Why does my oil company need to do an inspection?

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
I called my usual fuel oil company to get a delivery to my new house. They said they have to send an inspector over to look at it first. What do they have to inspect? There's the pipe...put your nozzle in and pump!
 

I just had an inspection on my gas meter. There were no leaks, but there is some rust. If it rusts through, it would cause a leak. They will come out sometime to scrap off the rust and paint it. I never even thought of this til they told me. We aren't experts and we can't spot problems that they can.
 

Last edited:
debodun said:
I called my usual fuel oil company to get a delivery to my new house. They said they have to send an inspector over to look at it first. What do they have to inspect? There's the pipe...put your nozzle in and pump!
Click to expand...
When on the phone with them & they told you that, why not ask them why? Could be a variety of reasons as others have suggested. Even could be what kind of unit you have to be able to deliver the right kind of heating oil.
What Are The Different Types Of Heating Oils?
  • 1.1 1. Kerosene.
  • 1.2 2. # 1 Fuel Oil.
  • 1.3 3. Diesel Fuel.
  • 1.4 4. # 2 Fuel Oil.
  • 1.5 #2 Fuel Oil For Home Heating.
Jun 7, 2021
 
debodun said:
I called my usual fuel oil company to get a delivery to my new house. They said they have to send an inspector over to look at it first. What do they have to inspect? There's the pipe...put your nozzle in and pump!
Click to expand...
Generally they should pressure check the lines for leaks. I'm not sure of your area, but many/most areas require a periodic check. Failure to do this equates to liability if a leak starts a roaring fire.
 
debodun said:
I called my usual fuel oil company to get a delivery to my new house. They said they have to send an inspector over to look at it first. What do they have to inspect? There's the pipe...put your nozzle in and pump!
Click to expand...

Be glad that the fuel company wants to do an inspection. With cold weather arriving, any "flaw" in the home heating system can result in a major house fire. Since you have recently moved into this house, and have NO idea of what the previous owners did, or did not do, a few minutes for a good inspection is some worthwhile "insurance".
 
They might be checking out your furnace. If you have a crack in the heat exchanger, you can get exhaust in your heated air, which if bad enough can kill you. We had that with our furnace that I just replaced. I very much suspect this toxic air may have made my cancer worse over last winter.
 
Several years ago, one of our Aunts died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty furnace. She was found laying on her couch after complaining about feeling like she was coming down with the flu. While we are on this subject, I hope everyone has a carbon monoxide detector (she didn't) and the batteries are current.

We have smoke detectors for smoke that we could see or smell. But carbon monoxide can't be seen or smelled and many people don't have a detector. At the start of this furnace weather, I hope everyone gets a detector, if they don't already have one. And check the batteries on the ones you have.

http://www.hhph.net/furnace-repair-carbon-monoxide-threat
 
Read all the posts above and have them inspect your furnace. If you don't and the house blows up with you in it then we will know why we don't see you anymore. ha ha
 
@debodun !!!!Stop being suspicious of people (and businesses) and their motives!!!! Not everybody is out to get your last dime.

This sounds way more like a safety issue than anything else. Do it. It needs to be done. If it costs, pay. If it doesn't, swell. You can be confident that you're good to go and can be comfortable in the coming cold weather.
 
The inspector found two issues - 1) the tank vent is PVC. He said they now have to be metal. 2) Also the line from the tank to the furnace is copper and will have to be replaced.

They won't deliver oil until I have these problems repaired.

oil.jpg
 
Last edited:
I called the person that did the house inspection and he said the fuel tank is not included in the inspection and suggested I get my heating oil from the company that the previous owner used. I called them and they wee happy to have me as a customer and had no issues with the tank setup.
 
debodun said:
I called the person that did the house inspection and he said the fuel tank is not included in the inspection and suggested I get my heating oil from the company that the previous owner used. I called them and they wee happy to have me as a customer and had no issues with the tank setup.
Click to expand...

I would still think about getting a "second opinion". PVC piping around ANY petroleum fuel is Not a good idea, and if there is a potential problem with any copper piping on the unit, that could cause a major problem at the worst possible time. You might be wise to have another reputable technician check it out before you have an unpleasant surprise at 3AM during a Winter storm.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top