Working With Real Estate Sales and Inspections

Decommission — Oil And Gas Industry in Portland, OR
Universal Applicators works with numerous real estate agents, to facilitate the timely decommissioning, removal and, if necessary, cleanup of underground and above-ground storage tanks to facilitate completion of their real estate transactions.

If you are buying or constructing a home with oil heat should sign up as soon as possible so coverage is available if contaminated soil from a leaking tank is encountered in the future. Home inspectors may run into situations where they suspect the existence of a tank and do not have the equipment to verify.

We do encounter situations where a tank was removed or decommissioned in place, yet contaminated soil was left in place. There are also situations where some type of work was performed yet no documentation is available (particularly before 2001)

We can look up state records to determine if a tank was decommissioned and whether contaminated soils were reported. We can also perform a physical investigation on the property to determine if the tank was properly decommissioned, and if contaminated soil was removed or left in place.

In summary, UAI can help to determine…Is there a tank on this property? If the tank is out of service, has it been properly drained or decommissioned? If not, what needs to be done before purchasing? How can I be sure that this tank will not be a future problem?

Free Insurance To Cover Cleanup Costs is Available in Washington State is Available!  

Real estate professionals doing business in Washington state should be aware of the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA). PLIA offers free insurance to cover costs to clean up contamination from leaking tanks. Home buyers who are purchasing a house with oil heat should sign up as soon as possible so their coverage is available if contaminated soil from a leaking tank is encountered in the future.
UAI routinely performs:
  • Tank locating
  • Certification of previous decommissioning (where there is no report to the state or record that work has been completed)
  • Tank decommissioning in place (pea gravel, other inert material or cement slurry)
  • Tank decommissioning by removal (more likely when the site is contaminated)
  • Contaminated soil investigations and cleanups

Free Seminars for Real Estate Professionals  

UAI will visit your office and deliver a presentation to your team. We will discuss issues that can arise related to heating oil tanks, how they can affect your sale transaction, pitfalls and how to avoid them, and to be proactive so issues are resolved in a timely manner.

Turn To Us To Get It Done Right

  • Underground & Above Ground Heating Oil Tanks
    • Decommissioning in place – fill with slurry, pea gravel, or other inert material
    • Complete tank removal, including fuel lines, fill and vent pipes, patching walls
    • Pump/remove oil, water, and sludge from tanks
    • Soil sampling and analysis
    • Site restoration
  • Contaminated Soil Cleanup & Reporting
    • Soil Matrix Cleanup 

    o DEQ required additional reporting for moderately contaminated site

    • Generic Cleanup 

    o Contaminated soil removal and DEQ reporting for highly contaminated site

    • Risk Based Corrective Action

    o When contaminated soil extends beneath a house or other permanent structures, analysis for risk to structures is developed.

  • Commercial and Heating Oil Tank Service

    • Includes gas stations, marine fueling stations, boat tanks, industrial storage tanks, and more.

    • Tank installation, inspection, maintenance, and upgrading

    • Cathodic protection – installation, inspection, maintenance, upgrading

    • Coatings – tank interiors, marine coatings, waterproofing, sport courts, and floor surfaces

  • Tank Cleaning
    • Cleaning for future continued use includes pumping out useable oil, then rinsing with fresh oil
    • Cleaning for removal and disposal includes pumping out oil, water, and sludge, hand removal of solids, and triple-rinsing the tank interior.
  • Fuel Line Set Clearing
    • Useful when no fuel is reaching your furnace, high pressure air is forced through fuel lines to clear any plugged materials.
  • Line Set Replacement
    • Upgrade older, corroded, black iron pipes from the tank to the furnace with modern copper lines
  • Home Heating Oil Tank Installation
    • We work with you to determine the best tank, line system, and cathodic protection for your needs.
    • We install tanks above ground, below ground, garages, basements, indoors, and outdoors.
    • Complete installation of tank, fill and vent pipes, fuel lines, and connectors to furnaces as needed.
  • Temporary Heating Oil Tanks

    • If you need a tank decommissioning right away, either while switching to natural gas or continuing to use oil heat, we can install a temporary tank or tote and connect it to your existing service lines.

  • Specialty Services
    • Indoor and outdoor Sport Court surface coatings
    • Surface waterproofing
    • Protective floor coatings
  • Informational Sessions

    • Universal Applicators, Inc., can visit your office and give a free presentation on heating oil tank investigations, removal, and installations – including regulations, permits, and reporting.

Our teams are attentive and stand ready to help you get the work you need done, even on short notice. Call Universal Applicators today at 800-200-1377 and let us help you meet your closing date!