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Since water heaters are primarily made of metal, they’re commonly accepted by scrap yards and collectors. Don’t expect to fetch a high price, though—water heaters are mostly steel and aluminum, which aren’t high-value metals. Some components are made of more valuable metals, like brass and copper, but they’re a small portion of the heater and won’t affect the price much.

Some states require welders to be licensed and certified, while others don’t. However, it’s always a good idea to hire a licensed welder, regardless of requirements in your area, especially if you need welding for structural components of your home or gas lines. Licensed welders have gone through training and testing to prove their skills, so they’re less likely to make a mistake that could be detrimental to your home. Use Angi’s state licensing tool to determine whether your potential hire has a welding license.

The best tool for cutting metal ducts depends on the duct's shape and thickness. For round ducts, a duct cutter provides accurate, clean cuts. Reciprocating saws equipped with metal-cutting blades are versatile and suitable for both round and rectangular ducts. They offer speed and precision, especially for thicker metal. 

Tin snips are handy for intricate cuts or smaller ducts. However, an angle grinder with a metal-cutting wheel is powerful and efficient for large or thick metal ducts. 

When choosing a metal roof, consider not only the area of the roof but also the thickness of the panel, known as the gauge. Common roofing gauge sizes for metal roofs are 24-gauge and 26-gauge. The smaller the gauge size, the thicker the roof. Usually, a thicker gauge is ideal if your house is in an area that sees a lot of rain, snow, or hail, as it will be less likely to dent.