The short answer: If your New Jersey home was built before 1980 and is located in an area that didn't have natural gas service at the time, which includes much of Somerset County and Hunterdon County, there is a reasonable chance an underground oil tank is buried on your property. The most common signs are fill caps or vent pipes near the foundation, copper oil lines in the basement, and heating system records showing a past conversion from oil to gas.
Long Hill Contracting has removed hundreds of underground oil tanks across Hillsborough, Bridgewater, Branchburg, Flemington, and surrounding NJ communities over the past 30+ years. Here's exactly what to look for.
5 Signs Your NJ Property Has a Buried Oil Tank
1. Fill Caps or Vent Pipes Near the Foundation
The most reliable visual indicator is a small metal cap, typically brass or steel, roughly 2 to 3 inches in diameter, protruding from the ground near your home's foundation or in the side yard. This is the fill cap where oil delivery trucks once dispensed fuel. You may also see a narrower vent pipe nearby. These are often partially hidden by landscaping, soil buildup, or mulch. Look within 5 to 10 feet of the foundation, especially on the side of the home nearest the driveway.
2. Copper or Steel Oil Lines in the Basement
Check your basement or crawl space. If you see copper or steel tubing running from the foundation wall to your furnace or boiler, or capped-off pipes where a connection once existed, your home was once heated by oil. The tank that fed those lines may still be underground outside.
3. Your Home Was Built Before 1980
In Central New Jersey, oil heat was the standard for homes built from the 1940s through the 1970s. Many of these homes have since converted to natural gas, but the underground storage tank was often left in place rather than properly decommissioned. Homes in Hillsborough, Branchburg, Readington, and rural parts of Hunterdon County are especially likely to have buried tanks because natural gas infrastructure arrived later in these areas.
4. Uneven Ground, Patches, or Depressions in the Yard
A sunken area, unusual soil patch, or a strip of newer-looking landscaping near the house may mark where a tank was buried, or where a previous removal was done but not fully restored. Tanks are typically buried 1 to 3 feet below the surface in the side or front yard within 10 feet of the foundation.
5. Seller Disclosure or Property Records Mention an Oil Tank
New Jersey law requires sellers to disclose known underground storage tanks during a real estate transaction. Review your purchase documents, the Seller's Property Condition Disclosure (SPCD), and any title search records. Municipal records and prior building permits may also reference oil tank installation or removal.
What to Do If You Suspect a Buried Oil Tank
If you've spotted any of these signs, or if your home's age and location put it in the high-probability category, the next step is a professional oil tank sweep.
How an oil tank sweep works: A licensed contractor uses ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and soil probing to detect buried metal tanks without digging up your property. The process typically takes 2 to 4 hours and costs a few hundred dollars. It's the definitive way to confirm whether a tank exists and assess its condition.
Why it matters: Under NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) regulations, property owners are responsible for any underground storage tank on their land, whether they knew it was there or not. A leaking tank can contaminate soil and groundwater, triggering mandatory remediation that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Proactively identifying and removing the tank is far less expensive than dealing with contamination after it spreads.
Frequently Asked Questions
How common are buried oil tanks in Somerset County and Hunterdon County, NJ?
Very common. The majority of homes built in these counties between 1940 and 1980 used oil heat. Many of those tanks were never formally removed when homes converted to natural gas.
How much does it cost to remove an underground oil tank in NJ?
Costs depend on tank size, depth, accessibility, and soil conditions. If contamination is found, remediation costs vary depending on the extent of the contamination and NJDEP requirements. Contact Long Hill Contracting for a free, site-specific estimate.
Can I sell my house with a buried oil tank still in the ground?
You can, but you must disclose it. Most buyers will require soil testing for removal and clean soil testing before closing. Proactively removing the tank before listing significantly strengthens your negotiating position. Read our full guide on selling a home with an underground oil tank in NJ.
What happens if a buried oil tank is leaking?
The property owner is responsible for remediation under NJ law. Long Hill Contracting handles the full process: tank removal, soil excavation, lab testing, and NJDEP compliance reporting. Early detection limits the scope and cost of cleanup.
Does Long Hill Contracting do oil tank sweeps?
Yes. We offer professional oil tank detection, removal, soil testing, and environmental remediation services throughout Somerset County and Hunterdon County, NJ. We are fully licensed and experienced with NJDEP compliance requirements.
Key Takeaways
Get a Professional Assessment
If you own a home in Hillsborough, Bridgewater, Branchburg, Flemington, Readington, Montgomery, or anywhere in Somerset and Hunterdon County, and suspect a buried oil tank, don't guess; get a professional sweep.
Long Hill Contracting | 601 Rt. 206 Suite 26-408, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 | 151 five-star Google reviews · 30+ years experience · NJ DEP licensed