Edit ArticleHow to Sort Scrap Metal Scrap metal is generated by the disposal of items that are no longer serviceable or wanted and by manufacturing processes that leave excess metal during the fabrication of the desired metal part. Scrap metal is not biodegradable, and is therefore well suited to recycling. Separate the metals for much better prices for the higher value scrap metals. The scrap can be sold to metal recycling operations, since they can be melted down by foundries and used to fabricate new parts. Use these tips to learn how to sort scrap metal. Take out car batteries. Pick out car catalytic converters. Separate ferrous from non ferrous metals. Find non-magnetic, stainless steel. Sort out copper pieces. Copper is lightweight and reddish in color. Copper may become greenish over time due to corrosion. Copper comes in 3 grades. Gather all electrical wiring. This wiring is considered light copper. Strip, using wire strippers (burning-off insulation is illegal, see "Warnings" section).

Discard the stripped insulation. Some metal recyclers accept wire with the insulation on, including Christmas lights, at a much lower price. Segregate copper tubing (considered medium copper). Remove any brass fittings from the tubing. Scrap recycling companies likely will offer only the lower price of brass if the copper tubing still has brass fittings attached, because of labor of handling and removing the brass (in buildings, air conditioner piping may be copper). Put aside copper tanks, such as special, water heater tanks. These tanks are considered heavy copper. Remove any attached insulation, covers and fittings from the tank (ordinary water heater tanks are zinc galvanized and "glass/ceramic lined").Aluminum is a lightweight metal with a dull silver color. Soda cans and lightweight lawn furniture are considered light aluminum. Remove all plastic fittings from pieces of lawn furniture. All other aluminum is considered heavy aluminum. Aluminum can be further sorted into "clean" and "coated" as some recyclers pay more for aluminum which is not painted or otherwise pre-finished.

Remove aluminum, automobile parts such as engine overhead-cam-/and valve-covers, intake manifold and thermostat housing (some bright trim may be aluminum). Electric motor parts can be recycled.ac motor control box Air conditioner (A/C) unit scrapping may be controlled by state laws, such as proof of ownership (unless, perhaps, you have only one unit in a load), and for reclaiming freon in sealed refrigeration systems (to be evacuated and captured by certified technicians).combination heating air conditioning window units Remove some aluminum or stainless A/C parts called "reefers", meaning refrigeration condenser and/or evaporator, if convenient and legally qualified to do so.thru the wall ac and heating unit

Car batteries contain caustic acid. Car batteries must be handled carefully if there are signs of leakage. Magnesium, although rare, is used in flares and can be visually mistaken for aluminum. Magnesium is brittle and will snap if sharply bent. Magnesium is easily ignited, and the resulting hot flame cannot be extinguished with water. Burning insulation off of copper wire is a biological hazard. If caught burning copper wire, a hefty fine and penalties will be imposed.Vandalism and copper theft have become huge problems for owners of vacant properties. Copper thieves and vandals prey on vacant houses because they are easy targets, and cause huge amounts of damage to the average property for a relatively small payoff. Download Your FREE Rental Application Form! It may seem like a small thing, but having a solid rental application is the first step in finding great tenants. Since BiggerPockets is all about helping you succeed in real estate investing, we’ve put together a complimentary Rental Application for you to use.

Download it today and go find some great tenants! Click Here For Your Free Rental Application Why Do People Steal Copper? Thieves love it because the value of copper has risen so much.  It is estimated to bring an average of about $3.30 per pound and is a $1 billion dollar problem according to the US Department of Energy. The other reason copper theft is such a problem is that it is a component in so many building materials. Copper tubing can be found in the pipes in many homes. It is also used in heating and air conditioning units, wiring and electrical components, and a whole host of other things. More often than not, the damage done by these thieves obtaining the copper far exceeds the value of the copper itself. Vandals may do thousands of dollars in damage to a property for no more than $25 or $30.00 worth of copper. They will tear up walls, ceilings, cabinets and anything else that gets in the way of ripping out the copper. The biggest targets for these thefts are construction sites, vacant buildings, and commercial heating and air conditioning units. 

That said, there are some steps that real estate investors can take to prevent your property from becoming the latest victim of these unscrupulous people. Make Residential Property Look Lived In If possible, take some steps to make the property look like it is occupied. Here are a few steps you can take: Put up inexpensive mini blinds and keep them closed. Have several lights on a timer that will come on at different times in the evening. Pick up any junk mail left at the house several times a week. Be sure that no trash accumulates on the property. Don’t leave trash cans sitting at the street for extended periods of time. Make sure the lawn is mowed on a regular basis. Ask a neighbor to park in the driveway several times a week. If your property is in the process of being rehabbed here are a few tips: Get rid of the dumpster as quickly as possible. Make sure building materials and trash aren’t left where people can see them.

Don’t leave tools and other valuables where they can be seen through doors and windows. Enlist the help of the neighbors. Give them your business card and ask them to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Don’t forget to reward these folks for their help when the job is finished with a gift certificate for dinner, a free car wash or something similar. In both of the situations above, you can also install one of those portable alarm systems in the property. These are great because they can be moved from property to property. These types of properties are especially popular because thieves can generally count on the business being closed at specific times.  There are some steps that you can take but all in all, these thieves are hard to deter when it comes to commercial property. Some property owners have been known to paint visible copper components black to appear like regular plastic tubing. When a tenant moves out, immediately check to be sure the property is secure.