Your Garden And Old Oil Tanks: Is Your NJ Soil Safe To Grow?
So you're thinking about starting that vegetable garden, maybe some tomatoes or herbs. But wait... wasn't there an old oil tank buried somewhere on your property? Yeah, that's a thing people need to worry about in New Jersey. Those underground tanks can leak and mess up your soil without you even knowing it.
Hidden Dangers Under Your Feet
Old heating oil tanks are everywhere in NJ. Houses built before 1980 often had these tanks buried in backyards. Over time, they rust and leak. The oil seeps into the ground and stays there for years.
This isn't just about dead grass anymore. When oil contaminates soil, it brings nasty chemicals that can hurt plants and people.
Heavy metals, petroleum compounds... stuff you definitely don't want in your tomatoes.
The tricky part? Your soil might look totally fine. No weird smells, no obvious stains. But the contamination is still there, hiding underground.
Testing Your Soil Before You Plant
Here's what smart homeowners do first they test their soil. A Soil Testing Service NJ can check for oil contamination and other problems. These tests look for petroleum compounds, heavy metals, and pH levels.
Professional soil testing costs way less than dealing with contaminated vegetables later. Most tests run around $100 to $300. They take samples from different spots in your yard and send them to labs.
Don't trust those basic home test kits from the garden center. They can't detect oil contamination. You need the real deal professional testing that looks for petroleum products.
When You Need Professional Help
Found contamination? That's where a Soil Remediation Company NJ comes in. These folks specialize in cleaning up contaminated soil. They can remove the bad dirt and replace it with clean soil.
Soil remediation isn't cheap, but it's necessary if you want safe growing conditions. The process usually involves digging up contaminated areas and either treating the soil or hauling it away.
Some companies use bioremediation - basically adding bacteria that eat oil contamination. Others do soil replacement. The method depends on how bad the contamination is and where it's located.
Dealing With Oil Tank Removal
Still got that old tank buried somewhere? Time to deal with it. Oil Tank Removal Cost NJ varies a lot, anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on size and location.
Tank removal companies have to follow state rules. They can't just dig it up and haul it away. There's paperwork, soil testing, and proper disposal requirements.
Most removal jobs take one or two days. The crew digs up the tank, tests the surrounding soil, and removes any contaminated dirt. If the soil is clean, great. If not, that's when you need Soil Remediation near Me NJ.
Testing After Cleanup
Even after tank removal and soil work, test again before planting. Contamination can spread in unexpected ways. Underground water flow moves chemicals around. That clean spot might not stay clean.
Annual soil testing makes sense if you're growing food. Soil conditions change. New contamination can show up from nearby properties or old spills you didn't know about.
Bottom Line
Don't guess about soil safety. Old oil tanks are common in New Jersey, and soil contamination is a real problem. Professional testing costs less than health problems later.
Start with soil testing. If there's contamination, call remediation experts. Remove old tanks before they become bigger problems. Your garden and your family will thank you for taking soil safety seriously.
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