Abandoned Automatic car wash

[InsideOut]

I live in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I've noticed at dozens of gas stations that their automatic single car wash machines are in op and boarded up. Since I do mobile detailing, these outbuildings would be perfect for a small full service detail shop. I have the opportunity to convert one or a few of these abandoned units into a shop. All automatic equipment has been removed leaving only a wash bay. In the middle is a drain that leads to another drain that eventually leads to the sanitary line. Since most of the cost associated with these buildings has already been paid by previous owners, I would have very low start up costs and would like to be up to date with all permits associated with making the conversion to a hand wash. I've spoken to several city offcials and with a couple of permits it seems pretty doable. I spoke to pre-treatment water coordinator and they explained that there really are no inspections since unit is already zoned for cash wash. I would only have to show proof of my sludge disposal??? Do I need a OWS or is that what was installed in drain? I would use maybe a few thousand gallons a month since I'm doing hand washes. Can someone familiar with the area or situation chime in to give me a breakdown of what is needed to comply with whatever regulations may apply? Mostly concerned about pre-treatment of water before disposal to sanitary sewer. Are there any low cost systems available for installation for this type of system? Any feedback or thougts would be greatly appreciated as I am new to this.

Thanks.

PS: The city employees are completely obivious to providing any type of direction to help me set up properly.

 

[MEP001]

The "sludge disposal" is the testing and hauling away of the stuff that accumulates in the bay's pit. If Florida's laws are like those of Texas, you'd have to have it tested for harmful contaminants before having it emptied, and the cost of proper disposal of the sludge will vary depending on the amount of oil or other contaminants.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I would check the local phone book or your local industry association for local "Pitsucker" companies and contact them. I would think that out of neccessity they would handle all appropriate paperwork.

 

[robert roman]

“I live in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I've noticed at dozens of gas stations that their automatic single car wash machines are in op and boarded up.”

I live in Clearwater. There are many reasons for the boarded up carwashes at retail petroleum sites.

1) The local and regional economy has been decimated by the recession, collapse of the real estate market, job loss, outmigration of families that used to make decent wages and a great influx of migrant workers who are depressing wages. Consequently, the market has shrunk and there is less demand for gas, carwash, detail, dry cleaning, etc., etc.

2) The boarded up washes are at sites that are operated mostly by small independent owners. Typically, these owners have run their washes into the ground because they either don’t know how to compete or are unwilling to do what is necessary to compete.

I could go on.

“I have the opportunity to convert one or a few of these abandoned units into a shop. All automatic equipment has been removed leaving only a wash bay. In the middle is a drain that leads to another drain that eventually leads to the sanitary line.”

What you will find is the floor drain typically leads to a grease trap which leads to an underground settling tank which may lead to another underground tank (clarifier) which then leads to the sanitary sewer. Since the waste water recovery system is underground, it is most always left behind after taking out carwash unit. So, there should be no compliance issues associated with just coming in and washing cars.

“Since most of the cost associated with these buildings has already been paid by previous owners,”

Here’s the rub. Most, if not all, of the gas sites you mentioned are leased properties. Once the lease expires, many of these gas sites will be decommissioned and boarded up. So, I would proceed very carefully in dealing with these operators in making a commitment to rent terms and conditions.

Although I don’t like to rain on anyone’s parade, you will find a gas station is not an ideal site for a detail or hand-wash operation.

The why is because the average guest time at a gas/c-store is about 5 to 8 minutes. This is why gas stations install an in-bay. An in-bay doesn’t take up a lot of property and the average service time of five minutes fits with the consumer’s purchasing behavior.

So, you will find few gas or c-store customers willing to wait the amount of time it takes for a hand wash or detail.

Given the amount of small business closures here, there are a lot of properties available that may be a better alternative for you.