If a house was originally oil (when built in 1938) and was converted to gas at some point...

Does that mean there was ALWAYS an underground abandoned oil tank? Are the tanks always underground? So if at any time in the past 70 something years they converted they would have had to take steps to remove that tank? Is there always a record of this? What if it was done like 30 yrs ago before current owners etc? Is there a way to find out if there is a tank under the ground?

Hope this makes sense lol - trying to understand it myself!

Message edited 7/1/2011 7:07:25 PM.

Re: If a house was originally oil (when built in 1938) and was converted to gas at some point...

Years ago they did not keep the records that they do today. Also I believe the way it is handled is not the same as today.

If your home was built in the 30s, it could have been coal, not oil. This is what my lawyer told me. Blidg records for the home may or may not have this info with homes that old.

If it was oil, the tank could have been in the basement or been underground. You would need to ask the owners this and then take it from there. They may not know if they were not the ones who converted in the 70s. But bldg records may or may not show this info.

Re: If a house was originally oil (when built in 1938) and was converted to gas at some point...

I would not worry about it

Re: If a house was originally oil (when built in 1938) and was converted to gas at some point...

You can contact the department of health to find out if the tank was abandoned properly

Re: If a house was originally oil (when built in 1938) and was converted to gas at some point...

Thanks everyone! Turns out the oil tank is under the ground but was abandoned properly. Thanks!