Why it matters
A buried tank that leaks contaminates soil and sometimes groundwater. Cleanup is the owner’s responsibility under New Jersey rules, and remediation can be expensive. Lenders and insurers increasingly ask about tanks before closing. Finding one before you buy turns a problem into a negotiation.
A standard oil tank sweep is $199. Ask our team which checks are right for your property.
What a sweep is
- A trained inspector scans the yard, driveway and foundation perimeter with metal-detection equipment tuned for buried steel tanks.
- We look for the tell-tale signs too: fill and vent pipes, cut lines in the basement, patched areas of the foundation wall.
- If the sweep is inconclusive, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) may help investigate further. We’ll discuss whether it suits the property.
- You get a written result with photos and, if something is found, its location.
What is ground-penetrating radar (GPR)?
GPR is a way to investigate what’s below the surface without digging. A scanner sends radio pulses into the ground and records the signals that bounce back. A trained operator interprets those patterns to look for buried objects, including possible tanks, and estimate their location and depth.
- How it differs from a tank sweep. A standard sweep uses metal detection to look for buried steel. GPR adds information about underground shapes and changes in materials, helping us investigate a suspicious area in more detail.
- When it helps. If the initial sweep leaves an unanswered question, we can discuss whether a radar scan would help clarify the finding. GPR is a separate service, starting at $300.
- What it can’t confirm. Radar patterns aren’t photographs. Clay-rich or wet, conductive soils, depth and obstructions can limit the scan. GPR cannot guarantee that no tank exists, or tell you whether a tank has leaked; suspected contamination needs environmental testing.
Not sure which service you need? Start with a tank sweep and talk with us about any findings. We’ll explain whether GPR would be a useful next step. Ask about a GPR scan →
How the technology works: EPA guide to ground-penetrating radar ↗︎
If a tank is found
We explain the options: a soil test to check for leaks, removal by a licensed contractor, or closure in place where the town allows it. Ask for the closure paperwork on any house where a tank was previously removed; the permit history in your Smart Start report often shows it.