There are steps you can take which will help to reduce the risk of oil leaks and spills at your home. You should:

• regularly check your oil tank, boiler and pipes for leaks and corrosion
• check for leaks if you notice a sudden increase in the amount of oil you are using - a minor leak can add up to a large loss of fuel over time
• carefully check your current fuel stock before re-ordering and, if possible, supervise deliveries
• make sure your boiler is regularly serviced by an Oil Firing Technical Association (OFTEC) registered engineer
• install new fuel tanks away from property boundaries, building openings, drains, streams and ponds

For further advice on tank locations contact our Building Control Team.

How to identify an oil leak

Pay attention to the following warning signs, you may have an oil leak if you notice:

• a strong smell of solvent, petrol, or oil inside or outside your home
• black stains and dead plants or grass around your tank
• a sudden increase in the amount of fuel you use

If you identify an oil leak or spill at your home we strongly urge you to contact us on 01202 123 789 or email  environmental.health@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

Although we will not be able to clear up the oil spill for you, we can offer advice on how to address the issue.

What to do if you suspect an oil leak

If you suspect an oil leak at your home you should:

• try to stop it at source
• use absorbents such as sand to prevent it flowing into drains or waterways
• try to find out where the leak is coming from
• switch off your oil supply at the tank and arrange to have it emptied
• arrange for an engineer to repair or replace your tank pipework
• call the Environment Agency if a leak could affect a stream, pond or other water supply
• never use detergents or a hose to wash the spill away
• keep your home well-ventilated by opening windows and doors
• call your insurance company or landlord and inform them of the leak
• call us if you smell oil in your home
• take immediate action

What could happen if you ignore an oil spill at your home

Failing to properly address a large oil spill at your home could lead to:

• major liabilities to compensate adjacent landowners
• significant loss of value to your property
• your land being classed as "contaminated land" under the Environmental Protection Act 1990