Heating oil is an efficient way to keep your home warm during the winter. However, your fuel tank can develop maintenance problems during use. If you utilize fuel oil to heat your home, you should be aware of the warning signs. These warning signs are your fuel tank's way of letting you know it's in need of servicing. Here are three ways to keep you and your family safe around your heating fuel.
Be Aware of Odd Odors
When your heating oil tank is working properly, you shouldn't smell any gas odors in your home. However, if you start smelling the odor of burning oil, your system is in need of maintenance. Burning oil odor could be caused by a crack in the fuel oil tank or by a misalignment between the system and the fuel pipes. In either event, you'll need to have your system repaired as soon as possible.
Monitor Carbon Monoxide
In addition to the fumes you can smell, there's one that you won't be able to smell. That's carbon monoxide. Unfortunately, carbon monoxide fumes can be lethal for you and your family. If you use heating oil to warm your home, you should install a carbon monoxide monitor in the main living area of your home. This will allow you to receive an alert if the carbon monoxide fumes reach dangerous levels. One way to protect yourself from carbon monoxide is by leaving one of your windows cracked open slightly. The ventilation inside your home will allow the fumes to escape.
Look for Leaks
When your fuel tank was installed in your home, it was inspected for leaks. However, over time, exposure to the elements can leave the tank susceptible to damage. At least once a month, you should take a look at your fuel tank to look for signs of leaks or damage. If your tank is underground, you can still look for signs of leaks. Some ways to look for leaks in your underground tank include the following:
If you utilize heating oil for your home, you should be aware of the warning signs. The signs provided above will help you determine if there's something wrong with your fuel tank. For assistance with your fuel tank, be sure to contact a technician from a company like Small & Sons Oil Dist Co as soon as possible.
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