Plumber's Scrap Metal Guide
"I'm a plumber and I accumulate a lot of copper pipe and fittings. I feel like I'm not getting the best price. Any tips for maximizing what I get?"
Three things that will immediately increase your payout: 1) Separate brass fittings from copper pipe — brass pays $1.50–$2.00/lb less than copper. 2) Remove solder joints where possible to upgrade from Copper #2 to #1. 3) Set up a commercial account so the buyer comes to you instead of you hauling to the yard.
The Three Biggest Mistakes Plumbers Make
Mixing brass fittings with copper pipe — the yard prices everything as brass. Not removing insulation from copper-clad pipe — drops to Copper #2. Hauling small loads to the yard instead of accumulating for commercial pickup. These three mistakes can cost 20–40% of your potential scrap income.
Separation Strategy for Plumbing Scrap
Keep four separate containers: Bare Bright/Copper #1 (clean pipe, no fittings, no solder), Copper #2 (pipe with solder, insulated pipe), Yellow Brass (fittings, valves, shut-offs), Red Brass (fire protection fittings, older valves). Label them and sort as you work — it takes 30 seconds per job and adds up to real money.
Monthly Scrap Income for Plumbers
A busy plumber doing 5–10 jobs per week generates: 50–100 lbs of copper pipe/month at $3.50–$4.00/lb = $175–$400. Plus 20–40 lbs of brass fittings at $1.80–$2.50/lb = $36–$100. Total: $211–$500/month with proper separation. Without separation (mixed load): $100–$200/month. The difference is real.
Commercial Plumber Account
ScrapMetalBuyers.com offers commercial accounts for plumbing contractors. We provide containers, schedule monthly pickups, and pay above-yard rates. Call (754) 310-2984 to set up your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I separate brass fittings from copper pipe?
Yes — always. Brass pays $1.50–$2.00/lb less than copper. Mixing them means everything gets priced as brass.
What is plumbing copper worth per pound?
Clean copper pipe (Copper #1) is $3.50–$3.90/lb. Pipe with solder (Copper #2) is $2.80–$3.40/lb. Brass fittings are $1.80–$2.50/lb.
Do you offer commercial accounts for plumbers?
Yes. We provide containers, regular pickups, and above-market rates. Call (754) 310-2984 to set up your account.
How much scrap does a plumber generate per month?
A busy plumber generates $200–$500/month in scrap income with proper separation of copper and brass.