The primary purpose of a tank inspection is to determine if the tank leaked. For most residential tanks, we use a hand auger to collect soil samples from near the bottom of the tank.  The soil samples are then analyzed for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) using QED analysis.

Note: There is a chance to miss the detection of a leak by soil boring’s since one may have collected samples where the leak did not occur. The only way to be certain the UST did not leak is to remove the UST and directly inspect the soil beneath the UST.

Commercial tanks are generally covered by concrete and inspecting these tanks are more complicated and costly to conduct.