Removing Blown In Insulation from Your Attic: Get Ready to Renovate

Blown-in insulation fills every nook and cranny of your attic, which seems like a great idea right up until you decide to take it out!

Removing blown-in or loose-fill insulation is a hot, uncomfortable, and dirty project. The process, time, and blow insulation removal costs depend on factors including the size and accessibility of the space as well as the removal method you use.

Whether you’re working with professionals or tackling it yourself, it’s helpful to understand both the steps involved and the tools needed to do the job. In this short guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about removing blown in insulation from your attic.

When Should Blown In Insulation Be Replaced?

There are several factors that you need to pay attention to in order to remove the attic insulation. Understanding these factors will help you do this job quickly and simply.

Holes	If there are empty spots where there is no attic insulation, then you need to replace your insulation immediately. Through these openings, cold and humid air enters your house. This can lead to sudden temperature changes, as well as condensation and mold formation.
Mold spores	The formation of mold indicates that there is high humidity in the attic and your old attic insulation does not cope with the amount of work. Mold can be dangerous to your body, so be careful to eliminate it as quickly as possible. In such a situation, partial replacement of insulation removal will not work, it is better to change it completely.
Litter	litter indicates that you have rodent infestations in the attic. This is very bad, since they not only injure the attic insulation material, furniture and the house itself, but also are the sources of many serious illnesses. If you are faced with smell signs, call specialists immediately or shop vac.
Temperature	If the temperature at your home is too low, then this indicates that your old insulation material in the attic is not coping and it needs to be repaired urgently.
Color	Also pay attention to the color of the insulation, if it has turned pale and acquired a dusty undertone, then you urgently need to replace it.
Leakage	Leaks or increased humidity in the ceiling may be signs of insulation water damage, especially in the attic.

For more information, visit: 6 Reasons to Remove My Old Attic Insulation.

How Long Does Attic Insulation Last

Depending on the protective material, the cellulose insulation will have its own service life. There are many factors that can affect the life of your blown in insulation from attic, but one of the main factors is the material. You need to take a responsible approach to the choice of material rodent infestation, since this way you will be able to choose the best option for yourself from a certain price category and other factors.

As a rule, the following materials have a long insulating life. They will last you a long time. And so, if you live in an old house and decide to change the cellulose insulation from attic, let’s see what options you have:

• Spray foam insulation

is a type of insulation removal can last up to 80 years. It is airtight and resistant to various weather events. It is also resistant to mold and does not absorb moisture. Timely removal of this material may be required due to rodents or necessary additional construction work. Go to How Much Does Spray Foam Insulation Cost to learn more about this energy-efficient technology.

• Fiberglass insulation

can serve from 80 to 100 years. But there is a risk that a replacement may be needed in 10-15 years. This fiberglass insulation is highly susceptible to moisture. It is effective as long as it is light, airy and fluffy.

By the way, blown in insulation from your attic has one plus, it is not necessary to completely remove the insulation. Fiberglass touches enough to apply a certain amount of new material to the damaged areas. Note that fiberglass is not only used to insulate attic spaces, but also to insulate HVAC ducts.

• Mineral wool insulation

has shelf life from 30 to 80 years. A more specific shelf life depends on its grade and basic material. This material of protective gear is also susceptible to moisture and mold growth. New home insulation can be applied to it if it is dry and undamaged. Mineral wool is often used in attics when making storage spaces: How to Make a Truss Attic Suitable for Storage: Step-by-step Instruction.

• Cellulose

lasts from 20 to 30 years. But problems may appear approximately after 15 years of operation. Cellulose is afraid of moisture and mold. If it is dry and stable, then it will dry well for the whole period, but if there is moisture, then you will need an emergency replacement in roof. The appearance of condensation in the attic can spoil the cellulose roofing in the first year.

How Does Removing Blown In Insulation Work?

After you have figured out why you need to insulation removal, let’s see what you need to do to remove the insulation in the attic.

#1 Step: Preparation

Site preparation is very important. This is how you ensure the beginning of proper free inspection and good work. Also, the preparation will help you avoid additional unwanted work and keep the house clean when you need to dispose of old insulation material in rock wool.

As a preparation, you can use: laying plastic film, moving furniture and other personal belongings outside the area, setting up a safe vacuum cleaner outside the safety precautions house.

#2 Step: Vacuum removal

Vacuum insulation removal is not removed manually, to get rid of it, you will need a vacuum with a capacity of 23 horsepower. After you transport the vacuum to a safe place (preferably outside the house), attach the hose with a diameter of 6 inches and bring it to an isolated space.

From there, specialists will begin to suck out the old insulation removal along with other garbage. The old material passes through a safety hose and is placed in special bags that do not allow any chemicals to pass through utility bills. This whole process is completely safe in attic space.

