Frequently Asked Questions
The tank industry is a one that can often raise many questions in the mind of the consumer. These are some of them:
- How long does it take to test my tank?
- When will i receive my results?
- Why do I have to wait so long for my lab results?
- How much damage will occur on my property as a result of your test?
- Do you offer tank insurance?
- Will your tests damage my tank?
- How much oil do I need in my tank for a test?
- Why has the ground been spray painted at my property? Why are there flags marking the ground?
- Why can't my job be scheduled immediately?
- Why does the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) need to get involved?
- Will my property look the same when you are done?
- What payment types do you accept?
- How much does it cost to start my job?
- Do you offer payment plans?
Testing
How long does it take to test my tank?
Our tank tests require a soil boring for validity. By law, no digging can be performed in the state of New Jersey without notifying the
New Jersey One Call Center for appropiate utility markouts. Scheduling occurs once the utility markouts are prepared (5 days) and testing is normally completed in a few hours.
When will i receive my results?
Preferred Tank Services will provided you with a test report and recommendations once the lab analyticals(if a sample is submitted) and payment are received. This comprehensive report will be provided via the United States Postal Service but can be sent to the customer electronically via email or facsimile.
Why do I have to wait so long for my lab results?
Initial lab results are received within 3-5 business days. This is our laboratory's standard turn around time. Samples may be rushed for analysis for an additional charge. Should you want to rush your samples please inform the technicians in the field, as well as our office.
Final laboratory analyses take approximately 6-8 weeks.
How much damage will occur on my property as a result of your test?
Your property will receive little to no damage as a result of our testing. Borings are taken in proximity of the tank and are patched upon completion of the respective test
Do you offer tank insurance?
While we are authorized to do work for most tank insurance companies, we do not provide tank insurance. Contact your fuel dealer for tank insurance coverage.
Will your tests damage my tank?
Our test will not cause any damage to your tank.
How much oil do I need in my tank for a test?
Ideally your tank should be 20%-80% full for the most accurate results, but we can test any tank regardless of the level of oil in the tank.
Why has the ground been spray painted at my property? Why are there flags marking the ground?
What you see is a "markout" of all the underground utilities at your property. We are required by law to call NJ One Call before we begin any work at your property. NJ One Call then notifies your local utility companies of our pending work at your site and they in turn markout their underground lines. We have to do this not only because it is law, but also for your safety and the safety of our technicians
The paint is only temporary and should wash off with the rain. The flags will remain on your property until project completion. It is not only illegal, but potentially very dangerous to remove flags prior to our arrival. Please do not touch the flags, as they are indicators of where various utility lines are located.
Construction
Why can't my job be scheduled immediately?
There are three factors that go into scheduling the removal and/or installation of a storage tank.
- The first factor is applying for a local permit. We can handle the permitting process for you, but unfortunately we have no control over how long a particular municipality may take to issue a permit. Each town is legally allowed 22 days to issue a permit. Some municipalities offer same day issuance, however larger municipalities do not and may take longer to issue permits.
- Once we have permits in hand, we can address the second factor, which involves coordinating our schedules with those of the local inspectors. All construction work we do is required to be inspected. If the inspector is not available, we cannot perform the work that day and must reschedule.
- The third factor is the acquisition of "markouts." See above for further information regarding "markouts."
