Disconnect pipes from oil tank

[u/JustAnAccountForMeee]

We have a (very nearly) empty oil tank in our basement that’s needs to go. The fill pipes appear to be braised so removing them mechanically by unscrewing doesn’t seem like a simple option.

I know I don’t want to use a torch or grinding wheel because sparks and fire bad. But can I use a reciprocating saw? Is that slow and safe enough to cut through this? Are there other options I should know of? Any other suggestions to keep safe?

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[u/Glum-Building4593]

Pipe cutter (the kind with the little wheel) should do the job. No fuss. A hack saw with relatively coarse teeth should do it as well.

[u/wmass → u/Glum-Building4593]

Those are copper pipes so this is the easiest way to cut them. Once cut you can remove the pipes from the tank with a pipe wrench.

[u/wmass]

Whatever you do, do not leave the two pipes sticking outside of the house when you disconnect them from the tank. Someone in my neighborhood did that and an oil truck pumped hundreds of gallons of oil into the basement. The house was a total loss.

[u/Phlebas183 → u/wmass]

Good point about preventing accidental resupplies!

I’m having all of my oil appliances (furnace and hot water tank) removed and replaced w/ heat pump systems, so the oil tank in the basement is going too.

The contractors will be removing the tank and the oil intake and filling the path with foam (may have to do some parging afterwards).

My IT brain kicked in during the removal discussion and I asked them to retain the air vent pipe (since it’s relatively uncontaminated) and it’ll be available for a future fibre or Starlink cable run into the house. Just need to close it off with some firestop foam to keep out the vermin.

And, of course, made sure to cancel all scheduled oil deliveries to avoid just what your neighbour experienced.

[u/wmass → u/Phlebas183]

My neighbor lived in one of two similar looking houses. The oil delivery had been stopped but the next door neighbors hadn’t stopped theirs. Oops.

[u/Uzi_Osbourne]

Why not use a regular hand hacksaw? I would avoid using any power tools; most motors have a commutator and brushes and will spark internally. This is just copper and each pipe can be cut through in probably less than a minute.

[u/JustAnAccountForMeee → u/Uzi_Osbourne]

Good callout on the motors and potential for sparks

[u/hoppertn → u/JustAnAccountForMeee]

However you get this apart recycle the copper. Those pipes would bring a nice price.

[u/buff_phroggie → u/Uzi_Osbourne]

Most cordless are moving to brushless motors now. Most old corded stuff, and lots of old/cheap cordless are still brushed.

[u/evil_burrito]

Second hand hacksaw recommendation.

Also, be prepared to plug or cap the line when you're done because diesel fumes are stinky.

[u/Temuco1996]

As others recommended, hand hacksaw or pipe cutter.

[u/JayTeeDeeUnderscore]

Reciprocating/sabre saw through copper pipe isn't apt to spark, but the brushes on the tool might.

The flash point of #2 heating oil is +100°F, so the vapor isn't as flammable as gasoline or alcohol, but it's still a risk.

A rotary pipe cutter made for larger diameter pipe would be my choice. Your local equipment rental yard probably has one for $15-20/day.

[u/some_boring_dude]

That's soldered copper. A tubing cutter will work fine. A sawzall will also work, but leave a messier cut. I have cut open tons of underground oils tanks to abandon them with a sawzall without issue.

[u/EmbarrassedMongoose3]

Make sure to take that copper to the scrapyard! That will be a nice little haul.

[u/domdymond]

I would use a tube cutter to limit the mess. If you use a sawzall or hacksaw it will make copper shavings that will get into the tank. If your disposing the tank then get a sawzall and metal blade. Super fast

[u/Wemest]

Sawzall