
Published on 8 January 2025
Should You Get Your Oil Tank Cleaning Done Today?
This article offers a comprehensive understanding of industrial oil tank cleaning. Should your tank be cleaned now, or later? Read on to learn more in this article.
Key Takeaways
- It’s important to regularly clean your oil tank. It prevents the buildup of oil sludge, which can damage the performance and efficiency of your industrial operations.
- We’re going to discuss how sludge forms and how to identify the early signs of when sludge starts to build up.
- Systematic cleaning involves a methodical step-by-step process: draining, scrubbing, and refilling to make sure contaminants are gone.
- Cleaning according to safety measures is critical to prevent hazards and maintain a safe work environment.
- You can avoid the formation of future sludge through regular inspections and the use of additives. These proactive strategies will extend the life of your oil tank.
- Knowing when to call for oil tank servicing will save you from expensive repairs and keep your operations running effectively.
Do you ever wonder why your industrial oil tank feels less efficient? You need to schedule an oil tank cleaning right away! Ignoring it leads to sludge build-up, safety risks, and costly repairs.
We’ll take you step-by-step through the process, showing how regular oil tank cleaning boosts performance and extends the life of your industrial tanks, pipelines, and machinery.
We ensure the safety, efficiency, and reliable operation of your oil tank. Willing to know more and how we can keep your facility running smoothly? Let’s go!
Understanding Oil Sludge
The term ‘oil sludge’ describes the thick, unpleasant buildup found at the bottom of your oil tank. This sludge is a combination of oil, water, dirt, and other debris. However, it all ends up in the tank, potentially damaging your assets connected to the oil tank.
The sludge could decrease the efficiency of your machinery, leading to potential damage to the machine and your industrial tank. The problem occurs in cold weather or when your tank is left half-empty for a long while. That is why it’s so important to keep a careful watch on your oil levels.
What causes oil sludge in industrial tanks?
Sludge in your oil tank comes from a variety of sources. Moisture is a big factor; when water gets in the tank, it mixes with the oil and creates a breeding ground for bacteria. This is particularly true if your tank sits empty for a while.
Debris and other contaminants can also sneak in, adding to the sludge problem. This happens with the quality of the oil being pumped into your tank during fill ups.
Additionally, temperature changes play a significant role. When oil gets warm, it can hold more water. As it cools, the water condenses and sinks to the bottom, resulting in sludge formation.
If you’re storing oil for a long time, the quality can drop, making sludge formation even more likely.
Why is sludge a concern in industrial oil tanks?
Sludge may seem like no big thing initially, but it can lead to some serious headaches. First of all, it can clog up your tank and associated pipework, causing your other connected assets to reduce efficiency. This translates to bigger energy bills for you.
Moreover, if left unchecked, sludge can cause leaks or even full-on system failures, which could become safety hazards. Over time, ignoring sludge can result in long-term damage to your tank and equipment — and nobody wants that.
You can avoid these issues by having your oil tank cleaned every year. Ensuring the tank stays filled up throughout the year helps prevent water from entering and mixing with the oil.
Though dispersed treatments can help remove sludge, professional cleaning is sometimes needed for thorough tank cleaning.
How Can KpH Environmental Help?
This is where we, at KpH Environmental, come in. With over twenty years of experience, we know how to clean oil tanks and keep them from becoming a problem. Our trained team meets the highest standards for safety, so you know your industrial oil tank is in an excellent condition.
We follow all the required industry regulations, allowing you to rest easy knowing you’re getting a service that’s safe. Whether it’s cleaning, removing, or decommissioning the tanks, we have you covered. Our full service means we do it all, so you don’t have to think about it!

