How to Break down a Duplex Apartment

As some of you may know I make my living as a General Contractor. When this contest came about I thought.. "Let's think outside of the box shall we!"
This thread will take you through the current apartment I am rehabbing and show you all of the scrap opportunities I am able to come across, break down, and scrap!

Because each and every apartment is different in its needs, some things stay or are not torn out. So I will be showcasing all of the items that this particular apartment offered me to scrap. In my pictures of breakdowns you get pictures of the good stuff (scrap) and also the waste. Any plastic or rubber is thrown out.

***We are only able to upload 10 pictures per post and as per the rules, only this initial postings "Likes" will be counted. So if you are so inclined, please thank whatever posts you like, but also be sure to post a "Thanks" on this initial Posting pretty please.****


Lets Start with the Bathroom and hunt for Opportunities:
Bath Fan- Dead and Outdated
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...c87d3b64a947d3

Bath Fan Pulled and Broken Down: You have an electric motor, steel, #2 copper wire, and an all aluminum housing on this one. Whoot!
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...89&oe=5523F944

Bathroom Sink:
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...db&oe=55420302

Bathroom Sink After: Sink is cleaned and saved You get brass fittings, brass and aluminum faucet parts, copper, Brass valves, Brass pop-up. Lots of goodies here.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...5b17d9e967fb7d

Shower Rod:
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...cc&oe=5527479A

Shower Rod After: Aluminum Rod and Steel end cups
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...55251150b366df

Bathroom "Threshold"
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...c5&oe=5523E263

Bathroom Threshold Pulled: Nails go into a steel bucket, Threshold is aluminum.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...f2&oe=55455096

Toilet Paper Holder:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...fcfe39f1255d15

Toilet Paper Holder Pulled: Aluminum Brackets
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...04&oe=553CCE8C

I am always appreciative of your "thanks" so if you "Thank here" Please also "Thank" Post #1 of the thread. I Thank YOU in advance!
Continuing on our trip....

Electrical Outlets and Switches: These are pulled for a few reasons, wrong color, broken or not code anymore:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...ada0594ff3e32a
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...13a874f721f071

I got a NICE load from this apartment as it has not been rehabbed in probably 10 years: You see the pulled plugs and switches and all the screws that hold them into the gang box
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...9152b967124570

Outlets and Switches after meeting the vice: Left is all the plastic garbage, center is steel, Right is all the brass and some of them have copper contacts.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...5c&oe=5542B01C

Now every apartment has nails in the walls, screws, hooks, window treatment items and such. All is steel and goes into a bucket as I pull them:
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...5c&oe=552C8021

Here is what I ended up finding and pulling in just this one apartment:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...002586d18988ce

I am always appreciative of your "thanks" so if you "Thank here" Please also "Thank" Post #1 of the thread. I Thank YOU in advance!
Continuing on our trip....

Curtain Rods of weird and odd design sometimes:
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...08&oe=552F993B

Multitude of Rods pulled: All steel and scrap:
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...01&oe=553409CA

Now here is another way I "RECYCLE" The curtains in this apartment were nice, not my style nor my wife, but I know another tenant who is always looking for curtains, So I pulled them and went to her apt to let her have them.. they are now hanging in her livingroom:
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...d2&oe=55472EC2

Cable Jacks: Wrong Color and all paint nasty, they will be replaced:
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...88&oe=5537AF8B

Cable Jack Plates: Nuts are Steel, Fittings are Aluminum:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...fc102e6e27257b

Door Knobs:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...26e59a22c1808e

Door Knobs Pulled: My yard takes em this way as brass.. don't need further breakdown.. so into the bucket they go!
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...e4&oe=552614AE

I am always appreciative of your "thanks" so if you "Thank here" Please also "Thank" Post #1 of the thread. I Thank YOU in advance!
Continuing on our trip....

Lets look into the Kitchen for a bit.

Cabinets get kicked in, broken or destroyed. I break them down and scrap the parts I can.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...d5&oe=5522B913

Cabinet Door After breakdown: Steel screws and hardware:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...3a0db4a99218f6

Cabinet Drawers get the same treatment:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...c2779a49217a8e

Cabinet Drawers After: Steel rails and screws:
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...64&oe=5541822F

Range Hood Filter:
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...86&oe=55447F80

Range Hood Filter After: Screens and surround is all aluminum.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...9b8ecffa10555b

Tenant Placed Smoke Detector: Pulled because it is not standard issue from the landlord:
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...7e&oe=5522B5BB

Tenant Placed Smoke Detector: Steel components
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...0b&oe=552C4C85

I am always appreciative of your "thanks" so if you "Thank here" Please also "Thank" Post #1 of the thread. I Thank YOU in advance!
Continuing on our trip....

