Fuel oil smell - abatement? Testing?

Wait until they have removed the old boiler and cleaned up their mess

newtomehouse

in General Discussion 8 years and 5 months ago

3

Please log in, in order to post replies!

3 replies

Newest Oldest

Guest User | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "197668"

Hello BStoners –
We just finished converting our old oil boiler to gas, which of course involved removing the oil tank from our dirt floor basement. Now there’s a distinct smell of oil, which hasn’t gotten better in almost a week. The old boiler is still there and will be taken out in a couple of weeks – that could be contributing to the smell. I know the fumes are toxic. A neighbor experienced the horror of an oil spill in their basement which led to their house being declared a ln EPA toxic spill site. So I know it’s a serious issue but I hope to solve this without getting to that point.
Any suggestions –
• for a testing service that can measure exposure levels?
• for a company that could abate / dig out the problem dirt?
• a lawyer who could pressure the companies that did the work?

Thanks !

Lurker | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#5041 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5044 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "113126"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(6) "Lurker"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Biam83uc193o8.v5qK1VChb9yjJ5vu."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(6) "lurker"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "jcjedi_10003@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(21) "/forums/users/lurker/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2011-01-19 18:44:20"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(6) "Lurker"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(113126)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Pump the brakes a bit–it’s been a week, you still have the device that consumed all that oil sitting in your house, and yes there’s probably oil drops or spills here and there but you will definitely regret bringing in the authorities, who are obliged to take a worst case scenarios outlook on the situation. Do not do that. If the company who removed stuff spilled the oil that’s another story but I’d still avoid calling in the cavalry. Your situation is totally common and normal.

You’ll get lingering smell a while but see how it goes after the boiler is removed, air it out as much as possibe, sprinkle some oil absorbent material down on the concrete like kitty litter or sawdust, let it absorb then put that in contractor bags and chuck them. If the smell is very strong this site has a ton of recommendations like putting out bowls of vinegar and open bags of charcoal, which absorb or neutralize the smell. (i’m not affiliated i just googled). But
https://www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/household/tips/heating-oil.php

Guest User | 8 years and 5 months ago

string(1) "3"
string(6) "197668"

That’s very helpful – THANK YOU. I glanced at the linked article and the fact that a tiny amount of heating oil can create a distinct smell is clarifying. Unfortunately my situation is more challenging because the dirt floor hides any spill in a way that concrete wouldn’t. Yet another reason I have basement envy. But pump the brakes I will.