Domestic Heating Oil Spill – Practical advice if you have a spill in your home
Domestic heating oil (kerosene) spills can affect your health, your property, and the environment. In the event of a kerosene spill at your home, we recommend that you should contact your insurance company immediately and follow advice from your local Environmental Health Department and the Environment Agency. This article aims to provide practical advice for a homeowners or tenants in the event of a small-scale kerosene spill to minimise further damage. Don’t put yourself at risk to clean-up an oil spill, contact your fuel supplier or Oracle Environmental Experts on 01684 252858 and we can advise on the best course of action.
Identifying the spill origin and preventing loss
The first step is to isolate the leak by switching off the oil supply at your tank and turning off the boiler. It is important to find out where the leak is coming from to prevent any further loss of oil. The diagram below highlights the most common spill origins and what to do if you identify a leak:
1. Failure of your oil storage tank
Failures to the body of your oil tank can be caused by age and’ wear-and-tear’. For example, plastic oil tanks can be damaged by sunlight and can become brittle over time, increasing their susceptibility to spills. Metal oil tanks are susceptible to water damage which can cause rust and corrosion which can weaken your tank. In the event of a spill ensure you have isolated the leak by switching off your oil supply at the oil tank and turning off the boiler. If you find a leak from your oil tank, try to put a container under the leak to catch the oil and prevent it from leaking to ground. For plastic tanks, you may be also able to temporarily stop a leak from a crack or split by rubbing a bar of soft soap across the leak and filling it with soap. Do not try this on metal tanks as you will likely make the crack or split larger.
2. Damage to oil tank fittings
Damage can occur to the oil tank fittings, such as the filter bowl or sight gauge, for example during fuel deliveries, accidental impact or through wear-and-tear. If you identify a leak from the oil tank fittings, put a container under the leak and close any valves or taps on the oil tank to stop the leak.
3. Damage to the fuel line
The fuel line from your oil tank can also become damaged through wear-and-tear or accidental impact. If you identify a leak from the oil line, you should ensure you have isolated the leak by switching off your oil supply at the oil tank and you should also turn off your boiler or Aga/Rayburn. If possible, put a container under any dripping oil to catch it and to prevent it from leaking to ground. Fuel lines can be installed both above and below ground, and if the kerosene spill has occurred below ground, a heating engineer can perform a pressure test to confirm the integrity of the fuel line.
4. Failures in your boiler or cooking/heating appliance
Failures can occur to boiler and oil-fired appliance components such as internal pumps or flexible hoses. If you identify a leak, ensure you isolate the leak by switching off your oil supply at the oil tank and put a container under the leak to stop more oil spreading in your property.
Summary of steps to take if you have a spill
If there is a strong smell of oil in your home, ventilate the area by opening windows and doors and contact your local environmental health department at your local authority for advice.
Keep children and pets away from any spills.
Avoid getting oil on your skin and clothing.
Wash your hands and we suggest you do not smoke, eat or drink when or after you are in contact with the oil.
Switch off your oil supply at the tank.
Try to find out where the kerosene spill is coming from.
Immediately, try to stop it at the source. Put a bucket under dripping oil to catch it (do not use containers that will be used to store food for humans or animals).
Prevent spilled oil from spreading and, in particular, prevent it from getting into drains and waterways. Use absorbing material such as earth, sand, cat litter or commercial products.
If there is an ongoing leak from the tank, try to stop the leak. For example, you may be able to use sealant to temporarily repair a metal tank. For plastic tanks, try rubbing a bar of soft soap into the split.
Try to establish how much oil has been lost; check the level on the tank and think about how much you use and when you last had a delivery
Never use detergents or a hose to wash the spill away.
Store anything with oil on it or soaked into it in containers that do not leak, until it can be correctly and legally disposed of.
If the oil has or could enter drains or the water environment (groundwater, ponds, burns, rivers, lochs, estuaries or coastal waters) you must contact your environmental regulator:
If the spill is likely to affect a public water supply you must contact the local water supply company (Find your supplier). If the spill is likely to affect any private water supplies, you should contact your local environmental health department. If your water supply or pipework may have been affected, don’t drink the water.
Arrange for any remaining fuel in the tank to be removed by a fuel supplier. Don’t try to do this yourself and don’t store oil in a building, shed or vehicle.
Keep a record of any actions you take.
Reporting an oil spill
In the event of a kerosene spill you should contact your insurance company immediately. Don’t put off taking action or assume the problem will go away. The quicker the leak can be dealt with; the less oil will be lost and further damage can be minimised. If your policy permits, your insurance company will appoint a specialist contractor such as Oracle Environmental Experts on your behalf. However, if you don’t have the necessary insurance cover, you will need to appoint a specialist contactor yourself.
Oracle Environmental Experts provide emergency response to spills and pollution incidents. We have extensive experience of dealing with spills in a wide variety of environments including on land, in rivers, lakes and marinas. You can contact Oracle Environmental Experts on 01684 252858.
