Fuel Oil Spill in Basement-Need Help

CateP · 06-02-2016, 03:01 PM

There was a crack in the cement floor that they took a core drill from to see if it went through the entire 4 inches of concrete. It did. If you have any cracks in the floor of a fuel oil spill they should be thoroughly investigated.

As a result of the crack going through the cement, the surface below has to be excavated and tested for contamination. These soil samples are sent to the DES for testing by an independent lab. (Not to be paranoid, but I would monitor these soil collections to make sure they are taking them from the potentially contaminated area and not some far off place where contamination is unlikely. Again--time=$$ to the insurance company)

In my case, the gravel is being vacuumed out and put in hazardous waste barrels. (What ever happens to those barrels, I wonder?) Right now we have a hole in the basement that is 3 feet deep and about 6 six feet in circumference. It's getting larger by the hour. The furnace is being suspended from the ceiling as is the water tank with big straps and heavy duty hangers. Nothing underneath as the cement has been jack hammered away. Pretty incredible to see. I'll post a picture later.

Important note:I work from home so I am able to monitor this whole procedure and ask questions. I would recommend anyone in this same situation find a way to be home or find someone who can be there on your behalf.

Jersey Ed · 06-02-2016, 04:46 PM

Those filled barrels will be taken away and disposed of by the company doing your remediation work or another company they hire to do the disposal. My son works for such a company here in NJ. They travel all over the northeast picking up and disposing of these barrels and other hazardous waste. You can be assured that they will be properly disposed of and not just dumped along the roadside somewhere.

06-02-2016, 03:01 PM	#1
CateP Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 868 Thanks: 584 Thanked 540 Times in 210 Posts	Update There was a crack in the cement floor that they took a core drill from to see if it went through the entire 4 inches of concrete. It did. If you have any cracks in the floor of a fuel oil spill they should be thoroughly investigated. As a result of the crack going through the cement, the surface below has to be excavated and tested for contamination. These soil samples are sent to the DES for testing by an independent lab. (Not to be paranoid, but I would monitor these soil collections to make sure they are taking them from the potentially contaminated area and not some far off place where contamination is unlikely. Again--time=$$ to the insurance company) In my case, the gravel is being vacuumed out and put in hazardous waste barrels. (What ever happens to those barrels, I wonder?) Right now we have a hole in the basement that is 3 feet deep and about 6 six feet in circumference. It's getting larger by the hour. The furnace is being suspended from the ceiling as is the water tank with big straps and heavy duty hangers. Nothing underneath as the cement has been jack hammered away. Pretty incredible to see. I'll post a picture later. Important note:I work from home so I am able to monitor this whole procedure and ask questions. I would recommend anyone in this same situation find a way to be home or find someone who can be there on your behalf.

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06-02-2016, 04:46 PM	#2
Jersey Ed Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 24 Thanks: 231 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Those filled barrels will be taken away and disposed of by the company doing your remediation work or another company they hire to do the disposal. My son works for such a company here in NJ. They travel all over the northeast picking up and disposing of these barrels and other hazardous waste. You can be assured that they will be properly disposed of and not just dumped along the roadside somewhere.