How To Remove Blown In Insulation
If you’re searching “How to remove blown in insulation” you’re likely a homeowner or general contractor this guide will help you. Loose fill or blown in insulation needs to be removed due to rodent damage, water damage, to make room for new insulation, or even to change to a new insulation type. Another popular reason is when the attic space is being finished to become part of the livable area in the home.
Steps To Remove Blown In Insulation
To remove old blown in insulation from your attic or home you need to have the right tools, equipment, and prepare the work area. In addition, you’ll want to have the right safety equipment to protect your health.
1. Tools & Equipment Collection
Before you open up the attic you should have everything you need ready to start your job. This will include a ladder, garbage bags, vacuum, tarp, and protective gear. The protective gear you should have includes long pants and shirts, respirator, gloves, and goggles. It’s important to protect your skin and lungs from the potential dust and old insulation.
2. Identify The Insulation
Before you go to filling up bags with old blown in insulation identifying what type you have is very important. You can get an asbestos test kit to ensure your not dealing with something truly dangerous. Some older properties were insulated with asbestos insulation which has led to many cases of mesothelioma. Use your test kit to determine if you are dealing with asbestos and completely cease your project should it test positive for it. Call a profession insulation removal company to take care of this incredibly dangerous type of insulation.
3. Prevent Insulation or Dust From Spreading
Once you’re 100% sure you don’t have asbestos you can start by restricting the insulation to the attic. Make sure your close all the doors inside the house and if there’s a doorway to the attic hang a heavy piece of plastic over it to prevent dust and other irritants from spreading into your home.
4. Create a Safe Workspace
Most attics that feature blown in insulation don’t have solid floors and may just have the ceiling joists with the insulation spread over it. To make it a safer and easier environment to work in you should place wooden plants that are about 6 inches wide across the joists. This makes it so you’ll be able to walk around the attic and get the work done.
5. Place A Tarp & Clear The Path
As you fill up the large garbage bags you’ll be carrying them outside and need a place to put them. Lay the tarp on the ground and as you carry the bags out place them on the tarp. Make sure before you start filling bags that the path from the attic and out the door to the home is clear of obstructions. You want to be able to get the bags out of the home as easily and quickly as possible.
6. Put On Safety Gear
Before you climb up in the attic make sure you have your long sleeve shirt on along with long pants. Put on your googles, gloves, and respirator and begin putting the bags, vacuum, and other tools you’ll need up into the attic. Make sure that as long as you’re in the attic and handling the insulation you wear all of your safety gear. It protects your eyes, skin, and lungs from irritation.
7. Vacuum Out The Blown In Insulation
The next step is to vacuum up the blown in insulation. You can use a wet/dry vacuum, or you can rent a HEPA industrial filtered vacuum. If you use your own wet/dry vacuum you’ll need to stop periodically and empty the blown in insulation into your large trash bags. This will mean a significant amount of particulates in the air which is why we stress the use of a respirator and other safety gear. If you opt for a HEPA industrial filtered vacuum the insulation and dust is first sucked into the system and then routed directly into large bags or a container outside. The HEPA vacuum cuts down on your exposure to the insulation and how long it will take to complete the insulation removal.
8. Disposing of Blown In Insulation
Depending on the size of your attic or home there may be a large number of bags of blown in insulation to dispose of. Call your city’s waste management number to find out more on how to dispose of your insulation in your area. Avoid packing the bags into your vehicle as it will transfer the dust and unhealthy inhalation hazards into your car or truck.
Phoenix Valley Insulation Removal
Removing blown in insulation from your attic or home takes some time and some work. If you don’t have the time, desire, or ability to take care of this project for yourself, Barrier Insulation is here to help! We remove blown in insulation along with any other type of insulation you have in your attic, walls, or anywhere else in your home. We can remove moldy, pest damage, sagging, or outdated insulation to make way for a newer more effective insulation solution for your property in the Phoenix Valley.
For more information about our insulation removal services please call 602-499-2922.