I have 1000 Gallon buried tank with 750 gallons in it. Could smell a little propane when near the tank. Guys came There is a leak and the valve is very corroded. Wanted to Evac. The 750 out and replace the valve. Nope, it's to far gone. Now what?
It would take two big boom trucks to lift it out after digging it up.
But we're not sure if there is another port in the bottom. My wife asked one of the guys if we could burn off the 750 gallons, ouch.
Valve is corroded not the tank.

What is it attached to? I'd just use it up if I could.

is it affecting the appliances connected to it? as in do you still have a supply to the house with pressure?

if so, and I know nothing about gas, can they not pump it out from the supply line?

If the leak is really miniscule, and you don't have any worry of low area/spaces filling/trapping gas, and it is not likely to get worse for the time it would take to use it, I would use it.

Unless you can have it evacuated and get a decent payment for it minus expenses of the service call and reclaiming.

Especially if these guys are who you would be purchasing tank and project and they can settle it an amicable deal.

For safety, the latter would be my preferred option.

Do you own the tank or lease it from the propane company?

quote:

Do you own the tank or lease it from the propane company?

This is the most important question, because if it's their tank it's their problem. Just because it's buried in your yard doesn't mean you own it.

Thanks guys. I bought the tank. So it's mine

Obviously they have a plan to get that gas out of the tank. 750 gallons of propane is not something you just throw away. I find it hard to believe there is not a small pump to pull the vapor off right where it sits.

I emptied a couple tanks that way using the truck. It was a long boring pain in the ass project, but it had to be done.

If you smell gas you absolutely need to replace the tank/valve ASAP.

I built a custom home for a guy a few years ago who was a prepper. He had bought two 1000 gallon UG storage tanks and had them installed on his property before anything was built…of course where he installed them was the exact location the house needed to go…


Soooo… we had to have the propane evacuated by the propane company. They gave him credit for the gas removed. Then we had to very carefully dig out each tank and lift them out with a 320 Excavator and set them off to the side. We built the house and then reinstalled the tanks about 75 feet away form their original location.

About a year ago, my foreman texted me and asked me if I had heard that this house had blown up?? WTF! I was going back up there that weekend anyway and stopped to look at the house.. Fortunately, the tanks were still there but it was obvious that the initial explosion had taken place in the garage as it was completely gone and the resulting fire had burned down about 90% of the remaining structure. In talking to the Owner he mentioned that he had stored some additional propane tanks in his garage and the fire Marshal had thought that those tanks were the cause of the explosion.

Please take this seriously…

Those with buried tanks. Note that they need cathode protection. There is a whole standard on it. It's often overlooked or not done properly.
LPG is very unforgiving to those that don't respect it.

Personally I would think that this leak problem needs to be taken imedately because if something should happen that could be liked to the gas leak then possibly your insurance company could void any and all claims under the guise of negulance on your part..... drill sgt.

quote:

Originally posted by reflex/deflex 64:
Obviously they have a plan to get that gas out of the tank. 750 gallons of propane is not something you just throw away. I find it hard to believe there is not a small pump to pull the vapor off right where it sits.

I emptied a couple tanks that way using the truck. It was a long boring pain in the ass project, but it had to be done.

I think he's saying the corroded valve is making it impossible to pump out the existing LPG.
ORC, have you had the same provider all along? If so, seems they have fallen asleep on the job to some extent. I worked as a Risk Mgt. representative for a large insurance company that insured LPG suppliers among other things. Their insurance company would be VERY concerned with the current situation as I understand it.