Below you will find photographs and captions that detail the typical steps of an oil tank removal and subsequent remediation (cleanup). Also provided are photos taken during and after the remediation process.
While this work may be invasive at times, please remember you may be eligible for full or partial coverage from your insurance provider under you third-party liability policy. In fact, all of the photos presented in this gallery, excluding the tank removal images, are from insurance-covered projects. Also remember, we are here to help and guide you through this process. Contact Phoenix Consulting today for more information!
Step 1: An underground tank is removed from a residential property; an oil leak was identified upon removal. Other common sources of oil leaks are aboveground tanks, their associated filter, and the fuel lines running from above or underground tanks.
Step 2: The owner of the property opened a claim with their homeowner’s insurance provider who retained Phoenix Consulting to investigate the reported release, gather information and analytical data, and prepare a report to document the findings.
Step 3: The insurance provider afforded coverage for remediation based on the findings of the investigation. A structural engineer was retained to evaluate the foundation of the house, the footing beneath the foundation was supported in place using helical piers in accordance with the engineering design, and the contaminated soil was excavated and properly disposed of at a licensed facility.
Step 3 cont’d.: In rarer cases, the contamination extends beneath the residence and extensive structural support is necessary.
Step 3 cont’d: When the contamination extends deep into the subsurface (also rare), a steel shoring box is utilized to protect the surrounding soils. In this case, the contamination intersected the groundwater table and extended to weathered rock. The top of rock was washed once exposed and all oily water was pumped from the excavation area, treated (filtered) on-site, and discharged to a nearby storm drain under a permit issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
Step 3 cont’d: Although unlikely, the contamination may extend deep and spread laterally throughout the subsurface. In this case an extensive shoring system was installed to excavate the contaminated soil. Groundwater present within the excavation was recovered via a multi-point dewatering system, treated on-site, and discharged to a nearby storm drain.
Step 4: Once field screening indicates clean and the required post-remedial soil samples are collected, the excavation area is backfilled with certified clean imported fill. The fill material is mechanically compacted in lifts as required by the NJDEP.
Step 4 cont’d: In some cases, typically when the foundation is exposed, a flow-able cement fill is utilized to fill any voids beneath the house and around the helical pier brackets where mechanical compaction is not possible.
Step 5: In most cases, groundwater monitoring is required by the NJDEP following remediation. A licensed well driller installs a State-permitted monitoring well which allows the collection of the required groundwater samples.
Step 6: The post-remedial groundwater samples are collected. Once all required analytical data is received, a Remedial Action Report (RAR) is prepared, compiled, and submitted to the NJDEP recommending no further action. The well driller returns to abandon the monitoring well shortly after the No Further Action Letter is issued by the NJDEP.
Step 7: The last step of the process is restoration of the affected items. If coverage for remediation is afforded by the insurance provider, the insured is typically entitled to like-kind replacement of the affected items. In this case, excavation extended under a concrete patio and raised deck. Following remediation, the concrete patio, steps to the deck, and 6x6 support posts were replaced.
Step 7 cont’d: In this case, the contamination extended beneath fencing, landscaping, and hardscaping. All affected items were replaced after remediation.
