The use of used metal in construction – the pros and cons

First, let’s find out for what reasons the metal could be written off and decommissioned:

• Dismantling of unnecessary or outdated structures, modernization, reconstruction of production, emergency collapse due to technology disruption or force majeure, including natural disasters. In these cases, it often turns out that metal structures are quite suitable for reuse, because they themselves could not suffer at all.
• The presence of significant defects, corrosion, expiration of the standard service life. This is already much worse, such metal structures and parts may turn out to be really worn out and unsuitable for reuse..

Therefore, you should always clarify from which object, for what reasons, the metal you are interested in was written off. This is very important, because, for example, pipes for hot water supply and heating wear out faster due to exposure to steam, unlike pipes from a gas or oil pipeline, where they are initially stronger. Remember such a concept as “metal fatigue”, which means the gradual accumulation of structural damage under the influence of alternating and cyclic stresses.

What types of used metal are most in demand:

• seamless steel pipes;
• bent-welded pipes;
• beams, including I-beams;
• rails;
• corners;
• channels;
• fittings;
• square steel, sheets.

Why used metal is so popular is easy to understand – its price is usually at least 30%, and often 60% less than that of new rolled products. Savings are evident, which is the most important reason for homeowners deciding to start building.

Where can you use metal parts and structures that have already been in use:

• Fence posts. This is one of the simplest and most common options. For example, pipes for sewerage and water supply have served their purpose, are written off. But after all, they are quite suitable for a fence and will last for many years.!
• Sewer and water protection sleeves.
• All kinds of outbuildings, garages, sheds. It is definitely possible and necessary to save on these structures, so used metal turns out to be just the way.
• Used pipe gutters.
• Some elements of formwork, retaining walls, foundation fixings.
• Elements of ceilings, lintels over window and door openings, flight stairs.

We state: second-hand metal, of course, cannot be used in such difficult cases as the construction of a heat pipeline, gas pipeline, load-bearing elements of residential buildings. If the structure is simple (garage, barn), temporary or simple (fence, fence, outdoor shower, arch under the vineyard, change house) – the metal that has already been used will save money and at the same time get a structure, a structure that will last long enough. And to give metal parts an attractive appearance and protect against rust, special paint will help.

You can go for used metal to scrap metal collection points, second-hand metal, to private suppliers, directly to large enterprises engaged in the reconstruction or reorganization of their workshops, construction companies engaged in the dismantling of various structures. In any case, when choosing a material, you must pay attention to the following details:

• To clarify exactly where the metal came from, where it was used, how it was used, we already wrote about this above.
• Clarify the steel grade and its class.
• Examine rolled metal for damage. To do this, you should clean the metal from paint (if any) at least in one place, remove rust in order to see the thickness of its layer, examine it for dents, cracks, deflections, changes in the section. That is, study very carefully in order to reject completely unusable parts.
• Often it is impossible to visually determine important parameters. Therefore, you should use an ultrasonic thickness gauge (especially important for pipes), measure with a caliper, use a flaw detector. These devices can be rented, ask friends at the time of purchasing metal.

Practice shows that in many cases the use of used metal is a justified step. You just need to choose the right material and use it wisely.