Soilutions

We'll clean it up: 0800 0209 307

  • Home
  • Services
    • Soil Remediation
      • Soil Disposal
      • Bioremediation
      • Soil Chemical Oxidation
      • Stabilisation
      • Thermal Desorption
      • Soil Washing
      • Engineered Solutions
    • Groundwater Remediation
      • Pump & Treat
      • Extraction & Disposal
      • Groundwater Chemical Treatment
      • Air Sparging
      • Vapour Extraction
    • Oil Spill Response Services
      • 24/7 Emergency Spill Response
      • Spill Assessment and Clean-up
      • Oil spill clean up guide
      • Equipment Supply and Hire
      • Spill Response Training
    • Environmental Consultancy
      • Phase 1 – Land Contamination Assessment
      • Phase 2 – Intrusive Ground Investigations and Quantitative Risk Assessment
      • Remedial Options Appraisal
    • Invasive Weeds Solutions
      • Japanese Knotweed
      • Giant Hogweed
      • Rhododendron Ponticum
      • Himalayan Balsam
      • Herbicide Treatment
      • Excavation & On-site treatment
      • Off-site disposal
    • Nuclear Decommissioning
    • Mobile Orchards
  • About Us
    • People
    • Careers
    • Industry links
    • Performance
      • Safety
      • Quality
      • Environment
    • Awards
  • Case Studies
  • Resources
  • Media
  • Blog
  • Contact us

Soilutions

Specialists in the remediation of contaminated soils and groundwaters

You are here: Home / Guides / Stopping an oil leak

Stopping an oil leak

Part of our thorough Oil Spill Clean Up Guide. Click the link to get answers to your Oil Spill questions.

This applies to domestic and commercial leaks, and most of it is common sense.

The first thing for you to think about, “is it safe”? If there is a fire risk, or for example the vapours are overwhelming, then stay safe, keep clear and call the fire brigade.

Here are a few quick fixes which may help reduce the damage caused-

  • Turn off the source- Find the tank, find the outlet(s), all should be fitted with a stop tap, twist the tap until it closes and stops the flow.  If possible collect the oil in any available containers e.g. bins, or restrict the movement of the oil as best and safely as possible.
  • The tank is leaking- Transfer oil in to a suitable container to below the level of the leak.
  • Repair the leak temporarily (or permanently if you’re skilled enough) Soap is often the best answer, especially for oil tanks. Jam solid soap into the crack, best applied like you would grate cheese, push the soap across the crack forcing soap to block the gap and stop the leak.  You’re not limited to just soap, anything that can be forced into the crack and stop or reduce the leak is beneficial.

A final tip, absorbing spilt oil can be done with cat litter, sawdust, sand, etc. Don’t dispose of this contaminated material into your domestic refuse bin though. The used absorbent needs to be treated as hazardous waste and disposed at a suitably licensed facility.

Oil Spill Guide

Guide to oil spill preparedness and response

This free guide will help you understand the whats, the whys and the hows of oil spill preparedness and response in the simplest terms. Download it now for free!

Download!

Free advice

We're always happy to speak to you about any issues you may have. Just pick up the phone!

+44 131 538 8456

Free eBooks!

We have six free ebooks on Soil Remediation, Waste Classification, Oil Spills and Invasive Weeds. Everything you ever wanted to know about these subjects but were too afraid to ask!

Soilutions ebooks

Download them!

The Soil Remediation Blog

  • Scotland’s (Non) Circular Economy Strategy March 28, 2016
  • World War I ordnance may be contaminating food March 28, 2016
  • Landfill tax rates as of 1st April 2016 March 3, 2016
  • Flood water damage to oil fired heating systems January 19, 2016
  • What’s the point in Paragraph 19 Exempt sites…? November 20, 2015

Follow us on Twitter

Follow @soilutions

All the latest news and interesting content!

Tweets by @soilutions

Quick links

  • Contact us
  • Groundwater Remediation
  • Invasive Weeds Solutions
  • Oil Spill Response Services
  • Remedial Options Appraisal
  • Soil Remediation

Resources

Technical White Papers available for download:
Guide to Oil Spill Response
Guide to Soil Remediation
Guide to Waste Classification
Guide to Giant Hogweed Removal
Guide to Japanese Knotweed Removal
Guide to Rhododendron Removal

From the blog

  • Scotland’s (Non) Circular Economy Strategy March 28, 2016
  • World War I ordnance may be contaminating food March 28, 2016
  • Landfill tax rates as of 1st April 2016 March 3, 2016

Copyright © 2003 - 2018 Soilutions Ltd. · Privacy Policy · Terms & Conditions