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danheskett2022 t1_iylk1go wrote

Safety of the tank is no joke, and switching providers, they are more or less required to do a safety inspection. Can you tell me who was your old provider, and who your new one was? A tank replacement is hefty expense, but several of the larger providers have good options for financing which can help you spread the cost at least over some time.

Additionally, it's not impossible to repair a tank that will eventually need to be repaired. If there are rust spots, you can empty the tank, sand out the rust, patch the area, and then continue using the tank. What exactly did they say were the problems?

Finally, if you do have to do a replacement, aggressively shop the replacement around. $3k is a fair price, but you can possibly find someone to do it for less. Call around, and just tell them your best price and ask what the cost is for a replacement. Also, you may be able to find a tech willing to do the replacement if you provide the tank, and it's acceptable to source your own used tank.

There are other, slightly less reputable means you can use to extend the life of your existing tank. Be creative, you might be able to think of them on your own.

Worst case scenario, if you can't replace the tank this winter, look at space heaters, pellet/wood stoves, and electric heat to supplement. Long-term it will be more expensive but it can help you delay the expense of the replacement till later when you can afford it better.

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layoxx OP t1_iylkt40 wrote

Thank you. I was present for the inspection and though I wasn't able to clock the issues without an expert I fully agree with the expert that the tank is beyond the point of repair and unsafe. The thing is rusty, there was a leak, it's tilted and being propped up instead of resting flat on the landing (presumably to help with the tilting). The leak alone is cause for major concern. I guess if it's possible to repair or replace the leaking part it can be saved

We used to use MW seawall and we swapped to dead river.

Thank you for the advice

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danheskett2022 t1_iyllisg wrote

Dead River is a really good choice for a long-term relationship. They are based in Maine and have been for a long-time. They are a little more expensive on delivery, but they have excellent service and will take care of you for the long-term.

I also think they offer good installation payment plans. If they didn't give you info on that, I would reach out and ask about it.

It is often possible to repair a rusty thank, but basically, you need to have space and ability to do it. There are a lot of YouTube videos on how, but basically, you have to drain the tank into something that can hold your remaining oil (~50 gallons it sounds like, so not nothing), then disconnect it from the system, rinse the inside and safely dispose of the residue so there aren't fumes, and then clean the area, sand out the rust, apply a rust coating, and then have it re-inspected, then re-installed flat.

The installers and inspectors from major dealers are typically very honest and if the Dead River tech told you it's a goner, he's probably right.

For next winter, in the spring, contact Dead River about going on a budget program. You can lock in a price that has downside protection (i.e. you get a good price lock at off-season prices, but if during next heating season the price drops, you still get the lower price). They'll take your expected usage, divide it into 10 payments, and then you'll pay that from like the summer through the next spring. You can go over your expected usage a certain amount and they'll bill you at the end of the season. This can really help you plan and normalize your expenses and avoid big $1k chunks coming due when you least expect it (i.e. Christmas time).

Good luck.

PS: If you are feeling DIY, the basics of an installation aren't intense, and you can find used tanks of Craigslist in Maine for well under $500. Do your own visual inspection for rust, read up on the connections and the equipment you need for the connections, rent a truck, get a friend(s) to help bring it down the bulk head, and go for it. Double check for sure, but I am pretty sure you do not need to be licensed to do an oil tank installation as long it's inspected by a tech before use.

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ecco-domenica t1_iymiil2 wrote

Just FYI, Dead River is now owned by a private equity firm in Maryland. I've been a Dead River customer for over 10 years for the reliability and good service you described, but just had a very bad experience with them (after spending $3K for a new Rinnai purchased from & installed by them) and will be switching to a small local company in the spring.

They "lost" half their techs over the summer (unknown if they got laid off by the PE firm or quit, either way not good), scheduling someone to simply level my tilting tank has been a nightmare that's been dragged out since Dec 21 and is still not resolved, and the customer service people out of Scarborough that I have to deal with now are sarcastic and nasty unlike the local people that were always helpful and nice.

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MaineGal2022 t1_iymv98v wrote

Thanks for this information which I didn't know. I am also a long-term Dead River customer and I also have felt like there was a change but I didn't know why. For years, the tech who came to my house was Rick. When I called for my annual service appointment, I made a comment about Rick and the woman snapped at me, "We don't have anyone working here named Rick. I don't know what you are talking about." Really? Maybe it is time for a change.

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ecco-domenica t1_iyvr7zb wrote

When a customer service person shows that kind of attitude, it's because that's the attitude that's coming from above. It'll permeate the culture and is hard to get rid of once it's there. Every local tech, driver & office person other than these two service managers has been wonderful and obviously hardworking. The driver practically runs when making a delivery but still has a smile when he hands me the bill. That's something that's not just one individual; it's a company culture that won't last if people at the top don't demonstrate it themselves.

One small example of this is at my local Hannaford, the bagging is terrible. The cashiers are polite and otherwise competent but they don't know how to put groceries in a bag. Stuff is thrown in & jumbled up willy nilly. It's been this way for years. The next town over, they're all bagging experts, even the kids. Each item is perfectly placed with speedy precision. The bagging culture is ingrained at each store. It's been taught and handed down from one generation of cashiers to the next and it shows.

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layoxx OP t1_iym9utv wrote

My partner is very DIY focused, he's done a ton of the house repairs already so this is a good option for us. Thank you!

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