WD-40's alright for quick fixes, but yeah, PB Blaster is my go-to as well. Had an old galvanized pipe fitting that just wouldn't budge... sprayed it down, let it sit overnight, and it finally gave way without stripping. As for recycling old fixtures, most metal pipes and fittings (like copper, brass, or steel) can definitely be recycled. Just check with your local scrap yard or recycling center—they usually take them off your hands no problem.
Yep, most scrap yards will happily take metal pipes and fittings. Couple quick tips:
- Separate copper and brass from steel—usually gets you a better price.
- Call ahead, some places get picky about galvanized stuff.
- Drain any leftover water or gunk first... saves hassle at drop-off.
Good points here. Definitely worth the effort to sort copper and brass—I learned that the hard way after a few trips to the scrap yard. Galvanized stuff can be hit or miss, though. Had one yard wave me right through, no questions asked, while another got picky and turned me away because they said it was too corroded. Go figure.
Also, draining pipes is a must. I once hauled a bunch of old plumbing fixtures without checking them first... ended up with rusty water all over my truck bed. Not fun cleaning that up afterward.
Anyway, good advice overall—scrapping old fixtures can really add up if you're doing regular renovations or repairs. Beats tossing it in a dumpster any day.
Definitely agree on the galvanized stuff being hit or miss. I've had yards refuse perfectly usable galvanized pipe just because of some surface rust, yet another place took a whole batch of badly corroded fittings without blinking. Go figure...
Also, learned the hard way about valves. Thought I'd drained everything, but one old shut-off valve still had water trapped inside. Rusty sludge leaked all over my tools and floor mats—lesson learned. Now I always double-check valves and fittings before loading up.
Had a similar experience when I replaced the old pipes under my kitchen sink. Thought I'd drained everything, but nope... one sneaky valve decided to hold onto some nasty brown water. Ended up with a lovely puddle on my shoes and a stained cabinet floor. I'm still skeptical about recycling old fixtures though—seems like scrapyards just make up rules as they go along. Guess it depends who's working that day?
