11/08/2025
Oil tank was leaking bad I went and replaced it myself because I couldn’t afford pro install. What do I do now?
Last month I noticed my oil tank was starting to leak from the bottom of the tank. It was a pretty decent leak as it was filling a one gallon jug within 24 hrs. I called around to get a handful of quotes of what it would cost to get it removed and replaced with a new tank. The lowest quote I got was $3800 and highest was $4600. Only the highest quote included to pump down my 240 gallons of oil that I just got auto refilled at the end of the season and then filter it and re-pump it back into the new tank. The other quotes I had to find a company that would remove the oil and the one company I found that would do it said I would be recycling the oil and basically forfeiting $800 of new oil. The quotes above included a new Granby 275 gallon oil tank.
As with most leaks this was completely unexpected - I just got laid off and within the last couple month I just put in two new mini split systems , washer and dryer had to be replaced as well as having the A/c compressor and components replaced on my vehicle. Money has been tight and I could not afford the quotes that I was getting to replace the tank.
I jumped the gun a bit since I was freaking out about the oil leak getting any worse and not being able to pay to have it replaced by a professional. I ended up taking a ride to my local Supply house and purchased a new Granby tank for $700 , some new Malleble iron fittings , fill alarm , oil filter, other random fittings and a new fill gauge. Also rented a pipe threader. I pumped down and filtered the oil from the bad tank into 6 heavy duty barrels temporarily , cleaned out the sludge and cut up the bad tank into pieces and removed it.
I then installed the new tank , pitched it properly and redid all the fittings basically just building it back the same way it was before. I then refilled the new tank , pumping the first barrel through the fill cap on the outside of the house to make sure everything worked good , pipe was pitched correctly and tested the fill alarm.
Here’s the issue I’ve now found out about - I’ve been told by a buddy that you need to have a license to replace an oil tank where I’m from. I obviously don’t have one and should have known better or looked into it more before I did this but i was in a bad spot and didn’t know what else to do and figured I do a lot fixes whenever I can but I didn’t know this was something that a homeowner can’t install and get inspected themselves after it’s put in - I couldn’t risk just leaving the tank as is and having a huge oil leak happen in my basement while I saved up enough money. When I removed the old tank I checked it out and it was in rough shape with two spots leaking and all the way down to bare metal on the bottom of the tank..
That brings me to the present moment - the tank is installed but I don’t know how to go forward. I obviously want to do things the right way and clearly panicked. If I call someone will I open a big can of worms? What about when and if I want to sell my home one day? I’m not sure what to do - is there anyway I can get this properly permitted still? I get I totally messed up and did things the wrong way but i wasn’t sure what else to do and figured a non leaking new tank installed by me for now is better then a huge disaster. I barely could swing the $1000 it cost me to do the job nevermind $4-5000. Do I call a professional and ask them to at-least look over the install for peace of mind? What would you do on my situation..
