Catastrophic loss of propane

I feel like I got hit in the gut with cannon ball and I need to vent. Weather was nice yesterday so I was out picking up some branches that had come down with the heavy snow and ice. I was in the area of my underground propane tank so I popped open the top to check the gauge. First of all the odor of propane was overwhelming. The regulator was covered in frost and an "ice cube" was noted on the line where it comes out of the regulator. There was a very noticable hissing sound.

A little background. I had a 1,000 gallon tank installed in Nov. of 2005. We have a gas stove (cooktop only, ovens are electric) and a 15kw standby generator. Needless to say our usage is low. The generator runs about 12 minutes a week to keep it exercised. When the tank was installed, I had it filled, 850 gallons. I last checked it in late November of 2010 while raking leaves. There was just over 700 gallons left. At my current usage that propane would have lasted me another 17-18 years! At this point many of you are saying, "Why did this a-hole get such a large propane tank?" I wanted the capacity to run the generator for a sustained period in the event of a major ice storm or terrorist related sabotage to the grid. OK, I'm a preparadeness junkie.

Back to my sad F ing story. The needle on the guage was so low, I couldn't even see it. I've lost about 700 gallons of propane. At the present cost of propane in my area, that's about $1,800.00 worth. As someone who goes to such great lengths to save on energy, this is devastating. That would pay for my coal for 2 years. So the propane company says they are not responsible and I understand their perspective. It was over installed 5 years ago. It appears I am just screwed.

So what can we learn from this teachable moment? First of all I had a beer summit. No I didn't invite Obama, I just slugged down about 8 beers last night to drown my sorrow. Obvioulsy I need to check the tank much more often than I have been. The tank can have a remote gauge installed somehow so I can check it from the house. The propane company will explain that to me Friday morning when they come out. I thought about placing a propane detector in the tank access pit but the propane company said that would probably not be a good idea.

I'm only going to get a minimum delivery of propane of 100 gallons for now. Cost per gallon, $2.69. I paid about a dollar per gallon less than that when it was originally filled. I think I'll plan another beer summit.

Look at it like this, at least no one was hurt or a fire, the propane can be replaced. Bad thing with propane, it's heavier than air, can go into a basement with bad results.

That could have ended BADLY. Thankfully no one got hurt.

-Rob

Rob is right and Beer is good!!!!!! Somebody was on your side in this unfortunate event that could have gone terribly wrong.

John

Glad you are safe! Just the thought of propane scares me. Is there some way that you can make the claim that someone is liable for your loss via a manufacturers waranty against defects in workmanship or materials?

Well the tank is not close to the house at all and it's down hill from it also. The leaking propane just went into the woods. Yes I thought about how it could have been something bad. Luckily I don't smoke and didn't have a cigarette hanging out of my mouth when I opened that access. Inside the house I have all black iron pipe. Pressure tested and time proven reliable.

never a good read to see heart ache such as this -- but locking the barn door after the horse is stolen -- there 573 old sayings -- if the gen set is on an automatic start -- get yourself a 100 pounder and put it in line for that occasional use -- should you decide later to bank a slug of fuel in the bulk tank - close the valve and pad lock it. Now if the 100 pounder was lower than the bulk - it could be allowed to fill by condensing - but it could also over fill so just forget that = put the little tank in the pickup and have it filled at an RV store and should the valve fail in cold damp weather like we just had... well - the loss will only be a beer or two and not a case of sorrow.

Kind Regards
Sorry for your loss - it could have been worse
Sting

Bad News,Good Outcome.....Regarding Sting's parking lot burial-"Oh God,NO! Not Blue !.."

Did you buy the tank & regulator outright or are they leased from your supplier? If they are leased & its a defect wouldn`t the owner or manufacturer at least be partly responsible?

The leaking propane just went into the woods.

So, this is where "swamp gas" comes from!

samhill wrote:Did you buy the tank & regulator outright or are they leased from your supplier? If they are leased & its a defect wouldn`t the owner or manufacturer at least be partly responsible?

no

Oh man, I'm sorry to hear of the loss. Glad no one was hurt, but the damage to your wallet isn't good. Just exactly where did it leak? Certainly 5 years is not long in the life of a tank. I'd be calling my homeowners insurance. It's not like is was 27 years old.

An underground tank? Not in Maine....not unless it's a double lined tank with sensors. They are expensive as heck but you'd have known if it was leaking. We have NO single wall underground tanks in Maine. They were all removed in the 90's.

Yeah, I agree with Samhill, do you know any lawyers? If it's the propane company's equipment, I don't see why you don't have a shot at legal recourse. You have photos. Sorry for your loss, man.

I agree with Freddy. Pursue the Homeowner's insurance policy, especially if to have an umbrella policy.

Wow, yeah, it coulda been worse

Anyone who has been here for awhile knows how I feel about propain...I won't have a tank on my property. Sorry for the lost $$$ Terry, but as everyone has said it could have been much worse.
Any claim with the source of the tank is probably hopeless, it has been there for 5 years. I doubt homeowner's insurance will cover it either, talk to your agent.