How safe is an underground propane tank?
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Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
However you did purchase a home governed by an HOA, and you agreed to abide by and be bound by their rules.
Well, part of the problem here is that the HOA probably doesn't know/understand/care about the rules in full. They are usually run by some busy body in the neighborhood who isn't really qualified to do anything. I'm just guessing that the OP does not have a specific rule forbidding these tanks in his HOA, or he would have cited it. If there is no specific rule, then they can't say don't install it just because one unqualified person thinks it might be unsafe. They have to, at the very least, come up with a good reason.
It is extremely extremely common for HOAs to overstep their bounds and try to enforce things they cannot legally do.
However you did purchase a home governed by an HOA, and you agreed to abide by and be bound by their rules.
Well, part of the problem here is that the HOA probably doesn't know/understand/care about the rules in full. They are usually run by some busy body in the neighborhood who isn't really qualified to do anything. I'm just guessing that the OP does not have a specific rule forbidding these tanks in his HOA, or he would have cited it. If there is no specific rule, then they can't say don't install it just because one unqualified person thinks it might be unsafe. They have to, at the very least, come up with a good reason.
It is extremely extremely common for HOAs to overstep their bounds and try to enforce things they cannot legally do.
Around here if you pay for the digging the propane company will bury the tank. Its very safe. Unlike buried fuel oil tanks. I know several people with them.
And having the propane warmer underground is better for vaporization but that should not be a problem anyway with a 500 gallon tank.
And having the propane warmer underground is better for vaporization but that should not be a problem anyway with a 500 gallon tank.
Originally Posted By: Number21
My point? The people who run your HOA, and mine, and every other HOA, are most likely unqualified idiots. Don't let them control your life. They may think they can, but they can't. In most cases, they have no authority, period. They pretend to, and they huff and puff, but they are all hot air. After they run out of nasty letters, that's it. It's kind of like when a mall security guard starts thinking he is a real cop.
It all depends on the HOA. Where we are there is one (and I'll be on the board come 2014) and they are very lax. The majority of the "regulations" are not enforced because we don't agree with them and there is no $$ to do much about it (including changing the covenants). That's the best type of HOA to be in as unless someone does something really crazy most won't care. Then again our development isn't like most where everything is cookie cutter and you can tell it's all the same house...
But make no mistake - most are structured in a way that the HOA does have power. They can put liens on your house, take you to court, etc. It's all in either your deed or your HOA covenants which you should have signed at closing. The thing is - do they have the resources to do anything about it. I know ours doesn't.
To the OP - if they are being tough about it or stalling - read your covenants or have a lawyer review them. They may have no jurisdiction on what you put in the ground. If they don't then just do it. If they do, unfortunately they have to approve. Have you talked to your contractor or propane supplier for information in safety of the underground tank?
My point? The people who run your HOA, and mine, and every other HOA, are most likely unqualified idiots. Don't let them control your life. They may think they can, but they can't. In most cases, they have no authority, period. They pretend to, and they huff and puff, but they are all hot air. After they run out of nasty letters, that's it. It's kind of like when a mall security guard starts thinking he is a real cop.
It all depends on the HOA. Where we are there is one (and I'll be on the board come 2014) and they are very lax. The majority of the "regulations" are not enforced because we don't agree with them and there is no $$ to do much about it (including changing the covenants). That's the best type of HOA to be in as unless someone does something really crazy most won't care. Then again our development isn't like most where everything is cookie cutter and you can tell it's all the same house...
But make no mistake - most are structured in a way that the HOA does have power. They can put liens on your house, take you to court, etc. It's all in either your deed or your HOA covenants which you should have signed at closing. The thing is - do they have the resources to do anything about it. I know ours doesn't.
To the OP - if they are being tough about it or stalling - read your covenants or have a lawyer review them. They may have no jurisdiction on what you put in the ground. If they don't then just do it. If they do, unfortunately they have to approve. Have you talked to your contractor or propane supplier for information in safety of the underground tank?
I have a 250gal buried propane tank. It's been trouble free for 12 years.
My Mother in Law has a similar buried tank. Been there since the early 1970's without any issues. No leaks, no problems, no sweat.
My Mother in Law has a similar buried tank. Been there since the early 1970's without any issues. No leaks, no problems, no sweat.
