What You Should Know: Dangers of Oil Leaks & How to Prevent Them

Being a family company, we at Broco Energy pride ourselves on making safety our primary concern, for ourselves, and you and your family. What’s the key to playing it safe? Having all the facts! The Co-Operators, a Canadian insurance company, has a great, concise article on heating with oil. “If you heat your home with oil, you should be aware of the environmental damage and health hazards that oil leaks can cause. In fact, just one litre of oil can contaminate one million litres of drinking water.”

Due to the brutal and unpredictable winters we are capable of here in New England, it’s good to remember that, “The valve and fuel lines must be protected from physical damage caused by objects such as ice and snow. Oil tanks should not be installed under a deck or stairs; along with not being easily accessible for inspection, they may be subject to moisture from the structure above.”

Of course, everyone needs to check requirements in their own state, but this article has some great baseline preventative measures to take against oil leaks! Such as:

• The tank must be easily accessible for inspection, but also protected from the damage of everyday activities.
• Install a concrete barrier to prevent damage caused by vehicle impact if the tank is located near a driveway or where vehicles can come in contact with it.

Most importantly, “If you are unsure if your tank or installation is safe, contact a qualified heating technician to inspect your system.” Broco is your company for quality product, maintenance, and inspection. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions and concerns!

Check back often for monthly articles and videos to help you learn your system well, learn the dangers of a poorly maintained system and prevention of them, and to watch Broco in the community.