Tips On Avoiding Fuel Contamination

The wet and cold conditions in winter, or the warm days and cooler nights in spring and summer, can cause issues inside your tank. These changes increase the chance of your fuel being contaminated with water, particulates and bacteria. Each of these can cause damage to your fuel system and machinery.

Regularly Check Fuel

You should regularly check your fuel for any of the following signs :

• Cloudy fuel

• Blocked/Sludgy Filters

• Rusting on or inside of your storage tank

• Unusual behaviour with your machinery.

Have Your Tank Professionally Serviced

After a long period of time, water and sludge will eventually build up in an oil tank. Sludge is a result of water condensing on the inside of the tank upon changes in temperature. As water is heavier than oil, it collects on the tank’s bottom. Water deposits represent a good place for growing various bacteria. Heating oil sludge can be a mix of bacteria, dirt and debris and tends to build up in tanks where oil has been stored for a longer period of time.

If you ever run low on fuel, it is possible for the sludge that is situated on the bottom of the tank to be pulled through your boiler system.

We recommend having your tank professionally cleaned at least once a year by an accredited OFTEC specialist.

Having your tank serviced regularly is essential to control the condensation within your tank and to help prevent any other costly problems. Just as you would with a car or a boiler, your tank needs to be well maintained and routinely checked. Find out more about our tank health service here

Check The Condition Of Your Tank

It’s a good idea to check your tank on a monthly basis. Just like servicing a car, your tank can become unsafe between services. Our drivers will always carry out a visual inspection before a delivery which you can do too. Some things to check for:

• Cracks- Check for any small or large cracks in the Body of your tank.

• Discolouration - if the tank is turning white or fading due to sun exposure it may be time to replace your tank

• Bulges- check for any bowing where the tank is bulging.

• Smell - If you are able to smell kerosene strongly you may have a tank leak.

• Stains - If there are any stains or wet patches around your tank this would suggest a leak.

• Corrosion- Check all pipework for any rust or damage.

Spotting these issues early means your tank can be repaired or replaced before your fuel is contaminated or has leaked.

Take Action Immediately

The fuel from your tank can be uplifted and cleaned so that all the contaminants are filtered out and the remaining fuel can go back to your tank. However, in some cases, the fuel cannot be salvaged as it is too contaminated which in this case we would have to dispose of the fuel and fill the tank with fresh fuel.

Switch Your Diesel For HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil)

HVO does not react with water and is, therefore less susceptible to bacteria. This allows HVO to have a shelf life of up to 10 years as opposed to 1 year for standard diesel - as long as normal tank cleanliness procedures are used during storage. Learn more about HVO here.

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If you would like a top-up of fuel or for more information, please give our office a phone on 01360 660264 and one of our friendly staff will assist you.