Importance of Oil Tank Cleaning
If you’re wondering how to keep your oil tanks in good condition, cleaning should never be an option, but a top priority. Think of it like this: when you clean the tank often, you’re making sure everything runs better. Less sludge and debris means smoother operations. Clean tanks prevent dirt or water from damaging the tank and its associated piping.
Clean oil means your machinery works like a charm and spares you the headaches down the road.
Then there’s the site of the facility to consider, too. Sludge and debris in your tank increase the risk of an oil spill from blocked pipes and cracks from rust. When an oil spill occurs, part of your facility would be prone to closure until the contaminated land is certified as fit for usage again.
Regular cleaning helps you keep a safe environment across your industrial site. Keeping tanks tidy means you are adhering to the rules set forth by industry guidelines, which we all know are very important.
Enhance Safety and Longevity
Regular tank cleaning isn’t just about keeping things neat. It’s a piece of safety. Clear out the debris and sludge to minimise the risk of leaks and spills. Doing so helps get rid of this major hazard.
The Environment Agency isn’t forgiving if oil leaks into soil or groundwater, so staying on top of maintenance is key. Not only safety—clean tanks mean your investment in assets lasts longer. With preventative steps, you can sidestep those unexpected, costly repair or replacement costs.
The idea is that simple, regular maintenance keeps everything running smoothly and safely.
Improve Efficiency and Performance
Now, let’s explore how clean tanks can help you run more efficiently. When there’s no sludge slowing things down, oil flows better; it means the facility runs at its best. That means less oil is used and more efficiency is guaranteed from your machineries at your industrial site.
Plus, when oil quality is high, the whole system benefits. You now get more accurate readings on your oil levels. No more guesswork, and a much better setup!
Prevent Costly Repairs
Skipping tank cleaning can lead to costly problems. Imagine it’s like the snowball effect — small problems go unnoticed and become big, and then it costs a ton to fix. Frequent cleanings allow you to notice trouble early.
This type of check-up can save you money by preventing larger emergencies from happening. Clean tanks and equipment last longer, meaning fewer replacements are needed and more money is saved.
Not sure whether your tank needs cleaning?
Schedule our oil tank inspection service. Our experts will evaluate your tank’s cleanliness and functionality.
Safe Oil Tank Cleaning Process
Clean aboveground and underground oil tanks are vital for optimal function and longevity.
Never attempt to clean your industrial tank by yourself. For a better outcome, consider hiring a qualified environmental contractor like KpH Environmental to take care of this for you.
Here’s our oil tank cleaning process, in two simple steps:
- Bulk oil removal
- Oil tank cleaning
1. Bulk oil removal
Wearing 5-point PPE and using a gas monitor (detecting CO, flammable gases – LELs, H2S, and O2), a KpH Operative will open the inspection cap on the man lid to check the oil level.
After this, the operatives at your site will use a vacuum tanker to pump the clean oil from the tank’s bottom outlet onto the tanker using a tanker hose. Upon reaching full capacity, the tanker will stop pumping and its outlet valve will be shut.
Further, the operatives will detach the hose from the tanker and have it departed from the location.
This process will proceed until all the clean oil has been drained to the bottom.

2. Oil Tank Cleaning
After the oil tank is completely drained, our on-site operatives will clean the tank and remove any sludge or residual materials from the tank room.
Preparing for Cleaning:
The Operatives start by setting up for the cleaning process. A tanker hose is run from the cleaning tanker down to the tank room. If it’s possible, the bottom drain valve and hose are connected. Once secured, the valve is opened, marking the commencement of the cleaning.
Accessing the Tank:
Using hand tools, Operatives remove the man lid to confirm that the tank contents have reached the bottom. The tank will be allowed to naturally air vent until the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) reading remains below 10% and oxygen (O2) readings are within the range of 19% to 23%. Following documented initial readings, entry permits are issued.

Flushing Pipe Work:
The delivery and feed pipes are completely flushed with water, then the water is removed by tanker. This step confirms that all pathways are clear and free of residue.
Entering the Tank:
Entry into a tank from the top requires a confined space permit only when the oil level is sufficiently low. An Operative equipped with a filter mask or breathing apparatus (BA), chemical suit, nitrile gloves, steel-toecap wellies, and a harness with a rescue line enters the tank via the side access. Non-metallic tools, such as plastic shovels and squeegees, are used to manually clean the tank, utilising the tanker hose to uplift sludge and residual products.

Monitoring Safety Levels:
Safety is the top priority throughout the process. Should the LEL concentrations exceed 10%, all operatives are removed, and ventilation is resumed until vapour concentrations consistently remain below this threshold, allowing safe re-entry.
Final Flushing and Cleaning:
The tanker’s hose drains and flushes all associated pipework, eliminating any remaining oil or water. This final step ensures the tank and its components are thoroughly cleaned and safe for continued use.
Following the cleaning, a gas-free certificate is issued before clean oil is pumped from our vacuum tankers to your tank using a hose.
How To Prevent Future Sludge Formation?
When it comes to oil tank maintenance, stopping sludge before it forms is key. Here’s how you can do it:
- Keep tanks full, especially off-season, to prevent condensation.
- Organise professional inspections once per year.
- Understand how sludge forms and the conditions it thrives in.
Schedule Timely Refills
Keeping your tank filled up, especially during colder months, is smart. When you have a low fuel level, the air in the tank allows moisture in, and that can help speed up the sludge formation.
Set reminders for refills and track how much oil you use to indicate when refilling is due. It’s simple but effective — a full tank means less room for sludge to start.
Conduct Annual Inspections
Yearly inspections catch problems early. A good look at your oil tank can identify issues that could cost more to fix later.
Look for signs of rust, leaks, or sludge. Choosing the right professional is part of the job; they need to be knowledgeable and trustworthy, which is important for effective maintenance.
Choose High-Quality Oil Suppliers
The quality of the oil you use determines sludge build-up. Better oil equals fewer impurities, so only trust reputable suppliers.
Check their reliability and ask around. Develop a good relationship with your supplier; they’ll get to know what you need and when.
Maintain Full Tank in Off-Season
It helps to keep your tank full, even when you don’t need it much. This practice reduces the condensation that causes sludge.
Less moisture means less opportunity for sludge to form. Monitor your tank level year-round. Even in low-use times, making sure it’s not empty is a good habit.