Adding insulation to the attic is generally a moderately difficult do-it-yourself (DIY) project, but the benefits can be substantial. If you are doing a major home renovation project, now may be a great time to tackle this project too.
While it is possible to install attic insulation on your own, we always recommend hiring a professional. To ensure that services such as isolation are completed successfully, you will need the appropriate equipment.
If your loft is easy to access and has no damp or condensation problems, it should be easy to insulate – and in many cases, it is possible to do it yourself. If access is easy and your loft joists are regular, you can use rolls of mineral wool insulation.
For example, loft cleaning, boards if needed, or specialist equipment to remove old insulation. Can I remove loft insulation myself? Because of the health and safety precautions you should take, we would not recommend any unqualified individual remove loft insulation themselves.
Removing the old insulation would be more beneficial than leaving it. The older insulation is no longer effective because it has compressed over time. You'll also be able to get a more consistent r-value from the newer insulation because the older insulation is likely variable in height.
Loft insulation usually lasts 40 years or more if properly maintained and pays for itself many times over its lifespan. However, this greatly depends on how well it was installed and the type of material used.
Do I Have To Remove Old Insulation? Unless your insulation is wet, moldy or infested with pests, you don't need to remove it before adding insulation on top of it. ENERGY STAR® recommends that you inspect your insulation for signs of mold, mildew, moisture and pest infiltration before making this determination.
Too much Insulation with a minimum amount of ventilation will result in condensation forming as the warm air has nowhere to escape to. It can also result from insulation being improperly installed such as too many layers being laid on top of each other or if it is too tightly packed.
Any reputable insulation installer will thoroughly remove old insulation before putting in the new. However, as a homeowner, you should double-check that they remove all of the old insulation as a first step.
One important thing to remember is that insulation should never be pushed right into the eaves because it will interfere with airflow. If you're going for a warm loft then you'll need much more insulation to be able to cover the underside of the roof along with the gable and party walls.
In many cases you can add new insulation on top of old insulation, unless the old insulation is wet, mouldy, or vermiculite. If the old insulation is dry but appears to have previously been wet, you should look for the cause and repair the problem.
To qualify for free cavity, internal wall, loft or roof room insulation, someone living in the property needs to be in receipt of at least one of the benefits listed below: Child Tax Credit. Housing Benefit (not the single person's 25% Council Tax reduction) Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance.
Standards for these permits vary across the country, but insulation is typically one of the required permits and often needs to be inspected.
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.
Squashing your insulation reduces its effectiveness by 50%
Numerous studies on the topic have indicated that there's a huge number of Britons who don't understand why doing this is so problematic. Mineral wool type insulation (the most common loft insulation) needs to retain its full depth in order to work effectively.
Unless it's been damaged, loft insulation should last for around 80 to 100 years. It often depends on the material though. For example, spray foam insulation can last up to 80 years, while foamboard and mineral wool insulation can last a whole century before it needs replacing.
If your attic is accessible and not too difficult to move around in, and you enjoy tackling bigger home improvement projects, attic insulating may be a good DIY project. Otherwise, consider finding a contractor to complete the project for you.
Old and deteriorating insulation can trap dust, allergens, and mold, leading to poor indoor air quality. Replacing your attic insulation can help mitigate these issues, promoting a healthier living environment for you and your family.
Older insulation materials might not be fully compliant with fire safety standards, so a specialist needs to make that assessment. It's also important to look for outdated materials like asbestos. It could constitute a health hazard. Any insulation containing this material needs to be replaced.
It shouldn't be a surprise that the bigger your home, the longer it will take to complete an insulation installation. Small homes may be completed in a few hours or one working day, while a large home will take more labor and may take multiple days.
SAVINGS AND COMFORT
EPA estimates that homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs (or an average of 11% on total energy costs) by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces and basements.