How Can I Protect My Oil Tank During the Summer?

While the British Isles experience a wave of hot weather in the coming months, with temperatures pushing the 30°C mark at the peak of summer, now is a good time to think about how you can protect your oil tank from the elements. 

Just as there are measures to be taken during winter to ensure an efficient-running tank, we need to be just as cautious when the weather is more favourable. Let’s take a look at the some of steps you can take to safeguard your oil tank.

Humidity and condensation issues

While your heating systems might be pushed to back of your minds during the warmer months, we would strongly advise against ignoring your oil tank completely. If your tank is left unprotected in humid and hot weather for a prolonged period, the elemental effects can be hugely damaging to both your tank and its components. And once the initial problems surface, it can lead to further complications down the line. 

Condensation build-up within your storage tank is created by warm moisture in the air—similar to what you’d find in the windows of your conservatory, or any other areas where the humidity is high. The issue with this type of condensation, however, is that it can cause corrosion in your tank, and eventually, leaks. If you find your steel tank is experiencing these kinds of defects, it’s time to call in the experts to either repair or replace your tank.

Don’t leave your oil tank empty!

While your oil tank will see considerably less action during the summer, it’s never a good idea to leave it empty, with just a splash of old oil sloshing around in the bottom. 

Likewise, if you get your tank filled after the summer, any weak joints on your steel tank’s welded elements will have taken a hammering over the warmer months, and will pop open violently when your oil delivery arrives. Pumping oil into your empty tank, with up to 2.5 tons of weight, can prize these compromised joints apart, leaving the oil nowhere to go but all over the ground or your concrete tank base.

The smart advice is to take advantage of lower off-season rates for fuel and fill up your tank. As well as being cost-effective, this will help mitigate the risk of leaks and cosmetic and structural damage to your tank. A total fill up will prevent this kind of damage and extend the life of the system.

Tank maintenance and servicing

It makes good sense to service your tank in the summer. Not only are you using it less, if you implement sensible maintenance measures to keep your tank in good working order, there will be less to fix in the long term.

As well as physical benefits of a service for your tank, it will also give you professional upkeep recommendations and a working order sign-off, preparing you for the colder months ahead. Benefit from peace of mind with professional servicing well in advance, and as regularly as necessary, to prevent costly emergency call-outs.

How can CT Tanks help?

If you are looking to install a new steel oil tank or replace an old one, or if you'd like some expert advice on keeping your tank protected during the summer, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. We’re always here to help.