Copper definitely has its ups and downs, you're right about that. When I replaced some plumbing in my first home last summer, I ended up with a mix of copper and brass fittings. The brass was straightforward—steady prices, easy recycling—but copper had me constantly checking market rates. Diversifying does seem like a smart move to avoid those stressful price swings. Good call on keeping things balanced...makes the whole recycling process feel less like gambling and more like responsible home maintenance.
"Diversifying does seem like a smart move to avoid those stressful price swings."
Yeah, copper's volatility can be a headache. Last year, I redid plumbing in an older apartment complex, and ended up with a pile of copper pipes and fittings. Prices were decent at first, but by the time I got around to recycling, they'd dropped noticeably. Brass was steady as always—no surprises there. Learned my lesson though... now I keep separate bins and wait until copper prices trend upward before cashing in.
Copper definitely swings around, but I'm not sure holding onto scrap waiting for prices to rise is always worth it. I mean, storage space isn't free, and if you're sitting on a decent pile, that space could be used for something more productive. Plus, predicting metal prices is tricky—what if they keep dropping? Sometimes it's better to just cash out regularly and avoid the guessing game altogether...
I've been there—had a decent pile of copper fittings and old pipe sections stacked up in the garage. Thought I'd wait it out for better prices, but after tripping over it for months, I finally just cashed it in. Honestly, the extra space and less clutter was worth more to me than any small price bump I might've missed. Predicting metal prices feels like gambling anyway...
You made the right call. I've seen plenty of folks hold onto scrap metal hoping for a price spike, only to end up with cluttered garages and safety hazards. Copper fittings and old pipes stacked up can become a real tripping hazard or even worse—sharp edges, rust, corrosion... not worth the risk. Plus, metal prices are notoriously unpredictable. I've had customers who waited months thinking they'd hit the jackpot, only to see prices drop instead.
Honestly, clearing out that space probably saved you from potential accidents or injuries down the line. I always tell people: if you're not actively using it or don't have a clear plan for it, better to recycle sooner rather than later. You got rid of clutter and made your garage safer—sounds like a win-win to me.
And yeah, predicting metal prices is basically gambling without the fun part. Better to cash in when you can and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with less junk lying around. Good move on your part.