#3 Step: Installation of new insulation

After the specialists have the old insulation removal, a new one is installed. But before that, it is advisable to treat the surface of the walls from rodents and mold in attic space. All about the costs can be found here: What Is an Attic Insulation Calculator: 3 Steps before You Buy.

You have two main choices as a material:

• blown in insulation – it does not have a clear shape and will cover any irregularities well. This blown in insulation is perfect for walls in which the walls and floors are not quite smooth.
• batts and rolls – suitable for more even walls with the same texture. This material is usually more expensive. Butts and rolls are more difficult to install and have a high price tag for the materials themselves.

Once you have made your choice, refer to the U.S. Department of Energy’s online insulation guide to determine the R-value of insulation you need.

Why Should You Get New Insulation Installed After Removal?

Just like old blown insulation, a complete lack of remove attic insulation can negatively affect your home. Although removing the insulation is likely to insulate you from all the problems associated with rodents and mold, temperature problems can only be solved by installing insulation proper equipment.

Depending on the type of improvement made, the home can achieve better comfort (warmer in winter, cooler in summer), fewer drafts, lower maintenance costs, and improved security and fire safety—all of which improve life and increase the home’s value.

Without insulation, you may face the following number of serious problems:

• extreme temperatures;
• reducing the value of your home;
• increased noise pollution;
• wasted energy consumption.

Taking care of the house is very important, so you can make your home more cozy and comfortable for yourself. Instead of waiting for a replacement in the future, it is best to install new insulation immediately after dismantling.

Ready to Partner with Professionals on Attic Insulation Removal?

Perhaps one of the main and primary steps in the attic insulation project is to get a professional opinion.

Unfortunately, not all workers and companies can be honest and hide some factors. To avoid this, we recommend that you seek advice from other companies in order to get an independent opinion from various experts.

You may also need the help of other employees to clean job the attics and remove various dangerous elements, such as mold or asbestos.

How to Estimate Your Old Attic Insulation Removal Cost

Let’s take a closer look at how much it will cost to removing blown in insulation from your attic. The average price is 1-2 dollars per square foot. A more specific price depends on several factors.

The following factors are taken into account when forming the price:

• The amount of insulation materials

Your price per square foot may depend on how much insulation is present at the moment. For example, if previous homeowners have already added old insulation on top of fiberglass batting in floor joists, it will take more water damage job to remove.

• Dismantling process

Is it necessary to dismantle the current insulation manually or can it be removing blown in insulation with a vacuum cleaner job? As a rule, manual disassembly will cost you extra, as it requires more labor and usually takes longer.

• Vacuum Cleaner Access

If vacuum hose machine disassembly is used, the process will involve running a six-inch diameter hose through your attics. The hose is connected to a vacuum device in a truck outside your home loose fill. If this is not possible due to lack of space, then your attic may require dismantling manually, rather than by machine process.

• Access to the attic

How easy or difficult will it be for employees to enter your attic and move around it? Will they collide with poles, pipes, debris or other obstacles? This can affect both the methods process used and the amount of labor spent on your job.

• Presence of hazardous substances

In the presence of hazardous substances such as mold, asbestos or animal waste, removal may be required manually and may require additional actions and safety considerations, such as quarantine at home for a certain period of time.

How is the attic insulation removed?

Inspection and preparation of the attic access room for dismantling insulation installed is an important first step in this process. If there is significant contamination or contamination that needs to be cleaned and protected from the rest of the house, your removal rate will reflect this crawl space.

Some points to consider when deciding whether to use the machine or removed insulation process manually include:

• Contaminated insulation: if it contains materials such as wood chips, the insulation must be bagged and removed manually.
• Batting insulation: batting must be rolled up and removed manually.
• Blown Insulation: machine removal involves vacuuming blown insulation using an industrial device that holds the insulation until it leaves the house.

Chapter FAQ

How do you remove blown in attic insulation?

You can remove it with a special vacuum cleaner. It is completely safe and will help you get rid of unwanted isolation quickly and easily.

Should I remove blown in insulation?

Any insulation that has been subjected to any defect must be removed, as otherwise there may be problems with condensation, mold air, leaks and air temperature.

Is there a vacuum to remove blown in insulation?

Yes, you have. Such a vacuum cleaner and garbage bags has a power of at least 23 energy bills. It allows you to easily and safely get rid of unnecessary isolation.

Can blown in attic insulation make you sick?

Yes, it can. The reason for this may be an unpleasant smell or a disease. You may just catch a cold or get poisoned by asbestos fumes. You may also be allergic to mold air. In addition, you can get the disease from rodents, if they are in your isolation. Be careful.

Conclusion

Removing insulation containing mold, animal excrement, or asbestos requires careful handling to protect workers and prevent pollutants from spreading through your home during removal.

If you are planning to replace the insulation yourself, here is a video to help you: