First big scrap operation

I've seen many threads on here about people scrapping houses out, and I'd like to share my experience.

My uncles house is being bought up by the gov for some area they want and they gave him the ok to take anything and everything out of it, and theyll tear the remaining down

My uncle is taking the pipe in for himself for a little extra $, and I'm helping him move and he said I could have anything else I wanted.


My plan is a complete gut and figure out what I can do. Ill wait till they get all their stuff out than start taking out stuff

I want to pull the larger stuff first like appliances if there are any, hot water heater, a/c unit.

Than ill go through and smash the plugs and outlets out and trace the wires and cut and pull those out.

Than ill smash open around light fixtures, pull those, and trace those wires out.

Than ill go around taking any scrap laying around / stuff I can sell.

Anyone know anything that would sell fast out of a home like that? I believe its 3 bed 2 bath with a big garage.

Probably the garage door would sell / scrap
A/C unit resale since it works

Can't wait to do this and I'll post pictures + How much money I make and how many hours It takes to give everyone a good idea if its worth it.

Will probably start end of this month.

Light fixtures and faucets, knobs on the kitchen cabinets and such may sell. This would be a fun project. You should keep track of how many pounds you remove from the house before they demolish it. And when they do ask them for the rebar or other structural metal support items that may be enclosed in the walls, roof or floor! Also water and gas lines that are on your property...

Check the siding - usually aluminum. Gutters etc.

Siding is just wood. But thanks I will for sure pull the gutters off!

Originally Posted by sledge

Man what a chubby I'm getting: After ALL utilities are off and killed:
Steel Gas Lines
All Electrical lines
You'll get a whole house full of:
Light fixtures
Plumbing fixtures
HVAC piping

Don't forget that if it is an old home- WOOD TRIM and Hardwood Flooring: I got about 500 linear foot of 80+ year old trim out of a house before it got razed and used it in my home. Had no place to store the flooring but it was tongue and groove OAK and was unmolested.. wanted to die that I couldn't get it and store it.

Remember- there is FAR more than metal in a house to save, salvage and profit off!

Go at it my man!

Correct even windows and doors could be worth it to remove if you could sell them... Heck I would remove so much when the Gov came with there 3 to 4 tractors to demolish it would fall like a house of cards! LOL

So I don't have to type it all out.
Scrappah hit the nail on the head.
http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/scrap...tml#post219065

Definitely find the dryer and stove circuits and get every bit of wire from those--that will be 30 and 50 amp cable, quite a bit heavier than the regular house wire. And don't forget the main power feed coming inside from the overhead connection into the house...it will be 100 or 200 A rated wire. (Just be sure the utility people have cut the power to the house!!!!)

If the outside feed from the utility is underground, it may be copper, too. Overhead is usually aluminum. But see if you can get that if you can be there when they disconnect. Since the place is due for demo, their instructions will likely be to disconnect at the street, rather than at the house.

Finally, there should be a fairly heavy bare or green insulated ground wire from the main breaker box to one or two ground rods set outside or in the basement. If old enough, the ground rods might be copper!!

The copper in those few heavy feeds may exceed the copper you get from the rest of the house.

Good luck, and please keep us posted!! Photographs!!

Jon.

Aluminum storm windows & storm doors.

If old double hung wood windows, there are heavy cast iron counter weights inside the widow casing.

Power will just be cut at panel while i'm in there I think.

Here's a list I'll take with me when going. If you have anything to add please tell me!

Appliances
Outlets
Fixtures
Wiring
Storm Doors
Storm Windows
Window Weights
Firepit
A/C Unit
Garbage Disposal
Sink
Gutters
Downspouts
Roof Flashing
A/C Ducts
Furnace
Garage Door Rails
Garage Door Opener
Vents
Fire Alarms (I know... I know...)
Fireplace Cover
Switches
Window Screens
Hardware
Knobs
Toilet Brass
Sink Brass
Shower Doors
Shower Fixtures
Drawer Slides

Good Point. I only have a 6 foot pickup with sides on it, what do people reccomend for hauling metal? Possibly get the yard to deliver a dumpster for shred? I have no idea if I'll have enough to fill it... Also theft is an issue with the dumpster aswell would need one with a locking lid. Trailer is out of the option can't get one or use one until I'm 17. 35 minutes from my house and 25 from a scrapyard so lots of loads maybe?

Originally Posted by harsas

A word of caution about the garage door. If it is a double door (typically 16' wide) it will have a spring that runs on a bar across the top of the door. You have to let the tension off this spring before you start to remove the door panels. If you do not, it could jump up and bite you really badly. I would recommend a Google search on how to do it but briefly, it involves in using a pin to pull the spring and moving the stop to the next hole, release and repeat until the tension is gone. If it is a single door, then the springs are ion either side and much easier to remove. Just be sure the door is raised when you take them loose.

Do your homework before you do the demo to avoid pain and excessive blood...

I second this...Those springs pack a heck of a punch or pinch. Disconnected one before and got smacked in the head by it when it fell from the garage attic lol. Left a nice gash. Sure getting fingers caught in them would be just as much fun if not more

Circuit Breakers, Bath tub (cast iron with legs have good resale), same with some of the old kitchen and bathroom sinks. Make sure that electricity is off and be careful (I know you will, but none of it is worth getting hurt over).

I hope it warms up a bit for Devin in the next couple weeks. Then again, you're in metro Omaha. Its amazing what a 180+ miles in latitude change does between there and here....

Good luck!!