Altoona scrap follows the warehouses, not the skyline
Altoona sits on the I-80 logistics belt. When a distribution tenant leaves, the metal is racking, dock plates, and light structural steel, sometimes with a mezzanine that is still bolted down. That is a scheduled pickup, not a trunk load, and the yard needs to know about height and whether a forklift stays on site.
Closer to the outlets and the amusement corridor, retail remodels throw aluminum frames and stainless fixtures on a tighter timeline. Households nearby add the usual appliances. Keep those separate from the warehouse steel or the whole load gets the cheap grade.
Local prices vary by yard. Send a photo for a quote. We do not publish a Altoona scale sheet.
Des Moines Scrap is an independent referral service that connects you with local scrap yards.
Contractor scrap form · Gold and silver · Cash for cars
Altoona scrap: identify the metal before loading
A magnet is a quick first check for steel or iron: if it sticks, the piece is likely ferrous. Copper, aluminum, and brass are generally non-ferrous and will not attract a magnet. This is only a sorting clue, not a grade test. Some stainless steel can be magnetic, so ask the receiving yard how it wants unusual or mixed material identified.
Copper grades can differ even when the pieces look similar. Bare bright is clean, uncoated copper wire; #1 copper is generally clean pipe or solid copper with limited attachments; #2 may include solder, oxidation, paint, or other contamination. Insulated wire is graded with its covering in place. Yard definitions vary, so photos of each separated group help the yard assess it.
Aluminum and brass also have different forms and grades. Extrusions, sheet, cast pieces, and cans may not be treated alike, while brass fittings can contain steel stems or other attached parts. Dirt, concrete, plastic, and fasteners can lower a load's grade or require extra sorting. Separate obvious types, but do not spend time dismantling an item unless the yard says the added labor makes sense.
Prepare an Altoona scrap pickup safely
Before requesting a pickup, note what the material is, roughly how much there is, and whether it is loose, bundled, or attached to equipment. Send clear photos from more than one angle, including close-ups of markings or contamination. Tell the partner yard about access limits, overhead obstructions, and whether the load can be reached without moving other property. Confirm who provides loading equipment.
Keep the material stable and accessible. Do not climb onto an uneven pile or stand beneath a suspended load. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling sharp sheet metal, wire ends, or cut pipe, and keep other people clear of the loading area. Do not cut into sealed tanks, cylinders, or pressurized equipment to make a load smaller; ask the yard how it handles those items.
Refrigerant appliances need special care. Do not cut refrigerant lines or try to release the contents yourself; ask the partner yard what condition and preparation it requires. This site connects sellers with independent yards and does not buy or weigh the material. Confirm accepted items, identification, payment process, and the yard's weigh-ticket procedure directly before the pickup is arranged.
Questions
Does a magnet tell me exactly what my scrap is worth?
No. A magnet can help separate likely steel or iron from non-ferrous metal, but it cannot establish a sale grade or price. Stainless steel may also behave differently depending on its composition. Keep questionable pieces separate, photograph them, and ask the receiving yard to identify them.
Should I clean or strip metal before asking for a quote?
Remove loose dirt or non-metal attachments only when it is safe and practical. Do not strip insulated wire automatically: the labor takes time, and a yard may prefer to grade it with insulation attached. Ask how the yard treats your wire type before cutting or stripping a large amount.
Can I leave a refrigerator or air conditioner with ordinary scrap?
Ask the partner yard first. Appliances containing refrigerant may need proper evacuation before they can be accepted, and requirements can vary by item and yard. Do not puncture lines or remove components to prepare the unit. Include the appliance type and condition in your photos and description.
What should I ask about a junk car's title before pickup?
Ask the receiving yard what ownership documents it requires for that specific vehicle and situation. Title and paperwork requirements can vary, so confirm them before arranging a tow. Have the vehicle details and your available documents ready, and do not assume a bill of sale or registration will substitute for a title.
Can I remove a catalytic converter before a vehicle is picked up?
Check with the yard before removing or selling a converter separately. The yard may ask for vehicle or ownership information and documentation, and requirements can differ. Keep the converter linked to the vehicle and its paperwork until you have confirmed what the receiving yard will accept.