Here is the latest response from my contractor dated Dec. 20, 2013:
" I have communicated with Ms. Panjehshahi regarding the installation of the propane tank on your property. She has requested information regarding safety and environmental impact. I have requested this information from the propane tank installation company. I will keep you updated. Have a nice weekend!"
Ms. Panjehshahi is my HOA president. I haven't heard from them since and probable won't till after the New Year.
" I have communicated with Ms. Panjehshahi regarding the installation of the propane tank on your property. She has requested information regarding safety and environmental impact. I have requested this information from the propane tank installation company. I will keep you updated. Have a nice weekend!"
Ms. Panjehshahi is my HOA president. I haven't heard from them since and probable won't till after the New Year.
Have you considered moving?
Nope. The townhouse is fully paid for. My wife and I are planning to retire in it since my children are growing up to leave the nest soon.
Take on the HOA and they will make your life a living ----
I have been living in this townhouse since 1996 (my very first house) and putting money into paying off the mortgage ever since. Now the mortgage is all paid off by God's grace and I am starting the home improvement from the infrastructure first. This is my very first time having contact with my HOA. I never picture that it could be this hard to install a standby generator. I have already paid $6,000.00 (1/3 of total cost as the down payment for this project, and the HOA has been stalling it for a month. I was told the whole installation would only take a week. I just hope my contractor can convince my HOA in approving it ASAP since the earth will be soon hardened by freezing temperature and become too hard to dig.
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Nearly $20k for a generator? That seems like a lot of money. Why such an expensive, extravagant setup? Do you use propane for anything else in the house by chance? If so, then the in-ground propane tank makes sense. If you're doing all of this JUST for a genrator - well, you have money to burn then.
Originally Posted By: KenO
Nearly $20k for a generator? That seems like a lot of money. Why such an expensive, extravagant setup? Do you use propane for anything else in the house by chance? If so, then the in-ground propane tank makes sense. If you're doing all of this JUST for a genrator - well, you have money to burn then.
Time out. Suggesting that someone doesn't know how to spend his own money is flat out rude. I had some half-wit zero on this board do that to me. Rude!
There could very well be someone in the household who needs power as a life/death issue. Ever think of that, Ken?
Nearly $20k for a generator? That seems like a lot of money. Why such an expensive, extravagant setup? Do you use propane for anything else in the house by chance? If so, then the in-ground propane tank makes sense. If you're doing all of this JUST for a genrator - well, you have money to burn then.
Time out. Suggesting that someone doesn't know how to spend his own money is flat out rude. I had some half-wit zero on this board do that to me. Rude!
There could very well be someone in the household who needs power as a life/death issue. Ever think of that, Ken?
Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Originally Posted By: KenO
Nearly $20k for a generator? That seems like a lot of money. Why such an expensive, extravagant setup? Do you use propane for anything else in the house by chance? If so, then the in-ground propane tank makes sense. If you're doing all of this JUST for a genrator - well, you have money to burn then.
Time out. Suggesting that someone doesn't know how to spend his own money is flat out rude. I had some half-wit zero on this board do that to me. Rude!
There could very well be someone in the household who needs power as a life/death issue. Ever think of that, Ken?
I didn't suggest that someone doesn't know how to spend their own money. It just seems extravegant for a home use. Why not a traditional generator that can sit in storage and get fired up once or twice a year, and you can setup to simply plug in, flip the switch/breakers, and go??
And this isn't the first time, but I've noticed a trend on this forum that people seem to get REALLY butthurt here when you question the motives or the reasoning behind somebody's decision. Sometimes the questions help clarify things for people viewing (myself, for example), and sometimes questions bring out something OP doens't know or didn't think about. It's a 'forum' for a reason. fo·rum
/ˈfôrəm/
noun
noun: forum; plural noun: forums; plural noun: fora1. a place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged.
Originally Posted By: KenO
Nearly $20k for a generator? That seems like a lot of money. Why such an expensive, extravagant setup? Do you use propane for anything else in the house by chance? If so, then the in-ground propane tank makes sense. If you're doing all of this JUST for a genrator - well, you have money to burn then.
Time out. Suggesting that someone doesn't know how to spend his own money is flat out rude. I had some half-wit zero on this board do that to me. Rude!
