Underground tank detection in Dorval for homes built from the 1950s to the 1980s

Why check now

Oil heating is declining quickly in Quebec. Since December 31, 2021, installing an oil-fired appliance has been prohibited in new residential construction, and since December 31, 2023 in existing buildings (1). When the regulation was adopted, the government estimated that nearly 200,000 Quebec households still had an oil-fired appliance (2).

Each conversion settles the question of the appliance, but not that of the buried tank. That question comes back during a sale, a pre-purchase inspection or a pool project.

Dorval's residential areas

Dorval borders Lac Saint-Louis and has many residential areas of single-family homes on good-sized lots. A tank may lie along the foundation, under landscaping or under a driveway redone since. Ground penetrating radar works through lawn as well as asphalt, with a clearer or less clear reading depending on the soil.

What the search includes

• Identifying clues on the surface and in the basement
• Tight grid scanning of the probable area
• Radio detection of the oil line, if it is metallic
• Marking the outline and a report with the estimated depth of the top

Frequently asked questions

Does the report guarantee there is no tank? It reaches a conclusion for the scanned area only, specifying the limits and uncertainties. The more complete the area covered, the more useful the conclusion.

Do I need to be present during the visit? It is not mandatory, but access to the basement helps identify clues, such as an old line opening.