With winter around the corner, you should start making preparations right away. From preparing the home heating oil tank that helps you stay warm to other aspects of home winterization, now is not the time to procrastinate. To help you in your preparations, the experts from Monroe Oil Company, based in Rochester, NY, offer more than 75 years of experience and plenty of advice regarding oil tanks for homes. They understand the importance of these features and have put together a guide to help you prepare your tank for the harsh winter.

3 Tips to Prepare Oil Tanks for Homes This Winter

1. Water Removal

Like the snow outside your tank, water that has seeped into it can easily freeze once temperatures drop. This can lead to blockages, sludge accumulation, or even bacterial growth. To avoid these issues altogether, you should have any water pumped out and removed from the tank. If you’re unsure whether water found its way into your tank, hire a contractor to inspect all of the lines, pipes, and the body itself. This will give peace of mind in knowing your tank is water-free and that you’re doing everything you can to such prevent icy problems.

2. Insulation

Keeping your oil cozy and warm prevents it from freezing so it can continue to warm up your home. First, make sure you insulate the lines themselves by wrapping them with an insulating material and sealing any potential openings. Then, try using an electric blanket over the body of the tank. These techniques should help keep the entire system warm, allowing the oil to move freely and help your home stay warm and cozy all winter.

3. Oil Protection

Finally, once you have removed water from the tank and insulated the system, don’t forget to take further steps in protecting the home heating oil from freezing. To do this, additives like anti-gelling substances can prevent the oil from becoming too cold. When this does happen, the oil becomes more solid, even taking on a waxy appearance. And waxy oil does not burn nearly as well to maintain that warm temperature in your home. Thus, by adding in materials that protect it, you can prevent any problems with your home heating oil.

By properly preparing your oil tanks for winter, you can be confident you and your family will be warm throughout winter. If you’re in need of any kerosene or home heating oil, the experts at Monroe Oil Company always offer affordable heating fuel prices and incredible customer service. Give them a call today at (585) 244-4080 or visit their website for more information.