Underground oil tank, cistern and pit detection

Why search for a buried tank

Thousands of homes in Quebec were heated with oil from a buried tank. After conversion to gas or electricity, the tank was often left in place, sometimes with residual oil. An undeclared tank can complicate a sale, an insurance claim, financing or an excavation.

Use cases and scope of the search

A pre-transaction search aims to document the outdoor area of the property where a tank may have been installed. Before a pool, an addition, a trench or a removal, the sweep instead helps the contractor position the work and plan the job. Visible clues, the building's history and the accessible area guide the search grid, but the absence of surface clues is not enough to rule out a buried structure.

For an excavation, also start with Info-Excavation for public utilities. That request does not automatically locate private installations on the property, such as a tank, a line between the house and a piece of equipment, or a pit. Our survey covers the area surveyed and does not replace the Info-Excavation request or the checks required for removal and soil characterization.

Limits of detection

Ground penetrating radar picks up a difference between the structure and the soil, but on its own it cannot determine the condition, tightness or contents of a tank. Roots, fill, asphalt, nearby structures and wet soil can make interpretation less clear. The report states the area swept, the targets consistent with a tank and the uncertainties observed. A confirmation excavation or a characterization by a qualified professional may be required before any removal decision.

How we work

1. Surface clues: fill pipe, vent, line trench toward the basement, ground depression, old burner.
2. Ground penetrating radar sweep of the likely area, with a tight grid around the clues. A tank produces a characteristic reflection on the profile.
3. Radio detection to confirm the metal oil line between the tank and the house.
4. Marking and report: tank outline painted on the ground, estimated depth to the top, approximate dimensions and photos.

What the report contains

• The site plan with the position of the tank
• Annotated ground penetrating radar profiles
• The estimated depth to the top and approximate dimensions
• Other structures detected in the area
• A clear statement if no tank was detected in the area covered

Why choose Détection Souterraine Québec

• GSSI ground penetrating radar suited to searching for metal and concrete structures.
• A report a non-specialist can read, accepted by the parties to a transaction.
• Search for other utilities during the same visit to prepare the removal.
• Reply within 24 to 48 business hours, useful when a closing date is approaching.

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Related services

Underground utility locating, ground penetrating radar locating and underground conduit locating.

Frequently asked questions

How much does underground tank detection cost? Underground tank detection on a residential property is usually done in a single visit of a few hours. The price depends on the area to sweep and on obstacles (asphalt, landscaping). Request a quote with the address.

Can you confirm there is no tank? Yes, the report specifies the area covered and states that no structure consistent with a tank was detected there. The conclusion is limited to the area swept.

Do you remove the tank? No. We locate it and document its position for the contractor who will carry out the removal and, if needed, the soil characterization.

Do you also detect fibreglass tanks? Ground penetrating radar detects the contrast between the tank and the soil, which also works for non-metallic tanks, with a reliability that depends on the soil and depth.