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How to tell if it's an underground propane tank...?
My husband and I are looking to buy a house and we found one that we love, the only thing is our agent thinks(but isn't sure) there may be an underground propane tank. The house is old(built in 1941), so therefore the tank would be too, so it would be dangerous and would need to be removed. The thing that tipped him off where four hollow metal rods sticking out of the ground, about 6 inches or so. They are spaced out in a rectangle about 2 ft by 3.5 ft. The rods look like they have been cut off. Does anyone know what this could be? I know I should just get an inspection, but that costs money and I don't want to do that unless we have a good idea what it is. And we know for definite that we want to purchase the house.
I live in NC, where propane tanks are allowed.
7 Answers
- ?Lv 51 decade agoFavorite Answer
here in florida at our area anyways all the propane tanks are buried in the ground,you should see a lid about 30 inches round over where it is filled .
- JaneMLv 61 decade ago
rachael, anyone in the us can buy an underground propane tank and have it installed. within legal parameters of course. i filled a 500 gallon one last week. years ago tanks were buried because the gas that was being sold was butane not propane. butane will freeze around 30 degrees so that is why the tanks were buried. propane freezes at minus 44 degrees and most of the country never gets that cold so the tanks are above ground. burying tanks now is usually for space and cosmetic conditions. the rods are probably for some other reason and not for a tank or to mark a tank. there are thousands of old abandoned butane tanks all over the us. some people fill them with water or sand. there should not be any pollution associated with a buried tank as the gas is a liquid and eventually vaporises leaving no trace. you can always put a stipulation in your contract concerning the tank issue and i would if possible because a buried oil tank is a completely different story. you are obviously concerned so i would follow up on this matter with the real estate agent. that's their job, to represent you.
- Robert FLv 71 decade ago
Here in Texas anyway , you cannot have an underground Propane tank but above ground is OK in most areas
The rods could be marking a septic tank .
at 2'x3.5' it is small for either
There would need to be a fill valve access and vent that goes several feet into the air (here the vent must be 8 ft or more)
If possible get in tough with the previous owners and ask what they are for .
- TomcatLv 61 decade ago
Oil tanks have been put underground but not propane tanks. The hollow metal rods may be iron pipe legs that a oil tank set on.
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- William BLv 71 decade ago
your Agent is a NUT
they don,t put Propane tanks under ground,
1941 propane wasn't, in use then for home heating,
it was Fuel oil and yes they put those in the ground,
But the rods that have been cut off is where a tank WAS, above ground,
common sense will tell you that,
Source(s): old timer /maint man - Anonymous7 years ago
It is probably were an above ground tank sat. Have the real estate agent ask the previous owner.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
i can tell you this.if you happen to find an underground tank on your property,make it disappear without notifying anyone,unless you dont mind paying for someone elses mistake.
