Attic Insulation Removal – How to Remove Attic Insulation
Do you feel like your home just isn’t keeping in the warm air as well as it used to? Does it seem like cool air is quickly escaping from your house?
This might be because your attic insulation is aging and losing its effectiveness. Furthermore, degrading insulation might tip you off to other hazardous substances contaminating your home, like mold.
Like anything else in your home, your attic insulation won’t last forever. The first step is removal if you think it’s time to replace it. While this can be a huge undertaking for homeowners, knowing the proper procedures and precautions can make it a smooth process.
This article will cover everything you need to know about attic insulation removal and the proper steps to get it done effectively.
Should you remove old attic insulation?
You should consider removing your attic insulation for the following circumstances…
First and foremost, mold.
If you’ve had a roof leak or the condensation from your air conditioner dripped onto your insulation, it can hold the moisture for a long time and become a source of mold spores.
Not only does this significantly reduce the insulation’s overall effectiveness, but it also puts you and your family in danger by proliferating mold in your home.
If your attic is infested with squirrels or other critters, there’s a chance that they’ve left urine and droppings in or near your insulation.
These can be toxic and need to be removed immediately. Your insulation must be removed along with the droppings, as it’ll carry some toxicity if left in your attic.
Removing old insulation and replacing it with new insulation will not only rid your home of any rodent infestation and mold but also improve its energy efficiency and overall air quality.
Once you see signs of degradation, it’s important to take the initiative and start planning on insulation removal.
How long does it take to remove attic insulation?
Depending on who you hire for your attic insulation removal – or if you choose to do it yourself – a typical procedure might take between 4 to 18 hours.
Assuming your attic is about 1,500 square feet in size, hiring a professional team who are properly trained and are bringing the right equipment can take about 4 to 6 hours to remove your attic insulation. If you’re opting to do it yourself, you might work about 6 to 18 hours.
These hours can depend on a few different things. The overall condition of your attic is the biggest contributing factor. The amount of debris, obstructions like pillars and pipes, the amount of leg space, the types of insulation removed, and the weather can also significantly affect the time you or your contractors spend in the attic.
If you remove the insulation, you’ll probably benefit from chunking up the work. Getting a small area done and working through the attic will net you better results, though it will take much longer.
Attic Insulation Removal Basics
At this point, we’ve hopefully reinforced that attic insulation removal isn’t a walk in the park. That said, it can be DIY-ed if you have the right gear and take the proper precautions.
The Essentials
Whenever you’re dealing with a tricky procedure like this, especially in an area like the attic, we’re always going to emphasize safety. That means you’ll need to invest in protective gear to ensure this project can go off without a hitch.
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Gloves shield your hands from hazardous materials, and rubber-coated gloves work best. For insulation removal work, you’ll need at least a 95-rated mask to protect your lungs from any potential dust or mold.
The same goes for your eyes – buy reliable goggles or other eye protection with anti-fog coating. As for clothing, investing in a good pair of coveralls will ensure your skin is entirely safe from irritation and contamination. A hard hat wouldn’t hurt either since attics generally aren’t built with tall people in mind.
Finally, a flashlight is essential for seeing what you’re doing. A headlamp will be even better, as it frees up your hands while illuminating your workspace.
Equipment and Supplies
Now that you know how to protect yourself and make life easier for working up in the attic, it’s time to discuss specific equipment and supplies you’ll need for attic insulation removal. While purchasing heavy machinery isn’t necessarily a requirement, it’ll help cut down the time required to get this done.
Pay attention to what type of insulation you have as well. Blown-in cellulose insulation is usually brown and gray material that crumbles when you pick it up. Fiberglass batt insulation comes in longer and thicker pieces and is used to cover larger surface areas.
A commercial-grade insulation removal vacuum is crucial to get this done quickly. It’ll ideally run on a gas-powered engine and come with vacuum hoses, metal hose connectors, and large vacuum bags.
You’ll also need a ladder to get up into the attic and a HEPA Filtered Shop-Vac and 50-gallon waste bags. Purchase rakes and dustpans if you have blown-in insulation. Make sure you have floor and wall coverings along with tape as well.
Safety Precautions
Remember that not all attics are built to have multiple people walking around for long periods.
To make sure you’re keeping yourself safe, keep your eyes on the floor and step on floor joists only. If you step on drywall and put too much pressure on it, your foot might go through it or even your entire body.
