Discovering that a property has or had an underground storage tank (UST) can make a real estate agent feel uneasy. And that’s understandable since the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strictly enforces rules and regulations concerning USTs due to the threat of groundwater contamination and risks to the health of those living nearby.
A property with a well-maintained UST will be far more attractive to a buyer and will make the lending process move smoothly because it requires less intervention from regulatory authorities.
What is a Regulated UST?
Step one in understanding how a UST might impact a real estate transaction is knowing what qualifies as a regulated UST.
The tank must contain a regulated substance, such as a hazardous substance or petroleum. At least 10 percent of the tank must be underground. Tanks that are undergoing corrective action are called leaking underground storage tanks (LUST) and you might want to consider how that might impact your buyer.
Regulations are in place to ensure that tanks older than 1988 are upgraded to prevent spills and corrosion or closed. Those who own a property with a regulated UST on-site must monitor it for leaks both from the tank and from its piping.
UST Detection
Property information and disclosures might not state that there is a UST on-site if it is old and abandoned. You can’t tell that there’s a UST on a property just by looking at the property with the naked eye.
A challenge that real estate buyers and sellers face is that land can be repurposed. For example, many fast-food restaurants sit where gas stations used to be. And even if the disclosure states that there’s an old drum on the property, you might not know where it is located specifically, which poses risks for building projects or even residential landscaping.
The only way to know for certain whether a property has a UST or not is to work with a UST locating service. ACS Underground Solutions uses Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and can tell you the exact location, size, depth and position of underground storage tanks.
Before finalizing a real estate transaction, buyers ask us to complete UST location services to ensure they don’t end up with a regulated UST on site that they don’t know about or that they don’t want the responsibility of monitoring and maintaining.
It doesn’t matter whether the UST is plastic, steel or fiberglass, our locating service helps you find it.
Benefits of UST Location Services for Realtors and Buyers/Sellers
Surprises in a real estate transaction are no fun, regardless of whether the transaction is for commercial, government or residential use. Here’s a look at the main benefits of UST location services during a real estate transaction.
- Affordable, fast service that helps you move through the real estate transaction smoothly and without delays
- Cost savings to eliminate guesswork when excavating or removing the UST
- Time savings from exploratory digging and excavation work that could harm your property more than necessary and lead to the need for more groundwork after locating or removing the tank
- Know the actual cost of property maintenance, including UST monitoring and maintenance
Schedule your UST location service with ACS Underground Solutions now by calling 203-544-7190 or contacting us. We operate 24/7 to serve you!
Underground Storage Tank (UST) locating
ACS Underground Solutions is private family owned consulting company with decades of experience and expertise in Water Line Leak Detection, Underground Utility Locating with GPR, Underground Storage Tank Locating, Concrete Imaging & Scanning, Drain Pipe Inspections and Infrared Thermal Imaging Services. Additionally we can locate Underground Storage Tanks, perform Concrete Imaging & Scanning with Ground Penetrating Radar, Video Pipe Inspections of Drain Lines and Sewer Lines and Thermal Imaging Services. ACS Underground Solutions serves Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Looking for Underground Storage Tank (UST) locating company? CALL US TODAY AT 203-544-7190.