There could very well be someone in the household who needs power as a life/death issue. Ever think of that, Ken?
I didn't suggest that someone doesn't know how to spend their own money. It just seems extravegant for a home use. Why not a traditional generator that can sit in storage and get fired up once or twice a year, and you can setup to simply plug in, flip the switch/breakers, and go??
And this isn't the first time, but I've noticed a trend on this forum that people seem to get REALLY butthurt here when you question the motives or the reasoning behind somebody's decision. Sometimes the questions help clarify things for people viewing (myself, for example), and sometimes questions bring out something OP doens't know or didn't think about. It's a 'forum' for a reason. fo·rum
/ˈfôrəm/
noun
noun: forum; plural noun: forums; plural noun: fora1. a place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged.
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Originally Posted By: Number21
You might want to show them a picture of what a 500 gallon above ground tank would look like in your "alternative location" of your front yard. Some people paint them pink and dress them up like pigs....
Alternatively, you considered a pink piggy but it doesn't project the image you're looking for. You've got more style than that and will go all out dressing yours up as an Ohio-class submarine complete with little sea men on top and for Christmas... a manger scene!
You might want to show them a picture of what a 500 gallon above ground tank would look like in your "alternative location" of your front yard. Some people paint them pink and dress them up like pigs....
Alternatively, you considered a pink piggy but it doesn't project the image you're looking for. You've got more style than that and will go all out dressing yours up as an Ohio-class submarine complete with little sea men on top and for Christmas... a manger scene!
Choosing to use a propane generator only has to make sense to the purchaser.
FWIW, I would use propane fuel for a gen if I didn't already have a gasoline model...our furnace, stove and H/W heater all feed off of our 500 gallon underground tank.
Good luck with the HOA....I hope they come around soon and make the "right" decision!
FWIW, I would use propane fuel for a gen if I didn't already have a gasoline model...our furnace, stove and H/W heater all feed off of our 500 gallon underground tank.
Good luck with the HOA....I hope they come around soon and make the "right" decision!
Originally Posted By: sifan
Ms. Panjehshahi is my HOA president. I haven't heard from them since and probable won't till after the New Year.
It should be a simple matter of reading your rules. It's either allowed or it isn't. There is no room for this woman to inject any sort of opinion on the matter. If your rules allow it then just go do it - don't even tell her.
Ms. Panjehshahi is my HOA president. I haven't heard from them since and probable won't till after the New Year.
It should be a simple matter of reading your rules. It's either allowed or it isn't. There is no room for this woman to inject any sort of opinion on the matter. If your rules allow it then just go do it - don't even tell her.
Originally Posted By: DoiInthanon
Get together the info from the propane company or trade association. Provide that.
It always amuses me those that sound off about city government nazis or HOA idiots, but never get the gumption to get together with three friends and run for the elected positions that rule these organizations.
At least here, that's a GREAT way to have your property taxes double! This has been a one-party town for 60+ years, and anyone defying the royalty will be PUNISHED!
Get together the info from the propane company or trade association. Provide that.
It always amuses me those that sound off about city government nazis or HOA idiots, but never get the gumption to get together with three friends and run for the elected positions that rule these organizations.
At least here, that's a GREAT way to have your property taxes double! This has been a one-party town for 60+ years, and anyone defying the royalty will be PUNISHED!
Originally Posted By: KenO
Nearly $20k for a generator? That seems like a lot of money. Why such an expensive, extravagant setup? Do you use propane for anything else in the house by chance? If so, then the in-ground propane tank makes sense. If you're doing all of this JUST for a genrator - well, you have money to burn then.
My mother's cost about half that...and that's WITHOUT having to pay to bury a huge LP tank.
Nearly $20k for a generator? That seems like a lot of money. Why such an expensive, extravagant setup? Do you use propane for anything else in the house by chance? If so, then the in-ground propane tank makes sense. If you're doing all of this JUST for a genrator - well, you have money to burn then.
My mother's cost about half that...and that's WITHOUT having to pay to bury a huge LP tank.
Well after doing research theres no reason not to allow the undetground tank if its the correct type of tank and its installed according to the local laws.and as i said before having 500 gallons underground is safer than 4 gallons sitting under your bbq.
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