Was doing some cleanup in my garage last weekend and found a box full of old copper pipes and fittings from when we renovated our bathroom last year. Instead of tossing them, I ended up turning some into pretty cool garden stakes and plant supports—copper looks kinda neat outdoors and it ages really nicely. Figured I can't be the only one holding onto random plumbing stuff "just in case," haha. Curious if anyone else has clever uses or hacks for repurposing old plumbing bits lying around?
"Figured I can't be the only one holding onto random plumbing stuff 'just in case,' haha."
You're definitely not alone, trust me. I've seen garages full of plumbing odds and ends that people swear they'll use someday. Usually, they don't—but your garden stake idea is actually pretty clever.
If you've got leftover copper fittings or elbows, you can make some decent-looking towel racks or hooks for indoors. Here's a quick rundown:
1. Clean the copper bits with some vinegar and salt to get rid of grime.
2. Arrange them into whatever shape or length you want—straight pipe sections with elbows at the ends work great.
3. Solder or epoxy them together (epoxy's easier if you're not comfortable soldering).
4. Mount it on a scrap piece of wood or directly onto the wall.
I've seen people do similar things with old galvanized pipes too, but personally, I think copper looks nicer indoors—especially once it starts getting that subtle patina.
Honestly though, sometimes it's better to just recycle the stuff rather than hoarding it forever...but hey, if you're actually putting it to use, more power to ya.
Copper does look nice, but honestly, I think galvanized pipes have their own charm indoors too. I recently put together a small shelf using leftover galvanized fittings and some reclaimed wood. Didn't even bother cleaning them up much—just wiped off the dust. It turned out pretty decent, kind of rustic-industrial looking. Copper's great if you want something polished, but galvanized stuff can be cool if you're into that rougher vibe.
Galvanized can definitely look cool, but personally I steer clear of using it indoors—especially if it's older stuff. I've seen plenty of galvanized pipes corrode from the inside out, and sometimes they leave behind nasty rust stains or flakes you don't notice until later. Copper might be pricier, but at least you know it's clean and won't surprise you down the road. If you're after that industrial look without the corrosion worries, black iron pipe is a solid alternative...just my two cents.
Good point about galvanized pipes—I had some old fittings that looked fine on the outside but were totally rusted inside. Ended up tossing them. Copper seems safer overall, especially if you're repurposing stuff for indoor projects or garden beds...better safe than sorry.
