The Hidden Liability of Historic Properties
Colorado is booming, and real estate developers are constantly repurposing older commercial lots, historic downtown buildings, and mid-century residential neighborhoods. But buying an older property comes with a unique set of hidden risks—chief among them being abandoned Underground Storage Tanks (USTs).
Decades ago, before the expansion of modern natural gas lines, it was standard practice to bury massive steel or fiberglass tanks underground to hold heating oil, gasoline, or diesel. When properties changed hands or heating methods evolved, many of these tanks were simply left in the ground and forgotten.
The Massive Cost of a Leaking UST
If you purchase a property with an abandoned UST, you also purchase the liability that comes with it. Over time, buried steel tanks corrode and rust. If an old oil or fuel tank begins to leak into the surrounding Colorado soil and groundwater, the consequences are severe:
- Environmental Disaster: Contaminated groundwater requires massive, highly regulated cleanup efforts.
- EPA and State Fines: Property owners can face exorbitant fines from environmental protection agencies if a leak is discovered.
- Plummeting Property Value: A contaminated site cannot be developed or resold until the area is fully remediated.
- Construction Delays: Discovering a tank mid-excavation will instantly halt your project while environmental hazard teams are brought in.
Why Old Records Aren’t Enough
During the due diligence phase of a real estate transaction (often during a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment), consultants will look at historical fire insurance maps and old city records to see if a gas station or heating oil tank ever existed on the property.
However, old records are notoriously inaccurate. Tanks were often installed off-the-books, or the records were lost decades ago. Furthermore, just because a record says a tank was “removed” in 1980 doesn’t mean the contractor actually dug it up; they may have simply filled it with sand and left it there.
Using GPR to Find Hidden Tanks
To truly protect your investment, you need physical confirmation of what is beneath the soil. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is the gold standard for locating underground storage tanks.
At JLP Tech, our advanced GPR equipment can quickly and non-destructively sweep a property to detect large subsurface anomalies.
How It Works:
- Grid Scanning: Our technicians push the GPR antenna over the suspect area in a precise grid pattern.
- Identifying the Signature: A large, buried tank creates a very distinct, massive hyperbolic reflection on our radar screens.
- Detecting Associated Pipes: Even if the tank was successfully removed, the original contractor often leaves the metal vent and fill pipes behind. If our GPR or Electromagnetic (EM) locators trace these old pipes, they often lead directly to a forgotten tank.
- Mapping the Boundaries: Once located, we mark the exact dimensions and depth of the tank on the surface, allowing environmental teams to safely excavate and remove the hazard.
Secure Your Real Estate Investment
Before you close on an older commercial property or begin excavating a historic residential lot in Colorado, ensure the ground is clear of environmental liabilities.
Contact JLP Tech to schedule a comprehensive GPR tank sweep. Our precise utility locating and concrete imaging services provide the definitive data you need to buy and build with confidence.