3 Signs Your Propane Tank Needs Replacement

Need a New Propane Storage Tank? Admiral Can Help

You may not think much about your propane storage tank. You likely know where the gauge is, to see if you need a fill-up, and you should know where the shut-off valve is, in case of emergency. If the propane tank was already installed when you bought your house, you may not even know how old it is. The good news is that propane storage tanks are built to last and are generally low maintenance.

There are three signs that your propane storage tank needs to be replaced.

1. You Need a Bigger Tank

The most common reason people need to replace their tank is because they are using more propane. A good indicator that your propane use has increased is if you find you are needing more frequent deliveries.

There are several typical reasons you may be using more propane. For example, have you added more propane appliances? If you started out only using propane for cooking, but have added a propane water heater, space heaters or a gas fireplace, your propane needs will increase.

Sometimes, you may be using more propane temporarily. That can happen if the number of people in your home increases for a few weeks—like when kids return home from college for breaks—and there are more people bathing, doing laundry, or washing dishes. Or, if you use propane for heat, you may need to use more propane during periods of intense cold.

But if your household has expanded—a new baby, extended family moving in—you likely will continue using more propane regularly.

A larger tank can reduce how often you need to order propane and make sure you always have enough on hand.

2. Excessive Rust or Corrosion

We inspect your above-ground tank for signs of age every time we deliver fuel, but it’s always smart to keep an eye out for rust. While a little rust or a few small dings are not a problem, large or deep patches of rust and bigger dents can develop into leaks and also allow moisture into the tank — two problems you definitely want to avoid.

If you have an underground tank, you can’t check for that type of deterioration. That’s why underground tanks should be installed with sacrificial anodes (typically, we recommend one bag per 500 gallons), which absorb natural electric currents in the ground and water that would otherwise corrode and deteriorate your tank.

You should schedule regular inspection for your underground tanks so we can monitor the anodes and check for other signs of problems.

3. Damage

If your storage tank is damaged, it should be professionally inspected and most likely replaced. Damage most often comes from an impact—due to storms or weather, for example—but other causes can be from construction or collision.

Need a New Propane Storage Tank?

If you think you need a new propane storage tank, contact the experts at Admiral. Whether you need to install a new tank or replace an old one, our pros have the expertise to handle everything for you, and we’ll make sure the job is done safely and properly. We’ll also make sure you always have the propane you need, when you need it, with convenient options to suit your lifestyle, including auto fill, will call and wireless tank monitoring.

Contact us for more information today!