Decatur scrap is bungalow copper on streets with no extra width
Decatur’s bungalows and small houses are some of the better copper leads in the metro, and some of the hardest to reach. A bathroom repipe might be a few dozen pounds of clean pipe plus a cast tub, staged in a driveway that shares a narrow street with bikes and trash carts.
There is almost no industrial scrap. If the load is a commercial kitchen downtown, say that — it is stainless and steel, not the residential copper story this page is about.
Local prices vary by yard. Send a photo for a quote. We do not publish a Decatur scale sheet.
Atlanta Scrap is an independent referral service that connects you with local scrap yards.
Contractor scrap form · Gold and silver · Cash for cars
Sort Decatur remodel scrap by metal and condition
Start with a magnet and a few separate piles. A magnet usually sticks to steel and iron, which are ferrous metals; copper, brass, and aluminum are non-ferrous. The test is a sorting aid, not a final grade: some stainless steel is weakly magnetic or not magnetic. Keep uncertain pieces aside rather than mixing them into a clean copper or aluminum lot.
Copper grades can affect how a yard evaluates a load. Bare bright is clean, uncoated copper wire with its insulation removed. #1 copper is generally clean copper pipe or tubing with little contamination; #2 may have solder, paint, or other surface material. Insulated wire is graded separately. Yard rules differ, so photograph the material as it is and ask before stripping or cutting it.
Keep brass apart from copper, and separate aluminum from steel attachments when practical. Faucet bodies and plumbing fittings may be brass, while window frames or other remodel pieces may be aluminum. Clean material is easier to identify than pieces mixed with screws, plastic, caulk, or debris. Do not damage a fixture or risk injury just to remove a small attachment; ask the yard how it wants mixed items sorted.
Plan a Decatur scrap pickup around the material
Wire stripping is not always worth the time. Removing insulation can improve the grade of clean copper wire, but it takes labor and leaves insulation to manage. Do not burn wire to remove its coating; burning creates harmful smoke and can leave the copper less desirable. Send a clear photo of the wire, including its insulation and any labels, so a partner yard can say whether to keep it intact.
Refrigerators, freezers, window air conditioners, and similar appliances may contain refrigerant. Do not cut refrigerant lines or release the contents. Proper evacuation may be required before a yard accepts the unit, and acceptance rules vary. Ask the yard about the specific appliance before arranging pickup, and mention whether it is complete or already has components removed.
For a vehicle or catalytic converter, ask what identification and paperwork the yard requires before pickup. Junk-car title requirements can depend on the vehicle and situation, so confirm acceptable documents directly with the partner yard rather than assuming a bill of sale is enough. For any pickup, have the address, access details, material photos, and a contact ready. Keep the load stable and clear of people, pets, and traffic. The partner yard handles its own inspection, weigh ticket, payment, and ID process; this site connects sellers with yards and does not buy the scrap itself.
Questions
Should I strip insulation from copper wire before sending a photo?
Usually, send a photo before doing extra work. A yard can identify the likely wire category and explain whether stripping makes sense for that material. Wire type, insulation, labor, and the yard’s grading rules all matter. Never burn insulation off, and do not use a tool unless you can work safely.
Does a magnet tell me whether metal is valuable?
No. It helps separate many steel and iron items from non-ferrous metals, but it does not establish a price or exact grade. Some stainless steel may not attract a magnet strongly. Keep questionable pieces separate and let the yard identify them; avoid mixing them into a cleaner pile in the meantime.
Can I put an old refrigerator in a regular scrap-metal load?
Check with the yard first. Refrigerators and other cooling appliances may contain refrigerant that must be properly evacuated before acceptance. Do not puncture lines or try to release it yourself. Tell the yard the appliance type and whether it is complete, and follow its handling instructions before scheduling removal.
What should I ask about a catalytic converter?
Ask whether the yard accepts it and what identification or paperwork it requires. Keep the converter intact until you have confirmed the yard’s requirements; cutting or altering it may complicate identification or acceptance. Requirements can vary, so do not rely on another seller’s experience as a substitute for checking directly.
What information helps arrange a junk-car pickup?
Have the vehicle’s location, make and model if known, condition, and clear photos ready. Ask the yard which title or other ownership documents it accepts for your situation, and confirm access for the pickup vehicle. The partner yard—not this referral site—sets its inspection, paperwork, weighing, and payment process.