The weather is starting to warm up, and you can’t wait to spend as much time as possible in your backyard. Thoughts of BBQs and late nights accompanied by a patio heater or fire pit are all too exciting. Before you begin these activities, though, you want to make sure your tank is ready for the fun. Learn more on how to prepare your propane tank to thaw for spring.
Brush It Away
First, you’ll want to remove any snow or ice on your propane tank. You should do this with a broom or anything soft to avoid damaging the tank in the process. When removing snow, do so as gently as possible, and don’t make any scraping motions.
You’ll want to double-check your tank’s fuel level during this process. If you notice the tank is low on gas, you’ll need to refuel it. Luckily, First Fuel & Propane offers propane fuel delivery in New York and the surrounding Massachusetts area. Make sure to get ahead of things. You don’t want anything to stop you from enjoying your backyard.
Don’t Use High Heat
As you prepare your propane tank to thaw for spring, you might think that using heat will hasten the process. Heating your tank will indeed shorten the process, but you should never use a space heater, butane torch, or hot water. Instead, you should use a heated blanket on medium heat. Make sure to cover as much surface area as possible, as this will help melt any snow away slowly and safely. The risk of any dangerous incidents when using high heat is relatively low, but your safety should come first.
Avoid Causing Damage
Remember to steer clear of the regulator, any meters, valves, or piping while removing any snow or using a blanket. If you find the vents entirely covered in snow and ice, you shouldn’t try to remove them on your own. Instead, you should contact a professional to repair your regulator vents.
By DARCY KNAPP