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Oil Tank Repair & Leaking Oil Tanks in Wiltshire

Oil on the ground, a gauge that keeps dropping, or a smell of kerosene by the tank? We find where it's coming from, fix what can be safely fixed, and replace what can't — right across Wiltshire.

⚠️ Oil leaking right now? Follow the steps below, then message us straight away. We prioritise leaks and pollution risks and can usually attend within the same week.

What to do if your oil tank is leaking

  1. Stop using the system if you safely can — turn the boiler off and close the tank's outlet valve.
  2. Contain the oil. Use a drip tray, bucket, cat litter, sand or absorbent pads to soak up and stop the spread. Don't hose it away.
  3. Keep it out of drains and water. Block nearby drains and gullies if you can. If oil has already reached a drain, ditch, stream or pond, report it to the Environment Agency incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 (24 hours).
  4. Don't smoke or use naked flames near the spill.
  5. Tell your home insurer — many policies cover sudden oil escape, and they'll want to hear about it early.
  6. Message us with your town, your tank type and what you can see. Photos help.

Can a leaking oil tank be repaired?

Often, yes — it depends on where the oil is coming from. A lot of "leaking tanks" turn out to be a failed fitting rather than a failed tank:

  • Outlet valves, fittings and seals — worn or loose fittings are a common source of drips and can usually be replaced on the day.
  • Oil supply pipework — corroded, kinked or damaged lines between the tank and boiler can be repaired or re-run.
  • Filters and filter housings — a cracked bowl or perished seal will weep oil; a straightforward swap.
  • Gauges, vents and fire valves — faulty components that let oil or water through can be replaced.

What we won't do is patch a split tank. If the tank body itself is cracked, split, bulging or weeping at the seams, a sealant or patch is not a safe long-term repair — the plastic or steel around the damage is already failing, and your insurer is unlikely to accept it. In that case we'll transfer your usable oil and arrange a like-for-like or upgraded replacement, usually within the same week.

Signs your oil tank is leaking

  • Oil stains, dark damp patches or dead grass around the base or under pipework
  • A strong smell of heating oil near the tank or in the house
  • Your gauge dropping faster than your usage explains, or running out early
  • Oil or water collecting in the bund of a bunded tank
  • Cracks, crazing, whitening or bulging on a plastic tank; rust or weeping welds on a steel one

A single-skin tank with a leak is a pollution risk from day one. A bunded tank gives you an outer skin that holds the oil — but once oil is in the bund, the inner tank has failed and needs attention quickly.

How we handle a leak call-out

  1. Find the source — tank body, fittings, pipework, filter or gauge.
  2. Make it safe — isolate the supply and stop the loss.
  3. Repair or recommend — fix fittings, pipework and components on the spot where we can; if the tank itself has failed, give you a fixed replacement quote.
  4. Deal with the old tank — if it's replaced, we drain it, take it away and recycle it. See removal & disposal.
  5. Paperwork — a written note of what we found and did, for your records and your insurer.

Stop it happening again

Most leaks we see were visible months earlier — a weeping seam, a stained base, a tired filter. An annual tank inspection catches these while they're still a cheap fix. If your tank is 15–20 years old, it's worth pricing a replacement before it fails; our replacement cost guide gives typical figures.

Oil tank repairs across Wiltshire

We cover the whole county, including Salisbury, Swindon, Chippenham, Trowbridge, Devizes, Marlborough, Warminster and the villages in between.

Oil tank repair FAQs

Can a leaking oil tank be repaired?

It depends where the leak is. Fittings, valves, pipework, gauges and filters can usually be repaired. If the tank body itself is split, cracked or weeping at the seams, a patch isn't a safe long-term fix and the tank should be replaced.

What should I do if my oil tank is leaking?

Stop using the system if you can, contain the oil with absorbent material or a drip tray, keep it away from drains and watercourses, and message us. If oil has reached a drain, ditch or stream, call the Environment Agency incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

How quickly can you attend?

We prioritise leaks and pollution risks and can usually attend within the same week. Send your town and what you can see and we'll come back to you as soon as possible.

Is a leaking oil tank covered by insurance?

Many policies cover sudden oil escape but exclude gradual leaks from poorly maintained tanks. Tell your insurer as soon as you find a leak, and keep records of inspections and repairs.

Leaking Oil Tank?

Message us your town and what you can see — someone from our local team will come back to you as soon as possible.

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