Kew Gardens Home Inspection: Copper piping is soldered with a flame, also known as 'sweating pipe', and as such is susceptible to 'unsweating' if a fire were to originate in the basement near the tank.

This is why steel piping should be used, and steel piping does not need to be soldered so no open flame is needed in the basement.

Steel pipe is also threaded and therefore screwed together piece by piece, but sometimes we see improper thread sealant on the piping - teflon tape for example.

Teflon tape cannot be used where petroleum-based liquids are used, and must be sealed with paste-type pipe sealant, also known as pipe dope.  

So when you need a hands-on home inspector who has installed oil tanks, call on Meticulous Home Inspection at 631-902-6761.

We are available 7 days a week, so don't be ridiculous, call Meticulous!