At the end of the day, there are no magic tricks to removing blown in insulation from attic easily or in a snap—aside from hiring a professional. Once you're done, you'll be a critical step closer to making your house a home that uses less energy and provides more protection and comfort!
It's going to get everywhere and make an even bigger mess, so you will need to get a vacuum to remove insulation from the attic. We use a 1,500-horsepower shop vac when we do the removal, and in most cases, hook that to a second attic insulation removal vacuum to get the suction we need.
How Long Does Attic Insulation Removal Take? For a 1,500-square-foot attic, professional removal of blown-in insulation without hazardous complications can take as little as 4 to 6 hours to complete.
Is Blown-In Fiberglass Safe To Touch? Depending on where you're shopping, you may see promotional materials where installers touch fiberglass insulation with bare hands. Some insulation installers do install fiberglass without wearing gloves. However, we do not recommend touching fiberglass insulation with bare hands.
You can spread the insulation the old-fashioned way – by hand – pouring the material straight out of the bags into the cavities between the floor joists. Spread it around with a garden rake or broom. To coax it into difficult-to-reach areas, try a yardstick or short pole. Leave it loose, not packed down.
The job can be done, however, as long as you have the proper equipment, a professional insulation removal team, and take all the necessary safety precautions. If you're interested in this process, but want to learn more about it, read on for everything you need to know about removing blown in insulation.
While touching fiberglass doesn't usually lead to long-term effects on your health, exposure to it may cause intense itching, redness, or a rash. So, it's important to remove fiberglass from your skin as soon as possible so it doesn't come in contact with your eyes, nose, or throat.
Blown-In Cellulose Particles Are Paper.
Unlike glass fibers, cellulose isn't dangerous to breathe. However, it can irritate your lungs. If you have pre-existing allergies, the dust of cellulose insulation can be obnoxious.
While cellulose insulation itself is treated to be mold-resistant, the surrounding structure may not be. Understanding how and why mold is likely to occur can help you prevent serious structural damage. Given these risks, swift action is imperative if you suspect your cellulose insulation has become wet.
The formaldehyde levels from the test results (12.7 µg/m3) are at 20% of those allowed by GREENGUARD (61.4 µg/m3). It is good to know that blown-in-cellulose insulation is indeed a low-emitting product!
Expect costs of between $1 and $2 per square foot to remove insulation, with blown-in varieties near the lower end and rigid types near the top end. Keep in mind that those prices are for dry and in good condition non-asbestos insulation.
Types of Insulation
Insulation that can be removed by hand – Batt and roll insulation—also known as insulation blankets—are strips of insulated material that are shaped to fit between the slats and boards of your home. This is the only type of insulation that can be removed by hand, due to its rigid structure.
Mold and Mildew Growth
Having too much insulation in your attic can allow for the accumulation of moisture. This leads to mold and mildew growth, which can be extremely bad for your health.
Call your local waste-management office and ask what to do with the insulation of your type. In some cases, you can place the bags out with your regular trash. In others, you will have to take it to a designated area at the dump.
Look for insulation blower rental equipment in The Home Depot Tool Rental Center to help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Heating and cooling costs are the biggest portion of utility bills for the average homeowner.
Long-sleeved shirts and long-legged pants, gloves, and head coverings are generally recommended to protect against skin irritation when working with fiberglass insulation. In some cases, eye protection and respiratory protection may also be necessary.
Do not try to move cellulose by hand or other obscure tools; it may cause a mess throughout your attic space and home. At a minimum, you will need a high-powered 1500 HP-plus bucket vacuum to have adequate suction power to remove the insulation.
Wet insulation in a wall will migrate to the bottom soaking the wallboard and framing materials. Wetness (existing even just for a few days) will not only reduce the insulating quality of the insulation, but it might not dry soon enough to prevent mold and wood decay from forming.
Also, as that outside air moves through the cellulose, pollen, bacteria, and mold spores can cling to it. This becomes an issue when those particles are then circulated back through the home. If you suffer from allergies or asthma, this can cause a real problem.
Moisture Sensitivity: One of the major drawbacks of blown-in insulation is its susceptibility to moisture. If your attic has a moisture problem or experiences water leaks, the insulation can become damp, leading to mold growth and reduced effectiveness.
In general, the color of insulation doesn't equal better performance over another color. Whether it's pink, white, brown, or yellow—color doesn't influence dependability, reliability, or the products effectiveness.
Insulation exposure can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. Symptoms include itchiness, redness, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Prolonged exposure can lead to more severe health issues like lung disease or cancer.
Pink insulation is fiberglass. Strands of fiberglass bound together by what are often unhealthy chemicals. You can't touch it. Or you can, but it will leave you itching.