tank removal faq

If there is a leak the NJDEP will be notified and your property will be provided with a case number. We can provide complete remediation services and will promptly provide you with a proposal on the cost to remediate the property based upon the significance of the leak and the location of the leak.

While it is not recommended to perform soil testing where a known oil tank is located we can certainly provide that service for you. Soil testing can be expensive and there is no guarantee that passing results mean there is no leak. Most leaks will happen directly under the tank, and there is no way to test that soil without removing the tank. The only way to be certain your underground oil tank is not leaking is to have it removed. It is usually more cost effective to remove and replace the existing oil tank.

It does not take that long to remove an oil tank. Our crew will arrive in the morning and in most cases, we’ll be on our way by the end of the day.

Yes. The heating and hot water system will not be effected by the removal of an oil tank. An installation of a new oil tank replacement will be done prior to the existing tank being removed.

Each town has their own set amounts for the install and removal permits. You want to estimate this cost between $50 up to $200. We will charge you the exact amount that the town charges for the permit. We do not charge a handling fee.

The water and moisture in the area of the tank, and the steel the tank is made from will eventually cause all tanks to corrode and leak.  How quickly the tank’s steel turns to rust depends greatly on different variables such as the moisture content of the soil the UST is in, the amount of water if any that is in the tank, the age of the tank, and if any damage was caused to the tank during the installation.

Not too long ago, underground storage tanks (USTs) were the most commonly used heating oil storage solution.  These steel tanks do not last forever.  Eventually corrosion and rust will occur and cause the tank to fail, or leak, causing environmental concerns.  Today’s aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) are a much better heating oil storage solution whereas you can visually inspect the tank on a regular basis for signs of early corrosion and generally come with a 10-30 year warrantee depending on the AST you choose to install.

If you are a homeowner preparing your property for sale it is encouraged to remove the tank.  A home that has an underground storage tank in place is more difficult to sell as buyers are generally more reluctant to purchase a home with an UST, ether in service or abandoned, on the property.

If you are purchasing a home that has a UST in place it is encouraged to protect your new investment to have the seller remove the oil tank prior to your purchase.  The majority of USTs are not leaking, but USTs are expendables items that require replacement.  If you purchase a home with a UST and come to find after the purchase that the tank has leaked, the costly clean up will be your responsibility.

Leaks can go undetected for years and may not present themselves up and until the time an underground storage tank is removed, but if you happen to notice any of these symptoms it may indicate your UST is leaking.

  • Sudden increase of fuel usage
  • Problems with your boiler
  • Visible oil stains on the foundation of your home
  • Discoloration or odor to your home’s water supply and well.
  • Discoloration of grass and or plants in the area above and around your UST.

Marksmen Enterprises does accept credit cards.  There is a 3% credit card surcharge on Visa, Master Card, and Discover payments.  We do not accept American Express.  There is no surcharge for using your debit card.  We also accept checks, money orders, and cash.

Marksmen Enterprises takes every precaution to minimize the impact to the aesthetics of your property.  We will use steel plates, plywood, and plastic sheeting as necessary.  There may be some restoration work needed to your property after the work is complete and that can vary depending on the location of the work and the weather conditions.

Yes, Marksmen can provide a tank sweep to your property to aid in locating or confirming the non-existence of an UST.

When you tank is removed the tank itself and the tank grave will be inspected by our removal team as well as your local municipality inspector.

Yes, Marksmen will transfer the usable oil in your UST to your newly installed AST on the day of the AST installation.  It is recommended to have a minimum of 150 gallons of oil in your tank on the day of the installation.  There will always be some amount of unusable sludge left in the bottom of the thank that will have to be disposed of properly.

If there is a leak the NJDEP will be notified and your property will be provided with a case number. We can provide complete remediation services and will promptly provide you with a proposal on the cost to remediate the property based upon the significance of the leak and the location of the leak.

There are no New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) regulations that require the removal of underground residential heating oil storage tanks that are not leaking. Homeowners should contact their Town to determine if there are any local regulations or ordinances governing the removal and/or replacement of underground residential heating oil storage tanks. Homeowners should be aware that as their underground tank ages, the likelihood that it will leak increases. Tanks that are leaking need to be promptly removed.
NJDEP does not recommend that tanks be replaced with another underground tank. The main disadvantage of an underground tank is that a leak may go undetected for some time. With an above ground tank, the likelihood of detecting a release before it becomes severe is much greater.

Our reliable staff is always available to answer any questions or address any grant, funding, insurance or NJDEP concern.


Extremely professional & knowledgeable staff. They left the site just as they found it. They kept me in the loop about permits and pick up! Hands down best customer service, Debbie was great! I would recommend them to anyone!

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Angela Peacock


Removing an underground tank can be a frightening experience. The unknown of what you are going to find. I was lucky to find Marksmen Enterprises. They were friendly and very informative from the first phone call to the last. Read More

Andrew Romo


Debbie, Jeff, and Dave provided superb, outgoing service from site evaluation though permit processing. Their efforts to place a new double-walled fuel oil tank; and remove the old tank showed commitment to excellence that is a true confidence builder Read More

Mel Hughes

BBB ACCREDITATION SINCE 05/23/2006