Underground tank detection in Laval before selling a home

Laval keeps a close eye on its oil-fired appliances

Since May 2, 2023, every Laval owner of a building equipped with an oil-fired heating appliance must declare it to the City. An appliance running entirely on oil is taxed $100 per year, and a dual-energy system $50 (1). The City estimates that 5,800 systems are still in place on its territory (1).

This pressure is pushing many owners to convert their heating. But the conversion targets the appliance, not necessarily the buried tank, which can remain in the yard for years.

When the survey makes a difference

• Before putting the house on the market, to answer the buyer's questions
• During a pre-purchase inspection that reports signs of heating oil
• Before an insurance or financing application
• Before hiring a specialized contractor for the removal

Reading the signs on a Laval property

The technician first looks for visible signs: fill pipe, vent, trace of a line in the basement, former burner location. He then runs a tight ground-penetrating radar grid around these signs. The report gives the position, the approximate dimensions and the depth to the top, as well as the limits of the area covered.

Frequently asked questions

Does the declaration to the City apply to an abandoned tank? The declaration applies to oil-fired heating appliances (1). For the status of a tank no longer in use, check with the City and your notary; our survey documents its physical presence.

Can the report be used by the notary? Yes, it describes the scanned area and the results. It does not replace a soil characterization if contamination is suspected.