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allaboutmojitos t1_ja3d88g wrote

Not my line of work, but if that’s the tank fill point, I’d venture to guess that this was an overfill situation and they’re doing the right thing by trying to absorb any run off. A leak would probably seep out from below, not run down from the top.

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signifywinter t1_ja3ih2m wrote

There are a few things going on here.

First, the fill connection is 1.5” threaded pipe. These connections are very prone to leaking during fill because the threads wear out over time both on the fill box and the fill adapter. “Modern” fill adapters use rubber rings to ensure a good seal during fill. 1.5” adapters do not have these.

Also, when this stoop was constructed, the fill box was not properly installed. The adapter connection should not be parallel to the ground. The scenario you see can lead to the oil flowing back when the hose from truck is disconnected.

Also, the pipe to the tank may not be pitched corrected. So when the fill is complete, some portion of the oil may flow back to the street when the hose from truck is disconnected.

Also, the stain on the wall may be due to two factors. One is the fill box connection leaking when during fill. Another is the fill box/pipe can be cracked inside the masonry. The masonry over time soaks up the leaked oil.

The stay dry was most likely put down by the oilman as this fill is clearly a bad leaker. It’s a fairly common, though undesirable scenario.

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Ng3me OP t1_ja3opv6 wrote

Good info. Glad it isn’t a fire hazard.

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mistersausage t1_ja66jjq wrote

Fuel oil is not flammable, just like diesel. You can throw a match in and it won't ignite.

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signifywinter t1_ja6m9sq wrote

Fuel oil and diesel are actually the exact same thing, but two minor, yet key differences:

  • Fuel oil is not taxed for road use and it has red dye in it to indicate if it’s improperly put into vehicles to skirt taxes.

  • Historically, diesel used to have more strict requirements when it came to sulfur content than fuel oil. Fuel oil used to have >=2,000ppm sulfur in it and increasing standards mandated diesel at be low sulfur at 500ppm. Ultra low sulfur diesel then was mandated at 15ppm. At this point, everything is ultra low sulfur.

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Ng3me OP t1_ja39s0b wrote

This is a nearby neighbor. They’ve been putting kitty litter or sand down for a few weeks. I just thought it was weird. Today I could smell what may be oil so I looked closer. Is this an oil leak? Should I cal 911?

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ScienceWasLove t1_ja3f0xg wrote

It’s heating oil probably. Probably overfilled by the heating oil company. It is essentially diesel fuel. Don’t call 911.

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jamin_g t1_ja3ju33 wrote

Of all the things the police should respond to, this is not one of them.

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Ng3me OP t1_ja3ojsd wrote

Fire department. People have entirely lost their minds and forgotten what 911 is.

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Richardthisisyerdad t1_ja86bqd wrote

The oilman just was messy. If the tank was over filled, oil would literally be everywhere, including the home owners basement.

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[deleted] t1_ja3bjqm wrote

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Dryheavemorning t1_ja3bvge wrote

Bunch of old row homes use heating oil. I almost bought one.

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[deleted] t1_ja3c062 wrote

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AnotherUser297 t1_ja3cr9k wrote

It’s not dangerous in terms of flammability (you could throw a match into a barrel of oil and it will go out), but it is terrible if it’s contaminating the ground and getting into water systems.

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[deleted] t1_ja3d427 wrote

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scotty269 t1_ja3ddcb wrote

Calling 911 on this would lead to the fire department coming out to address, not the police.

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eleboil t1_ja5yegd wrote

If that is the Fill, where is the vent? Do you have oil heat? so many questions as an oilman.

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signifywinter t1_ja6k81s wrote

There is a small pipe above the fill that was probably where a button whistle was, if it ever existed.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole thing is improperly installed. In other words, the button whistle may be the only vent and there may be no associated main vent with weighted cap. Cases like this are very dangerous because the tank can’t vent fast enough while being filled and can lead to tank failure.

Not saying that’s the case here, but the amount of leaking can also be indicative of back pressure from inadequate venting.

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FormerHoagie t1_ja5exyc wrote

It’s not a threat unless it’s an actual spill. This is not a spill and no worse than a car whose oil pan is constantly dripping.

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Elderly_Bi t1_ja7n11a wrote

Most likely spillage when filling. Oil doesn't leak up

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Darius_Banner t1_ja7srdm wrote

Related: how common is this for heating in Philly? Seems really old school

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Richardthisisyerdad t1_ja877bi wrote

Very common, alot of people don't have thousands of dollars to convert to natural gas.

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Darius_Banner t1_ja91mqu wrote

Amazing. Even natural gas is primitive by todays standards. Something a functional federal government could help with!

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Richardthisisyerdad t1_ja85qzq wrote

Old wall fills tend to leak over time. The oil guy is supposed to have a threaded pipe that he wrenches in tight to the wall fill, he might of not had the right pipe.

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