Soil Testing vs. Tank Testing

When it comes to checking the condition of an underground oil tank, soil testing is the only reliable method.Many companies still offer “tank testing,” but here’s the truth — no one in the industry stands behind those results with a guarantee. If a company won’t back its own test, why pay for it?At A1 Oil Tank Removal, we do things differently. We offer real testing with a 100% guarantee — because we believe homeowners deserve answers they can trust.

How Most Companies Test

Most contractors do soil testing by hand, digging just a few feet down around your tank. The problem? Tanks are usually 7–8 feet deep. If someone only tests at 3 or 4 feet, they might miss a leak entirely — and you could buy a property that’s contaminated without knowing it.

How We Test

At A1, we use a Geoprobe — a specialized machine with a hydraulic hammer that can reach depths up to 25 feet. We drill right alongside your tank, going down to the bottom of the tank to collect accurate soil samples.This lets us pinpoint:
  • Whether oil has leaked into the ground
  • How far any contamination may have spread
You’ll know exactly what’s happening underground — no guessing, no surprises.

What You Can Expect

There are two possible outcomes from our soil investigation:1. No Contamination (Best Case)We take three boreholes around the tank. If lab results show no detection (ND) of oil, that’s great news! We’re so confident in our testing that we back it with a 100% guarantee — if your tank is later found leaking, we’ll clean it up for free, no matter the cost. This warranty costs $1,400 and is added to the tank removal fee ($1,400). The soil investigation itself costs $600.2. Contaminated Soil FoundIf we find contamination, we’ll perform a soil delineation — measuring how deep and far the oil spread. From there, we’ll give you a fixed-price quote for removal and cleanup — no open-ended contracts or surprise bills. The soil investigation is $600 and includes determining that fixed cleanup price.

Signs of a Leaking Underground Tank

You might have a problem if you notice:
    • Your tank is over 10 years old
    • Higher-than-normal heating bills
    • Oily sheen in your water
    • Oil smell on your property
    • Dead grass or stained spots in your yard

Want to learn more about how soil testing works? Give us a call anytime.- 973 922 9002

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