Recycling a House

On my dog walk, I pass this almost every day:

They are clearing the lot for what is probably another McMansion.

Pfft…McMansion – really a full on one, in this neighborhood at least.

They took the place apart piece by piece. Note the stack of wood to the left. Behind, there’s a stack of bricks. They eventually banded them up like they were new.

This makes sense. The wood used to build these houses back in the ’60s would be expensive, even if you could find it, these days. That tub is probably solid cast iron. The ductwork, all galvanized, thick steel. Thicker than the new stuff.

By the end of week two, there was a bobcat breaking up the foundation. Very little, if any, mess.

Usually what happens around here is you see the realtor/developer sign at a darkened house. Then one day, you see a few trucks outside. This is where the dudes come in and strip the wiring and plumbing. Just as you get used to seeing that, the next day, it’s just a mountain of debris.

There has to be decent money in it. Hell, the it appears that this is all the recycle company doing this does. I’m sure it’s cheaper for the builder than getting the heavy machines and dump trucks to do it the old fashioned way.

I hate seeing these old houses destroyed. But at least some good comes of it this time.