What Happened
An elderly customer found a oil leak from boiler in Dungannon when they checked their boiler after noticing a hydrocarbon odour in their home.
A leak had started at the boiler fittings and the floor of the boiler house was stained and had a wet appearance.
The lady contacted Gaea for advice and we tried to talk her though isolating the oil supply to prevent further loss.
As we weren’t far away we offered to call in and turn the oil supply off for her.
Investigation
While at the property we shut off the isolation valve at the tank and tightened up the fittings at the boiler.
The customer asked if we would stay and check if there was any damage and could anything be done about the odours.
Our investigation confirmed the plume area to be fairly small, but it was causing a fairly strong odour in the customers home.
We spoke with the customers insurance company and explained what was going on. Authority was given to proceed and install a vapour extraction unit to bring the air quality back to a normal range.
what we found
- The boiler house floor was saturated with home heating oil.
- Since the boiler was very close to the dwelling foundations the excess vapours were venting into the home via the void space below the floors, especially when the heating was on.
Remedial works
- The boiler was relocated to the customers patio where it was reconnected for the duration of the works.
- The boiler room concrete floor was then broken out and disposed of.
- The underlying contaminated fills were excavated by hand down to foundation level.
- Further investigation revealed that some of the block work of the home was grossly contaminated. Additional costing were submitted and permission granted to proceed with any necessary block replacement.
Validation
- Three soil samples were collected from the small work area.
- Along with two block samples to show that sufficient masonry had been replaced.
- One internal ambient air quality sample
Reinstatement
The small excavation was backfilled and compacted.
A new concrete floor was installed for the boiler house.
Once the floor had set the boiler was relocated to its original location where it was commissioned.
Turn around - savings
- Original emergency attendance within 20 mins
- Survey conducted and VEU installed in the same visit.
- Report sent to insurers two days later.
- Once fully approved the works were started within five days.
- The work was completed within seven days.
- The customer had a full tank of oil and if the leak had not been stopped as fast as it was the entire home could have required remediation at a potential cost of £60-£70k.
If you suspect that you have an oil spill or are at risk of one please get in contact ASAP.
The sooner you can get the leak stopped, contained and assessed the smaller job it will be. Contact Gaea directly on 08000 541 361 or 012330222 for ROI
