Your propane tank is an essential part of your home propane system. But, if you want it to continue working safely and efficiently, you’re going to need to know a thing or two about proper propane tank maintenance.
From professional inspections to maintenance tasks that you should be doing yourself, there’s a lot that you need to know to keep your propane tank in tip-top shape. So, just why is propane tank maintenance so important in the first place, and what should Chester County homeowners be doing to ensure that they take good care of their tanks?
The Importance of Regular Propane Tank Maintenance
Routine maintenance is an essential part of taking care of any part of your home, and your propane tank is no different. However, when it comes to propane tanks, it’s important to understand that the stakes are a bit higher than normal.
Propane is, of course, a flammable gas that displaces oxygen in the air, so if something goes wrong with your tank, there could be dire consequences. Common issues like corrosion, shifting, and general wear and tear and damage can lead to leaks and malfunctions that can turn any normal day into an extremely dangerous situation.
At the end of the day, propane tanks are generally very safe. But, if you want to avoid costly leaks and other hazardous situations, it’s crucial to make sure that your tank is well maintained all year round.
Tips for Proper Propane Tank Care
As you can see, proper propane tank maintenance is essential to your system’s safety and efficiency. But, if you’re new to the world of propane, you may not know much about how to properly take care of your tank.
So, if you’re a Chester County propane consumer who wants to make sure their propane tank gets all the maintenance and care it needs, here are some propane maintenance tips that you can use to do just that.
Schedule Regular Propane Tank Maintenance and Inspections with a Professional Propane Service Company
The best and most important thing that you can do for your propane tank is to contact a professional propane service company and schedule regular inspections and routine maintenance. While there are certainly plenty of maintenance tasks that you can do yourself, professional propane technicians know the ins and outs of every part of your tank and can provide a much more thorough inspection than you ever could by yourself.
From taking care of all the smallest valves and fittings to performing all the general maintenance tasks that ensure your tank lasts for years to come, you should make sure that you schedule a professional propane maintenance checkup at least once or twice a year.
Keep Your Propane Tank Full
While keeping your propane tank full may seem like a no-brainer for anyone who wants to continue heating their home and using their propane appliances, it’s also important for the health of your tank.
Propane is a gas in its natural state, but to store it like this, you’d need a tank much larger than the size of your home. For this reason, every propane tank is designed to be pressurized so that it can store propane as a liquid. However, the pressure inside your tank can fluctuate drastically depending on how much propane is inside it.
If your tank level is low for too long, the lower pressures could cause increased wear and tear on your tank, so it’s always a good idea to make sure that you receive regular deliveries to help the longevity of your tank.
Clean the Surface of Your Propane Tank
Unless your tank is buried underground, dust and dirt, among many others, will build up on the surface of your tank as it is exposed to the elements over time. This may not seem like a big deal, but all this grime build-up can cause increased oxidation and corrosion that can pose a real threat if left on your tank for too long.
You do not need to keep your propane tank spotless, but it’s still a good idea to clean the surface of your tank with soap and water when it becomes too dirty at least once or twice a year.
Check for Hissing Sounds and Rotten Smells
One of the most important things that propane consumers need to be vigilant about is leaks. Whether it’s a loose fitting or damage to the tank itself, propane leaks aren’t just costly. They can also be incredibly dangerous.
Every propane consumer should always be on the lookout for any hissing sounds or unpleasant rotten smells coming from their tank. If you do suspect a leak, it’s important to call 911 and your propane servicer so that they can assess the situation right away.
Perform Regular Visual Inspections
One of the easiest ways to ensure that you take good care of your propane tank is to perform regular visual inspections. These inspections don’t need to be overly meticulous, and problems like rust, cracks, and tank shifting are easy to identify, even without training.
It’s always best to catch a problem early, and performing regular visual inspections ensures that you can address any problems before they cause serious problems.
Contact MAZ Propane Today
Are you looking for a company that you can trust to provide the high-quality propane services you need? Give MAZ Propane a call. Their team of propane experts is always there to answer questions and will happily tell you more about how they can meet your propane-related needs. They even provide free estimates to new customers. So, don’t trust your system with anyone but the best propane service company in Chester County. Contact MAZ Propane today!