Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - Fuel Oil Spill in Basement-Need Help

CateP · 06-01-2016, 08:38 AM

Well things may not always turn out the way they first appear. The fuel oil was not removed with the hydrogen peroxide treatment and we are now going to take core samples (for archival purposes) and tear up the basement floor. It really is the only way to remove the fuel oil from cement.

I have since talked to a few experts in this field of fuel oil spills in houses. Turns out there are 100-150 spills per year in NH. Many due to the fact the owner removed a tank and forgot to tell the oil company. Ooops. 200 gallons of fuel in the basement.

Here are some things I have learned. The oil company's insurance company is not our your side. They want to resolve the issue as quickly as cheaply as possible. You must advocate for yourself!! The DES will advocate for the homeowner and advise, but you may want someone else on your side as well. I was lucky to have a family member in the insurance business who gave me the name of a great lawyer who advised me on all the steps I should take during the process. Seek out people who can help you.

One of the most important things to do is document EVERYTHING and take lots of pictures. When you sell your house you will have to disclose the spill and should have complete documentation that the spill was remedied. The DES will have to sign off on the clean up with a "No Further Action Required" letter. BUT...you should also get copies of all procedures that were done as part of the process and lab reports. You want to have exhaustive proof that the spill was cleaned up.

Don't feel pressured to sign the oil company's insurance release agreement. Especially if they were at fault.Once you do that you have absolutely no recourse of action should something unexpected appear. You also want to be compensated for the electric bill increase due to equipment use on your site and for cleaning or replacing any household items that were infused with fuel odor. Take your time to really think about everything that was impacted by the spill and hold the oil company accountable if it was their fault.

Document phone conversations, but better yet communicate by email. That way you have a record of conversations.

Make a timeline of events for your permanent records.You will never remember the details months or years from the time of the spill.

I will continue to update this event as things unfold because I think it will be helpful to anyone else who has this happen.

06-01-2016, 08:38 AM	#20
CateP Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 868 Thanks: 584 Thanked 540 Times in 210 Posts	Update Well things may not always turn out the way they first appear. The fuel oil was not removed with the hydrogen peroxide treatment and we are now going to take core samples (for archival purposes) and tear up the basement floor. It really is the only way to remove the fuel oil from cement. I have since talked to a few experts in this field of fuel oil spills in houses. Turns out there are 100-150 spills per year in NH. Many due to the fact the owner removed a tank and forgot to tell the oil company. Ooops. 200 gallons of fuel in the basement. Here are some things I have learned. The oil company's insurance company is not our your side. They want to resolve the issue as quickly as cheaply as possible. You must advocate for yourself!! The DES will advocate for the homeowner and advise, but you may want someone else on your side as well. I was lucky to have a family member in the insurance business who gave me the name of a great lawyer who advised me on all the steps I should take during the process. Seek out people who can help you. One of the most important things to do is document EVERYTHING and take lots of pictures. When you sell your house you will have to disclose the spill and should have complete documentation that the spill was remedied. The DES will have to sign off on the clean up with a "No Further Action Required" letter. BUT...you should also get copies of all procedures that were done as part of the process and lab reports. You want to have exhaustive proof that the spill was cleaned up. Don't feel pressured to sign the oil company's insurance release agreement. Especially if they were at fault.Once you do that you have absolutely no recourse of action should something unexpected appear. You also want to be compensated for the electric bill increase due to equipment use on your site and for cleaning or replacing any household items that were infused with fuel odor. Take your time to really think about everything that was impacted by the spill and hold the oil company accountable if it was their fault. Document phone conversations, but better yet communicate by email. That way you have a record of conversations. Make a timeline of events for your permanent records.You will never remember the details months or years from the time of the spill. I will continue to update this event as things unfold because I think it will be helpful to anyone else who has this happen.

The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to CateP For This Useful Post: