Hi,
We have an electric water heater next to an old fuel oil tank that is no longer in use. We had a plumber come out to replace the hot water heater and he told us that we would have to move the hot water heater away from the fuel oil tank because it's a hazard; he said the oil breaks down and creates fumes that are combustible.
My husband is a firefighter, he knew right away the plumber is misinformed. We called out our local fire chief who also said its not a hazard, but should have the oil removed because it will eventually leak, he said the worst part about that is the smell and that there's no imminent hazard sitting next to the water heater.
We cant move the fuel oil tank, it is too large & heavy to make it up the stairs, I cant get a company out to unhook it until 3 weeks out. It would have to be cut up into pieces at a later date. Time is an issue. Its over $1200 to have a company come out to remove the tank.
Can I get some thoughts on this? The water heater is only a few years old, covered under manufacturer warranty and will be replaced by the exact same make and model. I haven't told the plumber about what the chief said yet, not sure how to approach that without offending him. Thank you in advance!
We have an electric water heater next to an old fuel oil tank that is no longer in use. We had a plumber come out to replace the hot water heater and he told us that we would have to move the hot water heater away from the fuel oil tank because it's a hazard; he said the oil breaks down and creates fumes that are combustible.
My husband is a firefighter, he knew right away the plumber is misinformed. We called out our local fire chief who also said its not a hazard, but should have the oil removed because it will eventually leak, he said the worst part about that is the smell and that there's no imminent hazard sitting next to the water heater.
We cant move the fuel oil tank, it is too large & heavy to make it up the stairs, I cant get a company out to unhook it until 3 weeks out. It would have to be cut up into pieces at a later date. Time is an issue. Its over $1200 to have a company come out to remove the tank.
Can I get some thoughts on this? The water heater is only a few years old, covered under manufacturer warranty and will be replaced by the exact same make and model. I haven't told the plumber about what the chief said yet, not sure how to approach that without offending him. Thank you in advance!