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Trusted by over 500,000 customers for 20+ years
Order online or call
01480 775454
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Trusted by over 500,000 customers for 20+ years
Written by
Jenna Culy
on 17 Oct 2022
and updated on
24 Apr 2026
Categorised in
Tips and Advice
There could be a number of reasons why you may need to have your oil tank removed. For example, it may be too old and require upgrading, become damaged, or no longer suit your needs due to renovations, changes in heating requirements, or a growing family.
However, a word of caution: removing and disposing of an oil tank yourself is not an option. This work must always be carried out by qualified professionals.
In general, an oil tank should be replaced every 15-25 years.
However, if your tank is leaking or showing signs of damage - such as cracks, dents, bulging, or discolouration - it should be removed and disposed of by professional oil tank specialists.
Your heating oil tank and system should be serviced each year by an OFTEC-registered engineer, who will check for issues and advise if replacement is required.
Before removal, try to use up the remaining oil. However, do not let levels drop too low, as contaminated oil and sediment from the bottom of the tank can be drawn into the system and cause damage.
The process must always be carried out by a specialist engineer. In most cases, whether your tank is metal or plastic, the materials can be recycled, so always select a company that has a recycling policy.
While the process itself is straightforward, an OFTEC-registered technician must have the appropriate license to safely dispose of any excess or contaminated oil, as well as the correct equipment, including a holding tank.
In most cases, the old tank is replaced with a new one, allowing any uncontaminated oil (not from the bottom layer) to be transferred back into the new tank.
The steps to removing and disposing of a heating oil tank are as follows:
Your engineer will measure the remaining oil and identify any contaminated oil at the bottom, which must be disposed of in line with environmental regulations.
The clean oil above the contaminated layer will be pumped into a holding tank using a commercial pump.
After the contaminated oil is removed, the tank is cleaned, de-gassed, and disconnected. It is then tested again to confirm it is gas-free, and a certificate is issued prior to removal.
The contaminated oil at the bottom of the tank will be pumped out into a waste container for disposal at a licensed site.
Once the tank is removed, the engineer issues a Waste Transfer Notice for the hazardous waste.
No - you should not attempt to remove an old oil tank yourself. The process must follow Building Regulations and be carried out by a qualified professional.
An OFTEC-registered engineer will assess the tank, identify any fire or environmental risks, and manage the full decommissioning process. This includes removing any usable oil, safely disposing of contaminated oil, disconnecting the tank, and cleaning and de-gassing it.
The tank is then tested to confirm it is gas-free, certified, and removed - either whole or cut up on site if needed, with materials recycled where possible. A Waste Transfer Notice is issued, and building control is notified to confirm compliance.
In most cases, the tank is replaced with a new one, with engineers also advising on the most suitable type and location in line with OFTEC regulations.
To make things simpler, you can sign up for Connected- our fully automated heating oil management service. With a Smart Monitor linked to the BoilerJuice App, you can easily keep track of your oil levels and usage, while Connected takes care of ordering top-ups when you need them. That means no more checking your tank, no last-minute orders, and no hassle - just a smarter, more convenient way to stay in control.
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