6 Things You Can Sell as Scrap Metal When You Remodel a Home

There are many people who choose to buy houses at auctions to try to flip for a profit. This can be a great way to get a home for very little money, but there are often many things that need to be replaced in the home to make it livable.

Fortunately, some of the items in the home that need to be replaced can be sold to a scrap metal recycling company. The guide below walks you through a few things that you can salvage from the home to sell as scrap metal so you can earn some extra money to put towards the remodel.

1. Piping

Older homes often have metal or copper piping in them. When you have the piping replaced with PEX piping, it is important to have the plumber salvage any piping they remove from the home. Have him or her place the piping in a large dump trailer with all of the other salvaged metal so you do not have to make multiple trips to the salvage yard.

2. Gutters

Gutters are often made from aluminum and serve as great salvage metal. The gutters on a house may be bent, detached from the home, or rusted and need to be replaced. You can simply unscrew them from the side of the house and place them in the dump trailer to be hauled away. Separate them into small manageable sections to ensure that you can easily move them around as needed.

3. A Metal Roof

A metal roof is another great type of metal to salvage. If you have decided to replace a metal roof with shingles have the roofer remove the panels from the house one by one so that you can place them in the trailer. The sheets are usually rather large, so you may need to have someone else help you carry them.

4. Electrical Wiring

Electrical wiring in a home often contains copper and sometimes other metal. There are wire strippers that you can use to remove the exterior coating on the wiring so that you can easily gain access to it.

Have an electrician remove the wiring from the home before you try to strip it. That way, you won't risk electrocuting yourself while stripping the wires. The electrician will be able to make sure there is no power coming through the wiring and that it has been fully detached from the home before you do anything to it.

5. Metal Doors

Metal doors are a popular choice for many homes because they are so durable and sturdy. If you do not want metal doors in the home, or you want to replace the current ones with newer models, remove the screws that hold the doors to the hinges and carefully lift it loose. Once the door is free, you can easily carry it to the trailer.

6. Hardware

Many older homes have metal hardware throughout them that can be salvaged. Use a screwdriver to remove all of the door knobs, cabinet knobs and any other fixtures in the home that you want to replace or update. These items are often very lightweight and easy for you to remove on your own.

The condition of the items is not important. The company you take your scraps to will be able to salvage the items regardless of their condition so that they can be recycled to create something new that is useful.

If you're working on a complete remodel in the LA area, consider bringing your scrap metal to Bruce Metal & Salvage. We will be happy to help you with the disposal of your metal products.