Anco Environmental Services
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Municipal construction permit for every removal
Oil tank sweeps and removal in South Jersey
Older New Jersey homes were often heated with oil from a buried tank. Many were abandoned in place when the house switched to gas, and nobody wrote it down. If you buy a house and its tank has leaked, the cleanup becomes your problem. That's why buyers, lenders and insurers ask about tanks before closing.
What a tank sweep is
A tank sweep is a search of the yard for a buried tank. The technician looks for old fill and vent pipes, then scans the ground with a metal detector and often ground penetrating radar. It takes about half an hour on a typical lot. A standard home inspection does not include one, so it has to be booked separately.
If a tank is found
- The tank can be removed, or in some cases closed in place. Either way, every tank removal in New Jersey needs a construction permit from the town where the property is.
- Soil samples are taken around the tank. If the soil shows a leak, the discharge has to be reported to NJDEP and cleaned up.
- Buyers often ask the seller to remove the tank before closing or to give a credit for the expected cost.
- Ask the contractor whether the state's oil tank grant program or the homeowner's insurance can help with the cost.
When to book it
Book the sweep at the start of your inspection period, alongside the home inspection. If a tank turns up, you need the rest of that window to get removal quotes and negotiate.
Companies serving South Jersey
Listed from public sources. Confirm licensing or certification before you hire.
Simple Tank Services
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Qualified Tank Services
877-875-2010Website
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Shore Systems Group
732-747-1112Website
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Hawkeye Services
908-801-0223Website
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Common questions
Is a tank sweep required to sell a house in New Jersey?
State law does not require a sweep for every sale, but buyers, mortgage lenders and insurers commonly ask for one on older homes, especially when there is no record that a tank was removed.
How much does an oil tank sweep cost in NJ?
A standard residential sweep typically runs about $300 to $500. Prices vary by lot size and whether ground penetrating radar is used.
Do I need a permit to remove an oil tank in NJ?
Yes. Every tank removal in New Jersey requires a municipal construction permit from the town where the tank is located.
What happens if the soil is contaminated?
A confirmed leak from a residential heating oil tank must be reported to NJDEP and cleaned up. Cleanup costs depend on how far the oil spread and can be far higher than the removal itself.