Removing old insulation can be a messy, expensive DIY project. It’s important to understand how the process works before getting started.
For blown-in insulation (cellulose or fiberglass), it’s best to rent an insulation removal vacuum with a bag. This will minimize the spread of unhealthy particles throughout your home. Contact Perth Insulation Removal now!
Insulation in the attic helps to keep conditioned air inside the home and reduces outside noises. It also can provide more consistent temperatures between floors and ceilings and helps to reduce energy costs.
Attic insulation is typically made of rolled batting or fiberglass and can be difficult to remove on your own unless you have a lot of time and the proper equipment. It is recommended that you call a professional to complete the job. The cost of the service can add up, but you will save on buying or renting the equipment as well as time and effort.
Blown-in cellulose and fiberglass insulation can be more of a challenge for homeowners to remove on their own as it is tucked into every nook and cranny in the attic and may take up to 8 hours to completely remove. It is a good idea to cover any furniture in the rooms below the attic before beginning the project and to take frequent breaks and use a dust mask or respirator when working in the attic. It is also a good idea to cover up any wiring or electrical boxes that are located in the attic before you start working.
The blown-in insulation will need to be bagged and taken away for disposal. You will need to check with your local waste management authority to see if they will recycle this material or if you need to take it to a landfill.
It is important to note that old attic insulation can contain hazardous materials such as asbestos. It is important to have it tested and replaced with a newer product once any contaminated materials are identified.
When you replace attic insulation it will allow for a more efficient use of the conditioned air in your home and will help to make your home feel more comfortable year-round. The benefits of a new attic insulation can improve your overall home comfort, cut down on energy costs and increase the value of your property. If you are considering installing new attic insulation, be sure to consider the benefits that come with it and contact a local insulation contractor for more information on the products they offer.
Walls
A home’s walls are a vital part of the structure and can affect everything from indoor air quality to energy efficiency. For this reason, it’s important to make sure your home’s insulation is in good condition. In some cases, this means having it removed and replaced. The best way to do this depends on the type of insulation you have in your home.
If you have batt or roll insulation, it can usually be removed using a hammer and flathead screw driver to remove staples holding strips of the material between wall studs. You’ll also need a pair of work gloves, a mask and protective outfit to keep the fiberglass from irritating your skin and lungs. Once the staples are removed, you can carefully roll the insulation out of the holes in your wall and place it into garbage bags for disposal. If you have loose-fill insulation, like blown-in cellulose or fiberglass, you may need to use a professional vacuum system. In this case, the company will remove a couple bricks of the facade at the bottom of the wall before drilling holes in strategic positions and using an extraction system to suck out the old insulation material. The material is then placed into large garbage bags for safe disposal.
The most common reason for insulation removal is to upgrade to a better insulation material. This will improve your home’s energy efficiency and create a healthier living environment for you and your family.
Another reason for insulation removal is to replace damaged material. Damaged insulation can trap moisture, which can lead to mold or mildew. This can lead to health problems and compromise the integrity of your home’s structural components.
A last reason for insulation removal is when you’re remodeling or renovating your home. This is when the insulation may need to be removed in order for you to access drywall and other materials. When this is the case, it’s important to hire a professional that can ensure your safety and that the job is done properly.
Floors
Insulation in the attic floor is usually not as old as the insulation in the walls or ceiling but can be affected by pests, water damage, general wear and tear and more. Often times this means that it needs to be removed and replaced. If you are going to turn the attic into a bedroom or studio it can also be very helpful to remove attic floor insulation.
Old attic floor insulation can be a source of mold, rot and other structural issues in the house that will eventually compromise the integrity of the home. This is because when it is exposed to moisture and the attic becomes warmer than the living space below it it will promote condensation. This can cause a lot of damage in the attic and trusses. It can also lead to a lot of health issues for the family because the spores will be brought down into the living space in the form of dust and airborne allergens.
When the old attic floor insulation is removed it will allow for better airflow in the attic. This is important because it will help to make the attic cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter which will help with energy efficiency and can save on cooling costs. This can also prevent unwanted heat from entering the home through the attic which will reduce heating costs.
During the attic floor insulation removal process, we will need to remove and replace the wires and ductwork in the attic. We will need to carefully remove the old blown in fiberglass in order to access the ductwork and wires. This is a large task and should be done by a professional to avoid any damages to the electrical systems or plumbing in the home.
Lastly, we will need to clean up the mess and dispose of the insulation in a proper manner. We recommend using a dumpster rental company like Vine Disposal for this because it is too dangerous and hazardous to place in your household trash bins.
Basement
The basement is often poorly insulated and offers a good opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of the house. However, a lot of work is required to get the most out of this area of the home. Adding insulation can dramatically reduce the stress on HVAC systems and create a more comfortable space to relax.
The first concern to address is the presence of moisture within the walls. This is usually easy to determine. During a renovation, it is recommended that the basement be completely dry to avoid a mold or mildew problem down the road. The best way to accomplish this is by conducting a simple moisture test. Tape a piece of plastic sheeting to a bare concrete wall with an impermeable duct tape border and let it sit for 48 hours. If the plastic reflects water, it is likely that the basement has significant moisture problems which should be addressed before proceeding with insulation.
When insulating the basement, it is important to use a high-quality fire retardant product, such as a spray-on fire-rated foam. This type of insulation is not available in fiberglass and can offer a superior R-value. It is also typically made from 30% recycled materials and can slow the spread of flames in the event of a fire. This is particularly important for basements that are used as living spaces.
It is generally advisable to insulate the rim joists of slab-on-grade foundations as well (see Part 6.1, Insulating the Basement from the Outside). This will help to reduce heat loss and air leakage from the basement.
Fiberglass, mineral wool and rigid foam insulation are all suitable for basement wall construction. XPS foam is especially good because it has a low permeance and resists moisture. It is also more durable than other foams.
Foam boards can be attached to wood framing, metal studs or concrete blocks. When doing this, make sure to cover the exposed surface with a code-approved moisture barrier or a 1/2-inch drywall assembly.
Ideally, the entire basement wall should be covered with an exterior-grade vapor barrier to prevent moisture from damaging the insulation and framing material. In addition, doors from the basement to the outside should be replaced with minimum R-5 insulated doors and fully weather-stripped.