Oil Tank Installation in South County, RI
Oil Tank Installation
The most important piece of equipment in an oil-heated home is the one most homeowners never think about.
An aging oil tank is the single largest liability in an oil-heated home. A leak can mean a five-figure environmental cleanup, an insurance claim that may not be covered, and a property value hit that follows the home for years. SmithCo is a certified Roth fuel oil safety storage tank installer, which means double-walled, leak-resistant tanks backed by a 30-year warranty against corrosion-related failures. We handle the full job: removal of the old tank, code-compliant install, and proper disposal.
A typical residential oil tank leak in Rhode Island
Most South County homeowners do not learn these numbers until after a leak. The math on a planned tank replacement looks very different from the math on an emergency cleanup.
The double-walled tank engineered to outlast the home
Roth fuel oil safety tanks use a galvanized steel outer wall surrounding a high-density polyethylene inner tank. The space between catches any inner-tank failure before fuel reaches the floor. This is not the bare-steel single-wall tank that sits in most South County basements today.
Welded-seam corrosion-resistant outer shell forms the secondary containment layer.
Seamless high-density polyethylene cannot rust, corrode, or develop pinhole leaks.
Space between walls captures any inner-tank failure before fuel touches the floor.
Manufacturer warranty against corrosion-related failures, transferable to new homeowners.
Fits through standard 32-inch basement doors, no demo required for installation.
Meets Underwriters Laboratories standards for residential fuel storage. Code-approved.
What you have today vs what we install
Single-wall steel tank
- Bare steel construction (no secondary containment)
- Susceptible to internal corrosion from condensation
- Pinhole leaks develop without warning after 20+ years
- Sediment and water collect at tank bottom
- No warranty after original 5 to 10 year period
- Often non-compliant with current code standards
Galvanized steel + polyethylene
- Double-walled construction with secondary containment
- Polyethylene inner tank cannot corrode
- Engineered to prevent pinhole leaks for life of tank
- Smooth interior reduces sediment and condensation
- 30-year corrosion warranty, transferable on home sale
- UL-listed, fully code-compliant in all RI municipalities
Should you be planning a tank replacement?
Score your tank against these conditions. Two or more is the threshold where most insurers and inspectors start treating the tank as a real liability.
Most single-wall tanks installed before 2005 are at or past their reliable service life.
Rust visible on the steel (not just fittings) means corrosion has started working through the wall.
Any visible oil residue or staining suggests a slow leak that may already be active.
A persistent oil smell when the burner is not firing indicates active vapor leakage. Schedule immediately.
Aging single-wall tanks can complicate sales, fail inspections, and reduce buyer offers.
Any leak in a finished area becomes a far more expensive remediation than one in an unfinished utility space.
Unknown tank age is a red flag for both insurers and prospective buyers.
Tank is likely fine. Re-evaluate annually.
Schedule a tank evaluation. Plan replacement within 12 to 24 months.
Schedule replacement now. The math no longer favors waiting.
What a tank replacement actually involves
Site evaluation
Free in-home visit to evaluate the existing tank, measure clearances, and identify the right Roth model and capacity for your home.
Written quote and permits
Within 3 to 5 days you receive a written quote with all costs, capacity recommendation, and permit handling. We pull permits in-house.
Old tank removal
We pump out remaining fuel for transfer to the new tank, disconnect supply lines, and carefully remove the old unit. Residual fuel is handled by us under proper disposal protocols.
New Roth tank installation
Roth tank carried in through standard basement doors (32-inch compact footprint). Placed, leveled, and secured according to manufacturer and local code.
Connections and testing
Fuel supply line, fill pipe, and vent connections made. Tank pressure-tested. Boiler or furnace bled and re-fired. Warranty registered in your name.
Old tank disposal
Old tank leaves with our crew. Proper disposal under RI environmental regulations, handled in-house. No additional vendor or third-party cost.
Inspection and closeout
If a municipal inspection is required, we schedule and meet the inspector. Closeout paperwork provided to you for insurance and home records.
Technician came on Christmas Day in a timely manner and quickly plugged the leak in our tank. HUGE help to our family at an inconvenient time. Very professional.
Oil tank installation, answered
How long does an oil tank replacement take?
Will my homeowner’s insurance cover an oil tank leak?
Will the Roth tank fit through my basement door?
What happens to the residual fuel in my old tank?
Do I need a permit for tank replacement?
Can I install a tank outside instead of in the basement?
Find out what your tank is worth replacing versus what a leak would cost
Free in-home evaluation. Written quote in 3 to 5 days. Most installs scheduled within 2 to 4 weeks. Emergencies handled same-day.
Master Pipe Fitter License #2703
RI Fuel Oil Dealer License #333
Family-owned since 1985