House Renovation: Which Scrap Metal Is Worth Keeping?
A full house renovation can yield hundreds of pounds in scrap metal — if you know what to keep and what to skip. Here is the complete guide.
A full house renovation can yield significant amounts of valuable scrap metal — copper, lead, cast iron, aluminium, and brass are all commonly found in older UK properties.
Copper Plumbing (High Value)
Copper pipe from central heating systems and plumbing is among the most valuable renovation scrap. Keep all copper pipe separate from fittings. Current rate: £4.00–£4.70/kg for clean pipe.
Lead (Medium Value)
Lead flashing from roofs, lead pipe from older drainage systems, and lead weights are all worth keeping. Lead pays around £1.10–1.40/kg. Must be stored safely — lead is a hazardous material.
Cast Iron Radiators and Pipes (Low-Medium Value)
Old cast iron radiators, soil pipes, and guttering are heavy but worth collecting. Cast iron pays £0.12–0.18/kg — a full radiator can weigh 40–80kg.
Brass Fittings (Medium-High Value)
Door handles, tap bodies, ball valves, and compression fittings are brass. Worth £2.80–3.20/kg. Remove from copper pipe before selling to keep both at optimal grade.
Aluminium Window Frames (Medium Value)
Aluminium window frames from a full renovation can add up. Remove rubber seals and glass before scrapping. Worth £0.90–1.10/kg as extruded aluminium.