How to Salvage Old Building Materials

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Some materials do not lend themselves to efficient salvaging. Wood shingles and shakes (roof and wall), unless they're thick and in good shape, just get in the way of other salvage work. Lighter shingles and shakes are more useful for starting fires than for anything else (and then only if they're not painted or treated).

Sheetrock (or gypsum board) is essentially not salvageable; the same is true of most commercial insulation materials. Avoid reusing old rock wool ("filthy" best describes this stuff), fiberglass, and other undesirable materials.

Older buildings may have cedar shavings as ceiling insulation (ours did). This can be scooped up, bagged, and saved for pet beds or sachets for mothproofing drawers or closets. Don't reuse them as insulation; they're a fire hazard.

Fixtures, doors, and windows may be the only items to seek in new construction. Framing lumber may not be worth the effort. Of the common "modern" wood-based building materials, plywood is one of the few that can be readily salvaged.

Each salvage situation calls for its own evaluation of time versus money, quantity versus need, quality, appearance, and so on. Personal judgments are an important factor. An analysis blind to these values might make some salvaging efforts seem uneconomical, but to those doing the work it may be well worth it.

Most of what you salvage can be had with almost no need for power tools. Good hammers (one curved claw, one flat) and a "wonder bar" (a small multipurpose pry bar/crowbar/nail puller), plus leather gloves, safety glasses, dust masks, and ladders are the primary tools. Small hand tools (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, pipe wrench) are occasionally useful, as are a full-size crowbar, a hand sledge, and a full-size sledgehammer.

A reciprocating saw (often called a "sawzall") with the correct blade types can cut hidden or stubborn nails, screws, and plumbing pipes that are blocking disassembly. If there is no power at the salvage site, consider borrowing or renting a generator.

Some physical strength and dexterity are necessary, but with patience, almost anyone can learn basic deconstruction skills. The only essentials are a willingness to pay attention to how things come apart and to listen to those with experience. In a group salvage effort, some folks can focus on the heavy work, some can take apart the "details"—and some can bring lunch and cold drinks.

From Communities magazine (Summer 1998). Subscriptions: $18/yr. (4 issues) from the Fellowship for Intentional Community, Box 169, Masonville, CO 80541-0169.

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