Signs of a Leaking Oil Tank
Short answer: PA DEP's warning signs include oil-saturated or stained soil around the fill pipe, oil vapors in the soil or basement, fuel seeping into a basement, a sudden jump in fuel use, a furnace running erratically, contaminated drinking water, and neighbors smelling fuel oil1. If you see them, DEP says the tank or property owner is responsible for notifying the appropriate DEP regional office1.
DEP's self-check for buried tanks
If the answer to any of these is yes, DEP advises calling an oil burner technician1:
- Are you using more oil than normal?
- Is the tank vent clogged by ice, snow or insect nests?
- Is the tank taking on water (a rise of more than 1/2" over 8–12 hours)?
- Is the overfill whistle silent during delivery?
Extra checks for basement and above-ground tanks
Rust, weeps, wet spots or heavy dents on the tank; unstable legs; drips at the filter or valves; signs of spills at the fill or vent pipe; a cracked or stuck gauge1.
If it is leaking
- Notify DEP; DEP lists 800-42-TANKS (in PA only) for its storage tank division1.
- Contain it and have product pumped out; DEP suggests absorbent material like cat litter1.
- Check your insurance before hiring; some insurers want to approve the contractor1.
- Keep detailed records1. Buried tanks of 3,000 gallons or less may qualify for DEP reimbursement of up to $4,000 after a $1,000 deductible2,3.
See leaking oil tank help and PA cleanup reimbursement.
Related
- Does an old oil tank have to be removed?
- Oil tank removal cost by size
- Oil tank sweep cost
- Lehigh Valley oil tank guide
- Towns we serve
More homeowner questions
- Buried oil tank and homeowners insurance in PA
- Oil tank removal before closing
- Oil tank removal vs abandonment in place
- Who pays for oil tank removal: buyer or seller?
Quick answers
- How long does oil tank removal take?
- Can you remove an oil tank yourself?
- How to tell if you have an underground oil tank
Lehigh Valley towns with the most oil-heated homes
Municipalities we cover where at least 30% of occupied homes are heated mainly by fuel oil or kerosene, estimated by the Census4:
| Town | Fuel-oil share | Homes (± margin of error) |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Mount Bethel Township | 55.9% | 1,475 ± 243 |
| Lower Mount Bethel Township | 53.5% | 634 ± 117 |
| Washington Township (Northampton) | 53.2% | 1,030 ± 207 |
| Portland borough | 53.2% | 125 ± 48 |
| Roseto borough | 52.1% | 295 ± 68 |
| Stockertown borough | 50.7% | 149 ± 46 |
| Lehigh Township | 47.0% | 2,021 ± 304 |
| Tatamy borough | 44.0% | 199 ± 51 |
| Walnutport borough | 43.6% | 354 ± 77 |
| Lower Milford Township | 42.4% | 616 ± 132 |
| Plainfield Township | 41.6% | 1,045 ± 282 |
| Coopersburg | 40.3% | 442 ± 96 |
| Wind Gap | 39.9% | 603 ± 142 |
| Bushkill Township | 39.5% | 1,255 ± 210 |
| Pen Argyl | 39.2% | 545 ± 184 |
| Heidelberg Township | 38.8% | 503 ± 118 |
| Washington Township (Lehigh) | 37.5% | 1,020 ± 207 |
| North Whitehall Township | 33.6% | 2,017 ± 298 |
| East Bangor borough | 32.7% | 144 ± 49 |
| Lynn Township | 32.3% | 551 ± 135 |
| Moore Township | 32.2% | 1,113 ± 208 |
| Bangor | 31.7% | 630 ± 197 |
| Williams Township | 31.2% | 818 ± 215 |
| Nazareth | 30.3% | 908 ± 208 |
For comparison: Allentown 14.1%, Easton 8.6%4. These are 5-year survey estimates; small towns have wide margins of error.
FAQ
Is a leaking oil tank dangerous?
DEP says leaking heating oil tanks can contaminate drinking water, pollute soil and create the potential for fires and explosions1.
Does PA DEP require me to remove my home heating oil tank?
No. Pennsylvania's storage tank law doesn't regulate most home heating oil tanks used on the premises: tanks storing heating oil for use where it is stored are excluded, and DEP lists home heating oil tanks as not regulated5,6. Local rules, lenders and buyers may still require action, such as a permit, testing or removal before a sale. Owners usually act because of a sale, a lender, an insurer, or leak risk.
Get a free quote
Tell us where the tank is (basement, side yard, buried, or unknown) and whether you're buying, selling, or refinancing. Allentown Tanks will connect you with a qualified local tank contractor. (215) 434-1322 · Request a quote
Sources
- PA DEP, Tips for Residential Heating Oil Tank Owners
- PA DEP, Apply for Oil Tank Cleanup Reimbursement
- PA DEP Storage Tanks Financial Assistance (Underground Heating Oil Tank Cleanup Reimbursement Program)
- Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year Table B25040 House Heating Fuel, county subdivision geography (table-based summary file)
- Act 32 §103 (UST definition excludes heating oil for consumptive use)
- PA DEP Storage Tank Data ("Home heating oil tanks are not regulated")
- 25 Pa. Code §245.1 definitions
- PA DEP Installer/Inspector Certification (certified company list)
- 68 Pa.C.S. §7303 seller disclosure
- Fannie Mae Selling Guide B4-1.4-08 Environmental Hazards Appraisal Requirements
- Kash Mortgage Group, PA buyer guide
- Flagstone, Philadelphia oil tank guide
- Curren Environmental, PA oil tank removal cost
- USTIF Heating Oil Tank Program (voluntary, tanks of 3,000 gallons or more)
- Harned Durham Energy, heating oil tank removal cost
Sources accessed 2026-10-25 by TANKER Traffic.