get the tank emptied – your oil delivery company may be able to help with this
- arrange for a competent person to repair the leak as soon as possible
- stop any oil from entering drains by blocking its flow with earth, sand or commercial oil absorbent products
- call your insurance company to tell them about the leak and start the claim for the cost of repair and clean up – they’ll usually contact you to organise specialists to assess the scale of the problem and recommend remedial works
- keep any children and pets away from the affected area
- never use detergents or a hose to wash the oil away as this can make the problem worse
- if there’s a strong smell of oil in your home, open the windows and doors to keep it ventilated – you can also contact us using the details at the bottom of this page for advice
Impact on water supplies
If your water supply seems to taste or smell of oil, contact your water supplier. You can also contact us using the details at the bottom of this page.
Report a water quality problem on the United Utilities website
Report a water problem on the Northumbrian Water website
If you’re worried that the leak could affect a stream, contact the Environment Agency.