We mentioned wearing a hard hat if possible, and that’s because your roof might have protruding nails sticking out into the attic.
Furthermore, old attics might be dusty and incredibly dirty, so investing in the gear mentioned above will keep you safe and clean.
How to remove attic insulation
Once you’ve got everything you need to remove attic insulation properly, it’s time to break down step by step how you’re going to pull this off. Depending on what type of insulation you try to remove, the process will be slightly different.
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Blown-in Cellulose Insulation
Here is a step-by-step outline on how to remove blown-in attic insulation:
- Set up equipment by the garage for easy retrieval.
- Clear the space between the attic entrance and front door and cover it with protective material.
- Set up a ladder, commercial vacuum, HEPA-filtered shop vac, rake, and dustpan in the attic.
- Put on protective gear, activate the vacuum, and start vacuuming the insulation.
- Use a rake to collect insulation into a dustpan and place it in waste bags.
- Use Shop-Vac to clean the remaining insulation.
- Repeat the process until all areas in the attic are free of old insulation.
- Take breaks every 15-20 minutes.
- Dispose of waste bags in the dumpster.
- Remove equipment, floor and wall coverings, and protective gear in a safe area away from family and furniture.
Fiberglass Batt Insulation
Here is a step-by-step outline on how to remove fiberglass batt insulation:
- Put on protective gear, including gloves, eye protection, and a dust mask, to avoid skin and eye irritation from fiberglass particles.
- Locate the edges of the insulation and use a utility knife or scissors to cut the insulation into manageable sections.
- Carefully pull the insulation out of the attic and place it into large plastic bags for disposal.
- Be sure to properly dispose of the removed insulation, as it can be a fire hazard and should not be left in the living area of the house.
- Clean the attic floor and surfaces to remove residual fibers and debris.
- Consider professional assistance if you are unsure about safely removing the insulation or have a large amount of insulation to remove.
Attic insulation removal costs
The cost of removing insulation from your attic will depend on your attic size and the surrounding conditions. On average, removing old attic insulation costs between $1 to $2 per square foot.
For example, if your attic is approximately 1500 square feet, the cost of removing insulation ranges from $1,500 to $3,000. It is important to remember that this is just an estimate, and the actual cost may vary.
Should I remove attic insulation myself or hire a pro?
The decision to remove insulation from your attic on your own or to hire a professional can be based on several factors.
If you are a seasoned DIYer comfortable with home improvement projects, you can do it yourself to save costs. However, if you are inexperienced or unfamiliar with insulation removal, it may be safer to hire a professional.
Safety should always be a top priority when removing insulation, as it is important to avoid exposure to harmful substances and to prevent injury.
Before making a decision, getting a quote from a professional insulation removal company is recommended. This will give you an idea of the cost and provide information about adding new insulation to your attic to improve energy efficiency and comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use a Shop Vac to Remove Insulation?
Removing insulation from an attic can be a dusty and time-consuming job. One way to simplify the process is to use a shop vac. A shop vac is a powerful vacuum cleaner that can quickly remove large amounts of insulation.
However, there are some limitations to using a shop vac for this purpose. First, shop vacs are not designed for use with delicate materials like fiberglass, so care must be taken to avoid damaging the insulation. Second, shop vacs can only remove loose insulation; they cannot reach into tight spaces or remove stubbornly clinging debris. Finally, shop vacs generate a lot of noise, so it is important to wear ear protection when using one.
Overall, a shop vac can be a helpful tool for removing insulation from an attic, but it is important to be aware of its limitations.
How often should attic insulation be replaced?
When it comes to attic insulation, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The frequency with which you will need to replace your insulation will depend on a number of factors, including the type of insulation you have, the climate in your area, and the level of ventilation in your attic.
In general, however, most types of insulation will need to be replaced every 10-15 years. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures or if your attic is poorly ventilated, you may need to replace your insulation more frequently. Replacing attic insulation can be a bit of a hassle, but it’s important to do it regularly in order to maintain a comfortable home and keep energy costs down.
Find the right method and effectively remove attic insulation
Removing old attic insulation will improve your home’s energy efficiency once it’s replaced, while also protecting you and your family from dangerous substances such as rodent contamination and mold. Use this article to find the best course of action for removing your attic insulation.
Get a free attic inspection and quote to remove old insulation.