Propane Tank Installation Tips

SWVA Gas Service Can Handle All Your Propane Needs!

How many times have you replaced the portable propane tank on your grill? Truth be told, it’s not too hard to do. Make sure the gas is off, disconnect the empty tank, and connect the new one.

On the other hand, replacing or installing a full-size propane tank that holds a couple of hundred gallons is no DIY project. Of course, when your full-size tank runs low, you don’t need to replace the whole tank—SWVA Gas Service provides reliable propane delivery service to Radford, VA, and the surrounding communities. But sometimes, you need to replace or swap out your existing tank. Whether you need to install a new tank or replace an old one, the pros at SWVA Gas Service have the expertise to handle everything for you, safely and properly.

To start, there are just a couple of upfront decisions you’ll need to make if you are considering a new propane tank.

Should I Choose an Aboveground or Underground Tank?

The easiest way to go if you’re replacing an old tank is to use the same setup as the new one. But if it’s a new propane tank, here’s what to consider:

• To locate your tank underground, you need to budget for excavation costs and extra labor to bury your tank properly and safely. Underground tanks also require “sacrificial anodes,” which help prevent corrosion, to be buried near the tank. The tank also needs to have a special anticorrosion coating and regular maintenance checks.
• For aboveground tanks or standing tanks, you simply need to meet distance requirements and have appropriate permits. You may need to have a concrete base to provide stability, but it’s inexpensive to add. Because your tank is aboveground, maintenance is easy. However aboveground tanks are more exposed to the elements, which can make them a little less durable if they’re subjected to extreme or extended heat and cold.
• Aboveground tanks are extremely safe. They only require periodic inspection for signs of damage or corrosion to avoid a leak.
• Underground tanks are considered safe or safer than aboveground tanks because they’re protected from extreme temperature fluctuations. They’re also safer in the event of a leak. Unlike oil, propane can’t harm soil or water, and since the tank is buried, leaking propane can’t escape into the air, causing a fire hazard.
• Live in a flood-prone area? An aboveground tank is the safer option. That’s because an underground tank can float away if the water rises above the propane level in your tank. Aboveground tanks stand a few inches off the ground and are bolted down making it more stable and less exposed during flood conditions.
• When you invest time and money in making your home and yard look nice, you don’t want a hunk of metal ruining the view. But sometimes there isn’t the space—or the budget—to bury your tank. We’ll work with you to help situate your tank at the side or the back of your home, in as unobtrusive a place as possible while adhering to safety rules.

What Size Propane Tank Do I Need?

If you are replacing an existing tank, consider whether your needs have changed. If you’ve added new gas appliances, put an addition on your home, or even have more people living with you than when you first got your tank, you may use more propane. Maybe you’ve noticed you must order propane more often—a sure sign your tank is too small.

Getting a bigger tank means you’ll need fewer refills, reduce the risk of a runout, and even avoid or lessen the sting of price spikes.

But a bigger tank is, well, bigger! You’ll need space to bury it. And if it’s above ground, a huge tank can be less attractive. We can help you determine the best size propane tank for your needs based on the size of your Radford area home as well as how many appliances you’ll be fueling.

We Make Propane Tank Installations Easy!

Once you’ve made your decisions about size and location, you can sit back and let SWVA take care of everything else. From permits to lighting your pilots after your first fill-up, we’ll make it look as easy as changing out your grill cylinder.

We will perform testing and safety inspections, light pilot lights, check appliances for proper operation and answer any questions you may have about the tank installation, service arrangements, or delivery schedules.

When we’re done, you’ll understand why homeowners and businesses throughout the southwest Virginia area trust SWVA to provide reliable propane service for more than 50 years. Whether you decide on an aboveground or underground propane tank, know that our team can make selecting, installing, and maintaining your tank easy. And we’ll provide reliable propane delivery services, too.

Contact us for more information today.