Selling copper pipe and fittings: what to separate and what to show
A practical guide to plumbing copper, attachments and clearer load information.
Show the pipe as it is
Start with an overview of the complete plumbing scrap load. Explain whether it contains clean cut tube, used pipe, mixed fittings or material from a strip-out. Include close-ups of representative pieces. You do not need to polish the copper or make it look new for an initial assessment.
Keep different materials visible
Where practical, keep copper tube apart from brass valves, steel clips, insulated pipe and general site rubbish. If the load is already mixed, say so and show the mixture. Copper fittings, brass fittings and copper/aluminium AC coils should not be described as one uniform copper grade.
Solder, paint and attachments matter
Soldered joints, paint, heavy oxidation, insulation and attached components can change how a load is graded. Show these openly. A higher-looking advertised rate for clean material is not automatically the payable rate for a mixed plumbing load. Ask how attachments and any non-payable weight will be treated.
Ask before spending time on preparation
Removing accessible loose rubbish is different from spending hours dismantling assemblies. Ask what separation would actually change the offer before doing extra work. Do not use heat, chemicals or unsafe methods to remove fittings or coatings just to improve the appearance of scrap.
Describe quantity, packaging and access
Give the suburb and measured weight if known. Otherwise describe the number of bags, bins or bundles and choose “Not sure” in the form. For collection, mention long lengths, protruding ends, sharp edges, loading equipment and vehicle access. Confirm acceptance and handover details before transport.
Confirm the purchase calculation
Before agreeing a sale, confirm the assessed grade, net payable weight, rate and total, plus any agreed charges. Request clarity where different materials are weighed separately. An enquiry is not a purchase contract or collection booking. Photo ID and sale authority checks take place before purchase, and Copperex pays by bank transfer. Include a company and project reference if the material belongs to a business.