NS · Oil tank replacement
Oil tank replacement in Nova Scotia
Oil heat is still common in Nova Scotia, especially outside Halifax and in older homes along the South Shore, the Valley and Cape Breton.
Photo: Madereugeneandrew, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The rules
What applies to oil tanks in Nova Scotia
- Installations follow CSA B139, the Installation Code for Oil Burning Equipment, and the National Fire Code of Canada. The Fuel Safety Section of Labour and Advanced Education oversees both.
- The province says tank work should be done by a trained, licensed Oil Burner Technician, and it advises against installing a used or refurbished tank.
- Homeowners are expected to check the tank for rust, dents and weeping at the outlet, and to have water and sludge removed every year.
- Old tanks, leftover oil and sludge must be disposed of properly, and abandoned fill and vent pipes sealed and labelled or removed.
Source: Nova Scotia: Domestic Oil Tank. Rules change; installers will confirm what applies to your home.
Tank age check
How old is your tank, and what does that mean where you live?
Enter the year on the tank's ULC label (or the install year on your paperwork). This gives general guidance only. Your insurer and your province have the final word.
FAQ
Oil tanks in Nova Scotia: questions
Who can replace an oil tank in Nova Scotia?
Licensed installers and oil burner technicians who work to the CSA B139 code. Ask for their licence number and proof of insurance before work starts.
How fast can I get a tank replaced in Nova Scotia?
Most straightforward replacements are scheduled within one to three weeks. If your insurer or tag deadline is close, say so in your request and installers will tell you their earliest date.
I switched to a heat pump. Do I have to remove the old tank?
An unused tank still holds sludge and can still leak, and many insurers and home buyers want it gone. Removal means pumping out the remaining oil and sludge, cleaning, taking the tank away, and sealing or removing the old fill and vent pipes.
Is Atlantic Oil Tank a contractor?
No. We are a referral service. We take your details, match you with licensed tank installers who serve your area, and they contact you with a quote. You deal with the installer directly and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
Free quotes
Tell us about your tank
Requests are received instantly and sent straight to licensed installers who serve your area. No phone tag: fill out the form once and the installers come to you.
Installers contact you directly with a quote, usually within one to two business days. There is no cost to you and no obligation to hire anyone.
Atlantic Oil Tank is a referral service. Participating installers pay us for referrals. We share your details only with installers you are matched to.