Oil Burner just cracked!

Varega

So, I go into my basement to do some laundry, and there's about 8 ft puddle of water around my burner. I've turned off the main water feeder valve, the oil burner emergency shutoff switch, and called the oil heating company. They are sending someone out to fix this as an emergency. Do I need to do anything else? I want to start mopping up the water, but there's rust and possibly oil in it, there's a sheen to it like it's gas, and it's pretty much separated in layers. What should I do?

Magdar

If you have kitty litter, you can use that to absorb most of the liquid and it can be taken away if it's considered hazardous.

Jam Warrior

Does it smell at all? To quote the googled up (UK but I can't see why it would be irrelevant here) HPA oil spill guidance: 'It is generally considered that people can smell and taste heating oil at concentrations below those that cause effects to health.'

If not then it's probably just grungy water and not a big hazard. If it does smell and you suspect it is oil then you'll need specialist guidance which the engineer who is already on his way over can advise on.

Noisymunk

Don't touch it. Let the repairman deal with it. He'll probably have a wet/dry vac in his truck for such things, and you really don't want heating oil on you.

bowen

Get the kitty litter handy, but I would avoid it until the repairman has seen it.

Varega

Turns out it was just rust, and that I need a full new burner. Thanks guys, we can close this.