Underground Oil Tank Removal is the safe locating, excavation and removal of buried residential heating-oil tanks across Canada. Many older homes still have a steel oil tank sitting in the ground from when the property ran on oil heat. Left in place, these tanks corrode, leak and become a liability the moment you sell, refinance or convert to gas or electric. We work with homeowners, real estate agents and property managers to get the old tank out of the ground, the site cleaned up and the paperwork in order.
Our process is straightforward. We locate the buried tank, confirm its size and condition, then carefully excavate, drain any remaining oil and remove the tank for proper disposal. If the surrounding soil shows signs of contamination, we handle the assessment and remediation in line with provincial and municipal requirements, and we close out the job with the decommissioning records you need. Every job starts with a free, no-obligation quote so you know exactly what's involved before any work begins.
Not sure if there's still a tank in the ground? We confirm it first. Using copper fill and vent lines, old records and ground-scanning equipment, we locate buried oil tanks and assess their size, depth and condition before any digging starts. This tells you exactly what you're dealing with and prevents nasty surprises mid-excavation.
Once the tank is located, we excavate around it, drain and remove any residual heating oil, then lift the tank out of the ground and haul it away for proper disposal. The work is done carefully to protect your landscaping, driveway and foundations, and the excavation is backfilled and graded once the tank is gone. Safe handling of the oil and the tank is the core of every removal we do.
Old tanks often leak, and leaked heating oil contaminates the surrounding soil. After removal we check for staining and odour, take soil samples where needed and arrange testing. If contamination is found, we manage the remediation — removing and disposing of affected soil and bringing the site back in line with provincial environmental standards so you're not left with a hidden problem.
Whether you're removing the tank or decommissioning one that can't be dug out, the job isn't finished until it's documented. We handle the permits, notifications and removal or decommissioning records that municipalities, insurers and lenders ask for. You walk away with proof the tank was dealt with properly — exactly what a buyer's lawyer or your insurance provider will want to see.
A buried oil tank is not something to leave to chance or tackle yourself. Steel tanks rust from the inside out, and a leak underground can spread heating oil into soil and groundwater long before anyone notices. The cost of cleaning up a contaminated site dwarfs the cost of removing the tank in the first place, and homeowners can be held responsible for the contamination on their property. Disturbing a tank without draining it properly, or skipping the required permits, only makes the problem worse.
Professional underground oil tank removal protects your property, your finances and your peace of mind. Done right, the tank comes out cleanly, the soil is checked and made good, and you get the documentation that proves it. That paperwork matters: buyers, mortgage lenders and home insurers increasingly refuse to proceed while an unknown or unremoved tank sits in the ground. Handling it properly now removes a liability instead of passing it on.
When it comes to underground oil tank removal, experience and proper process are everything. Here's why Canadian homeowners trust us with the job.
Our specialists have located, excavated and removed buried oil tanks across Canada, and know how to handle each job safely and cleanly.
Licensed and insured contractors carry out the work, soil is checked where needed, and every removal is backed by the proper decommissioning records.
We turn up when we say we will and keep your removal moving, which matters when a tank is holding up a sale or refinance.
We connect homeowners with underground oil tank removal specialists who work to the requirements of their own province and municipality.
Tell us what you know about your tank and we'll provide a clear, no-obligation quote so there are no surprises before work begins.
From the first call to the final paperwork, we keep things clear and straightforward so you always know where your removal stands.
Common signs are a capped copper fill and vent pipe sticking out of the ground near the house, an old oil furnace or fuel records, or a home built when oil heat was standard. If you're unsure, we can locate and confirm a buried tank before any digging starts.
A straightforward removal where the tank is easy to reach and the soil is clean is often completed in a single day. Jobs involving difficult access, larger tanks or soil testing and remediation can take longer. We give you a realistic timeline with your quote once we've assessed the site.
If we find staining, odour or signs of a leak, we arrange soil testing. Where contamination is confirmed, we manage the remediation — removing and disposing of affected soil and restoring the site to provincial environmental standards. We'll explain the scope and cost before any remediation work goes ahead.
Most municipalities require permits and notifications for removing or decommissioning an underground oil tank, and rules vary by province and city. We handle the required permits and paperwork as part of the job, so you finish with proper documentation for your records, lender or insurer.
Buyers, their lawyers, mortgage lenders and home insurers increasingly want assurance that any buried oil tank has been properly removed or decommissioned. An unknown or untouched tank can delay or sink a sale. Dealing with it ahead of time, with documentation to prove it, removes that obstacle from the transaction.
“We found out there was an old oil tank buried in the back garden when we went to sell. They located it, dug it out and sorted all the paperwork so the sale could go through. Straightforward to deal with from start to finish.”
“I wasn't sure if our old furnace had left a tank in the ground or not. They came out, confirmed it and removed it without tearing up the whole yard. They explained each step and left the site tidy afterwards.”
“Our insurer flagged the buried oil tank and wanted it dealt with. The team handled the removal and the soil check and gave us the records the insurance company asked for. Clear pricing and no hassle.”
We provide underground oil tank removal for homeowners right across Canada. That includes Ontario communities such as Toronto, Mississauga, Ottawa, Hamilton and London, the Greater Vancouver area in British Columbia, the Halifax region and across the Maritimes where buried oil tanks are especially common, plus Calgary, Edmonton and surrounding areas. Wherever you are, we'll connect you with a specialist who works to your province's and municipality's requirements. Not sure if we cover your area? Get in touch and we'll let you know.
