In most cases, you do not need to remove old insulation. As long as it is dry, undamaged, and free of pests, you can save money and hassle by simply laying a fresh layer of insulation on top to boost your home's thermal efficiency.
Should I remove old loft insulation before laying new? Older insulation material will typically need to be removed before adding new insulation. However, in some cases the material may be in good condition, meaning you can simply top up the existing insulation material for a fraction of the cost of a full replacement.
Whether or not you need to remove the existing insulation depends on its condition. Removing old insulation is generally recommended if it's damaged, contaminated with mold, or infested with pests.
Asbestos loft insulation can be identified, it has a fluffy almost candy like appearance which is usually either a white or blue/grey colour. However, in the vast majority of cases it is impossible to tell whether Asbestos is present or not in a material with just the naked eye.
Loft insulation cannot be recycled or disposed of in your local council's kerbside rubbish or recycling bin, box or bag. Loft insulation can be brought to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
We use a product called DSV for this important step. DSV is a Disinfectant, Sanitizer, and Virucide. When sprayed or fogged in your attic, it kills the odors left behind from the urine, feces, and afterbirth of rats, mice, squirrels, and bats.
Loft insulation is typically non-combustible, and modern loft insulation is made of materials such as mineral wool, fibreglass, or sheep's wool, all of which are non-flammable. Loft insulation is generally not dangerous when properly installed and maintained, as modern materials are considered safe for residential use.
Your lungs can naturally clear some inhaled asbestos fibers through coughing and a mucus-clearing process, but many fibers become permanently lodged deep inside lung tissue. There is no medical treatment or procedure to remove embedded fibers once they are inside.
Pink or yellow loft insulation materials are older insulation sheets that used to contain asbestos as a primary ingredient. As such, yellow loft insulation and similar materials posed serious health risks during and after installation such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and irritation.
The "pink fluffy stuff" in your attic is fiberglass insulation. It is made by melting a mixture of sand and recycled glass, then spinning it into tiny, lightweight fibers. The pink color is simply a trademark created by the major manufacturer Owens Corning in the 1950s as a marketing strategy.
Insulating a 2,000 sq. ft. attic costs between $2,000 and $9,000, with most homeowners paying around $3,600 to $5,800 for professional installation. The wide price range depends on the type of insulation, labor rates, and whether old insulation requires removal.
Mice are curious and always searching for safe, snug, and warm nesting sites. Attics filled with blown-in insulation provide an excellent option–from the mice's point of view. As long as there is a ready food source. Mice are omnivorous and will eat and chew on almost anything including wood and electrical wires.
Installing new insulation over old is a viable option for keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. However, the current insulation must be in good condition. It's vital that a professional insulation technician inspect your current insulation before adding another layer.
How age affects insulation performance: Older homes built in the 1970s or earlier need to have their insulation replaced, especially if the insulation hasn't been replaced since. Common types of insulation in older homes include old fibreglass batts, cellulose, rockwool, foil, sawdust, wool, and polyester.
Because spray foam can trap moisture, hide the condition of the roof, make it difficult for surveyors to inspect, which means risks like timber decay, dry rot, and not forgetting increased fire risk. If you've got it or you're buying a property that does, this is something you need to know upfront.
Should I do the project myself or hire a contractor? 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.
Yes, mice will chew through and burrow into rockwool (mineral wool) insulation. While it is denser than fiberglass and inedible, its fibrous texture makes it an incredibly appealing, warm nesting material for rodents.
Pink insulation is typically made of fibreglass and does not contain asbestos.
Yes, your lungs can get rid of fiberglass, but how effectively they do it depends on the size of the fibers and where they end up in your respiratory tract.
While there is no completely safe level of asbestos exposure, a single 30-minute exposure is generally considered low-risk and highly unlikely to cause illness. Asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, are typically linked to heavy, long-term or repeated occupational exposure over many years.
Asbestos insulation often looks fluffy and loose, similar to candyfloss or cotton wool. It can appear white, grey, or blue-grey in colour, with a slightly shiny or fibrous texture.
Foam insulation is a common target because it's easy for them to chew through. The material offers little resistance, allowing mice to create tunnels or nests within the insulation. But mice aren't just interested in chewing for the sake of it—they're also drawn to the warmth and shelter insulation provides.
Inhaling a small amount of asbestos rarely causes immediate symptoms, as your body naturally clears most of these fibers. However, there is no completely safe level of exposure. Trapped fibers can permanently lodge in lung tissue, increasing the long-term risk of severe, delayed illnesses.
The most famous actor who died of mesothelioma is Hollywood icon Steve McQueen.
Asbestos-Related Death Statistics
Of all the conditions, asbestos-related lung cancer claims the most lives. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer and is, therefore, the second-leading cause of death from asbestos exposure.