Hello,
I have a 1960 split level home. In the back there is a cement patio.
About a foot and a half past the patio there is a pipe in the ground.
Recently as the weather gets cooler I have been smelling fuel oil and I do not have fuel oil. Do you think this pipe is part of a fuel oil tank from years ago?
Who can tell me this answer, who do I call?
Beyond the patio in the yard I was able to determine that at one point there was a septic tank used in the yard. I used dowsing roads to determine the outline of a tank. Who can I call to help me determine what this pipe is and if it is septic or has something to do with fuel oil. Thanks.
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Hi Dinosaurus,
Years ago we had a home that had run the gamut of heating types (from fuel oil, to electric, to natural gas).
There was indeed an old fuel oil tank--which (we found out when we were selling the place) we had to empty all the oil. Actually the oil was still clear and seemed fine (we ended up finding someone who would buy it from us!) These days (if there's oil there) it might be worth some money, LOL!
That said, it's hard to be sure exactly what the pipe is; it could also be (or have been) for an outside water faucet. Or (unlikely but still possible?) perhaps even for one of those natural gas lamps (those, as I recall, generally used flexible tubing).
Good luck on your quest; if it turns out to be an oil tank, here's to hoping that it's full of good resellable fuel oil :)
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
Years ago we had a home that had run the gamut of heating types (from fuel oil, to electric, to natural gas).
There was indeed an old fuel oil tank--which (we found out when we were selling the place) we had to empty all the oil. Actually the oil was still clear and seemed fine (we ended up finding someone who would buy it from us!) These days (if there's oil there) it might be worth some money, LOL!
That said, it's hard to be sure exactly what the pipe is; it could also be (or have been) for an outside water faucet. Or (unlikely but still possible?) perhaps even for one of those natural gas lamps (those, as I recall, generally used flexible tubing).
Good luck on your quest; if it turns out to be an oil tank, here's to hoping that it's full of good resellable fuel oil :)
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
The pipe in the back yard is not capped. So who do I call to come and tell me what this pipe is. I thought it has something to do with fuel because periodically I smell fuel oil. Does one have to dig up the tank and remove it?
Would the township be able to tell me what it is? I am the second owner of the home and it was built in 1960. So I dont know which direction to go . Thanks
Would the township be able to tell me what it is? I am the second owner of the home and it was built in 1960. So I dont know which direction to go . Thanks
Hi again Dinosaurus,
I should've mentioned that we knew ours was fuel oil--as we put a 1/4" wooden dowel down the pipe until it bottomed at the base of the tank. This also told us the fuel level.
As I recall, ours had an unscrewable cap (similar to a gas cap on a car). Yours might be diluted with water if it's been uncapped.
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
I should've mentioned that we knew ours was fuel oil--as we put a 1/4" wooden dowel down the pipe until it bottomed at the base of the tank. This also told us the fuel level.
As I recall, ours had an unscrewable cap (similar to a gas cap on a car). Yours might be diluted with water if it's been uncapped.
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
