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Advantages of AST’s | Above Ground Storage Tank in CT

blank1R&R Landscaping & Tank Removal offers Above Ground Storage Tank installations for Wethersfield CT, New Britain CT, Avon CT, Farmington CT, Enfield CT, Waterbury CT, Southington CT, and all of the Hartford, Middletown, and New Haven area.

Safety is the most important concern when it comes to choosing the right storage container for petroleum products such as oil and gasoline or other fuels like natural gas and propane. Leaking storage containers are the single greatest threat to underground drinking water in the United States. Since approximately half of us rely on underground drinking water, this is a serious safety concern. Above ground storage tanks (ASTs) have begun to become the norm because they pose far less of a risk than underground storage tanks (UST). This is why they are recommended by Connecticut’s Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP). The advantages of an above ground storage tank extend beyond safety.

What are the advantages of installing an above ground storage tank?

Early Detection of Leaks

The greatest advantage of an above ground storage tank is that visual inspections are possible. When an underground storage tank leaks it can go undetected for a significant amount of time because it cannot be visual inspected for signs of corrosion or damage. Homeowners and business owners with leaking underground storage tanks (LUSTs) usually only catch the leak when they observe that the ground is damp with oil or is emitting a smell at which point a significant amount of contamination has already occurred. With an above ground oil tank, you can spot the warning signs of a leak early on and address it before significant pollution occurs.

Easy Access for Inspections & Replacement

Since above ground tanks are installed in locations that are easy to access like basements and garages, they can be inspected regularly and replaced more easily. The ease of replacement is especially valuable for commercial properties since fuel demands for a business can increase as the business expands. Without the large cost of excavation, backfilling, and restoring landscaping, upgrading to a larger above storage tank is significantly less expensive. An above ground tank can also be easily transported to another location if your business or family moves.

Less Expensive Cleanup Costs

Early detection and ease of access mean less expensive cleanup costs if a leak occurs. When a storage tank leaks, the property owner is liable. According to DEEP, you are required to promptly cleanup pollution that has spread to any surface bodies of water, nearby drinking water, and all contaminated soil. You are even responsible for the cost of cleaning up any pollution that has spread to other properties. If you regularly inspect your above ground tank and take action as soon as a potential leak is noticed, the amount of environmental harm and contaminated surface area will be significantly less severe. The cement slab that most above ground tanks are mounted on also helps to prevent the quick spread of contamination and reduce the amount of remediation in the case of a leak.

Longer Lifespan

blank1An additional advantage of an above ground storage tank is that it has a longer lifespan than an underground storage tank. Eventually, all storage tanks will begin to corrode and need to be replaced but underground storage tanks are more susceptible to corrosion. The process of corrosion is sped up by moisture in the soil and other factors such as certain types of backfill and the soil’s pH acidity. Above ground storage tanks are not affected by these factors which allows them to have a longer lifespan.

AST Installation & Service in Connecticut

Even with all of these advantages, proper installation of an above ground storage is essential for the safety of you, your neighbors, and the surrounding ecosystem. Be sure to have your above ground tank installed by a licensed professional home contractor like R&R who specializes in storage tank installation. Improper installation is the second leading cause of storage tank leaks.