Oil and water don’t mix!

It’s common knowledge that oil and water don’t mix – and they certainly aren’t a good combination in an oil storage tank. Water can build up as a result of condensation over the years or from rainwater ingress due to lids and covers that have been left open or damaged.

Unless the tank is checked during the heating system’s annual service, water can build up and cause problems with the boiler – particularly with the fuel pump and burner.

When servicing a car, a good mechanic will check the engine and also the fuel supply pumps and filters. Likewise, a good oil service technician should not only service the engine of the heating system – i.e. the boiler – but also check the fuel supply. The filter on the fuel supply line will need changing, and the tank needs to be checked for water.

A simple check

You can easily check a tank for water using water finding paste. Using a suitable probe, simply apply the paste and dip it into the oil storage tank. If it comes into contact with water, the paste will change colour. If there is water or condensate present, Water Hogs are a simple and straightforward way to remove it.

If there are any more serious problems with the tank, you should affix an OFTEC warning sticker (available from OFTEC Direct) to the tank and notify the householder by using a CD/11. By affixing the warning sticker to the tank, you will also alert the fuel delivery driver to any potential problems before they start delivering fuel.

_{Image provided by OFTEC}