Now Lets look at some of the hardware items in an apartment that we can pull and profit from:

Copper Ground wire that was installed in 1954 but has been abandoned along many years of rehab. I get lucky when I have to pull the floor of the bath or kitchen ceiling to get these bad boys:
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...28&oe=5543E156

Copper Ground Wire Pulled: YUMMY!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...d1adce8e56e892

Door Stops: Bent, broken or worn:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...dfca791396dbd0

Door Stops: All of the bodies are steel the really old ones you get a brass screw and a brass "knub" they don't amount to much.. but every ounce counts!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...701cdb71724fcb

HVAC Vents:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...8151f469cd3ff6

HVAC Vents Pulled from this apt. All steel:
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...c8&oe=552D20F1

Light Fixtures:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...a5c54f1938327a

Light Fixtures after breakdown: Aluminum, steel and some #2 Copper wire
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...a7&oe=552FD91E

Handrail Brackets:
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...ca&oe=5530D1CA

Handrail Brackets: Although they look like brass.. they are cast aluminum. Also have steel from the screws and mounting brackets as well.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...8ad7a79ea4adc0

I am always appreciative of your "thanks" so if you "Thank here" Please also "Thank" Post #1 of the thread. I Thank YOU in advance!
Continuing on our trip....

Each window has a screen.. if they get worn or torn, they are to be replaced:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...3fae85881b85f0

One Screen Pulled with spline, plastic corner brackets and screen (All garbage sadly)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...23732fb56b5737

This was the haul of screen frames from just this apt: All Aluminum sheet:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...4b1acacda74811

Bath Tub Spout:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...d060fa49b64bb9

Bath Tub Spout: Brass, very little waste plastic here:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...040d5cd9f8d290

Sledge
From one rehabber to another.
You forgot to mention all the nice lead base paint. LOL

Abuilder: Yeah but I can't scrap the lead out of the paint HA! It would be like trying to get rich by getting the platinum off a Hard Disc Platter!
:)

Sledge, excellent thread. I do a fair bit of reno work myself and I couldn't think of anything you missed. Just a word of caution on smoke detectors. The ionization type detectors contain a small amount of radioactive isotope (Americium 241). They're hazardous when incinerated or when in close proximity for prolonged periods (I wouldn't keep a box of them beside your desk, for example.)

omg I love it I always get razzed because I pull nails out of boards for scrap if there being used or friends burn them for warmth and I get the steel that way

I would have to say great job and that you have set the bar high for this contest if someone was to beat you it would have to be a very nice breakdown!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Otto

Sledge, excellent thread. I do a fair bit of reno work myself and I couldn't think of anything you missed. Just a word of caution on smoke detectors. The ionization type detectors contain a small amount of radioactive isotope (Americium 241). They're hazardous when incinerated or when in close proximity for prolonged periods (I wouldn't keep a box of them beside your desk, for example.)

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Otto: Thanks for that tip.. I have never seen one of these before.. so that is a valuable piece of information! Thanks for bringing it to not only my attention, but anyone else reading too!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by travistemple202020

omg I love it I always get razzed because I pull nails out of boards for scrap if there being used or friends burn them for warmth and I get the steel that way

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Travis:
HA! Well everything "foreign" must be removed before I patch and paint.. so I figure "why not keep a bucket" and I toss them all into it. Gives me weight and gets recycled.. so I'm always happy with that!
:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mikeinreco

I would have to say great job and that you have set the bar high for this contest if someone was to beat you it would have to be a very nice breakdown!!!

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Thank you sir! I appreciate that very much. Usually when the admin posts an upcoming contest I haven't participated because there are some folks here that on say a "Built from Scrap" contest- they create some wicked things, great ideas, great welders in a lot of cases. Sadly, that isn't my strong suit.
So thank you mike for the kind words.. we shall see if my thread can hold up! Proud of all the folks who are busting chops to submit breakdowns.. this contest is a great one!

Yes as he said you have set the bar quite high. Awesome breakdown. Ill have to think outside the box to even try and beat this!

Outstanding!!

Sledge,

You are a patient man! Pulling all the guts out of the electrical plugs and switches. I hope the scrap processing time vs material gain adds up to your preferred hourly rate!! Seems a little thin as it stands now.

But you are doing a fine job of documenting it. Lots of detail for others to look over in the future. Keep it up!!!

Jon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sawmilleng

Sledge,

You are a patient man! Pulling all the guts out of the electrical plugs and switches. I hope the scrap processing time vs material gain adds up to your preferred hourly rate!! Seems a little thin as it stands now.

But you are doing a fine job of documenting it. Lots of detail for others to look over in the future. Keep it up!!!

Jon.

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Jon-
Thank you.. and to answer your question. I have to remove them from the wall.. so I'm getting paid my billable time to do so. Once I get them home and put them in a vice, I'm looking at about 30-45 seconds each to break down. So it of course isn't a "set the world on fire" amount of $ in the scrap.. but all of it gets added to its respective sort bucket and it all adds up over time. If left as is- I'd get sheet steel pricing and miss out on all the brass and copper $ in them.. and since I'm breaking down in my spare time, making some coin in my spare time is just fiiiiine with me.
;)

Sledge- I like your attitude!!!

Quote:

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Once I get them home and put them in a vice, I'm looking at about 30-45 seconds each to break down.

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I break down the switches and receptacles by wrapping them in a rag and then beating on them a bit with a hammer. It might be quicker than putting them in a vise. It keeps the debris from flying all over the place too.