A Look at Residential Above Ground Propane Tank Maintenance

More than 50 million Americans rely on residential propane tanks to fuel their homes. For those that choose to rent their propane tank, maintenance falls under the burden of the lender. For those who own their residential propane tank, it’s up to them to cover the costs of maintenance and repairs. Either way, it’s great to know when a residential propane tank requires maintenance and how to prevent the need for unnecessary repairs.

The first way a homeowner can protect their propane tank investment is to ensure that the propane tank is unobstructed. An unobstructed residential propane tank is placed in an area where it can’t become covered in snow, leaves and other outdoor debris. The more added weight to a propane tank’s surface, the higher the likelihood of unwanted leaks. Because propane is a gas, this is extremely dangerous as the last thing anyone wants is an explosion. The next essential step is to store a residential propane tank in an area where it is clearly visible. Keeping a propane tank highly visible not only allows the owner to notice any unusual circumstances, but it also helps to ensure there are no unnecessary collisions. One of the most common mistakes is that grass grows high around the tank, which leads to the tank being hit with a lawnmower, weedwhacker, or other lawncare devices.

The best way to avoid unnecessary repairs is to ensure tank fittings and valves are secured. This is done by ensuring the lid of the tank isn’t exposed to unwanted elements like rain, ice and debris. The fittings and valves are located directly under the lid of the tank. One of the biggest outside elements to look out for when it comes to the safety of the tank’s fittings and valves are birds who find the area a perfect spot for nesting in the spring or bees.

Visibility is also extremely important when it comes to vehicles. Accidents happen, so even if a propane tank is clearly visible, it shouldn’t be in any way close to a path or road that allows vehicles to pass them. All it takes is a small bump from a car for a tank to leak or explode. When the time does come for maintenance and a leak is discovered, this job must be left to an expert. There’s always a temptation to take on a repair job yourself to save on unwanted repair costs. However, leaks in a propane tank cause very serious and dangerous situations. GasTec has the experts on hand who have the proper tools, experience, and understood protocol to fix the leak in the safest way possible.

 

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