Self service in bay heating questions

[Jeffhanson30]

Hello All,

New to the group but I am in processing of purchasing a 6 bay self service car wash in Michigan that has been out of service for 4+ years and so in process of learning about the challenges. One is the in bay floor heating. I looked at all the access ports for the valves and they are all rusted or corroded. Is any of this replaceable or can be checked for functionality? My GC wants to level the place and build new due to this, the lines look like PEX or flexible PVC? Can the valves, manifolds be replaced with a new boiler heat system?

 

[Blanco]

You can pressure test the lines to see if there are leaks underground or in the manifolds. Why do you have a GC? Of course there going to want to level the place. Thats more money in their pocket. You should post actual pics of the building and equipment. If you do level the building and build new you will never make your money back as a 6 bay SS.

 

[Jeffhanson30]

SBA7 requires a GC to complete the job on time.

 

[Jeffhanson30]

Assume they are leaking. Do I need to have a jack hammer and start breaking concrete to replace or look at an alternative such as radiant heat installed from the inner bay ceiling and walls?

 

[Randy]

I think your best route would be to clean out the holes that the valves are in, clean up the valves a little bit and do what Blanco has suggested by doing a pressure test to see if the system is going hold pressure. I would go over 30psi on a pressure test.

 

[Jeffhanson30]

And there is no equipment just a shell of a building

 

[Randy]

SBA7 requires a GC to complete the job on time.

Does your GC know anything about car washes?

 

[Randy]

And there is no equipment just a shell of a building

What's the general condition of the building, the floors etc? can you post some bunch of pictures of this property and the location?

 

[Roz]

Depending on the potential revenue the location it may be worth the investment to rip up the floors and install new heated lines. Costs about $10K per bay for concrete, pipes, and boiler. We did after our first winter. Huge difference and benefit.

 

[Jeffhanson30]

Does your GC know anything about car washes?

Yes my lender requires the GC has completed multiple car wash projects to qualify. The SBA7 vetting process is pretty thorough to ensure the GC is up to the job and will compete. My GC looked at them and said they were not usable do to level of corrosion. I will continue to inquire about additional options and if we can perform a pressure test. Great suggestion.

 

[Jeffhanson30]

I’ll grab some more pics of the floors and upload. That’s the only thing I see as the biggest mountain. Everything else is cosmetic and all new equipment purchase and installation