Insulation is one of the most effective ways to save electricity bills, especially in winter. However, the insulation must be in a proper condition. For example, the distribution should be even. Another thing you need to make sure of is that the insulation is no older than 10 years.
Sometimes you need to redo the insulation in the house. This is how to remove old insulation from attic and why you should do it.
Why Should I Remove My Old Attic Insulation?
When you are moving to a new house, you want to ensure that the insulation is in good condition. Especially if the house has been vacant for longer than 3 years, there are some concerning factors about old insulation. Even though materials like spray foam insulation get better after setting, you might need to remove them if you want to add a new insulation material.
Even though removing old insulation from the attic could take some time, it is necessary. Old insulation can be a nest to all kinds of insects and unwanted microorganisms. Not to mention the possible existence of mol.
Not only is it bad for the insulation property, but it could also add to health problems since the insulation is the one thing that shields the house. It is also a concern for the house structure. A damp insulation could affect the house structure and, therefore could trigger a much bigger problem.
How to Remove Old Insulation from Attic: Step-by-step
The first step that you want to do when removing old insulation from the attic is to clear the area. Ensure your attic is free from your stuff before removing the old insulation. Other things that are worth mentioning are asbestos and mold. Both could cause serious health problems, especially if you are trying to remove the old insulation yourself.
Read also: How Thick Should Attic Insulation Be
If your house is built between 1039 and 1950, there’s a chance that there might be asbestos present. In that case, you would want to invite professionals before removing old insulation from attic. You could also buy an asbestos test kit to be safe.
Asbestos is a toxic material; therefore, removing old insulation needs to be done carefully. Even the disposal process should be highly controlled to minimize the risk of asbestos poisoning. Mold is also worth checking because it can also cause respiratory problems.
Then you can remove the old insulation. If the old insulation is in the shape of a batt, you need to work inward. It starts rolling from the outer part towards the middle. If you have blow-in insulation, you can use an industrial vacuum to ensure that it will help minimize dust flying around. That is how to remove old insulation from the attic.
Read also: Do Interior Walls Need Insulation?
Between the rolled insulation and blown-in, the main concern is the R-value of the product. The higher it is, there might be the possibility that the materials are thicker and, therefore hard to handle.
Old Insulation Removal Process Tips
Prepare the safety equipment before removing old insulation. You will need goggles to protect your eyes from the flying dust and protective clothing, preferably one that is industry-certified. You will also need a respirator.
Mask will work too, but make sure that it could keep you from inhaling the old insulation dust. You can also wear gloves before the old insulation removal process.
As for the disposal process, ensure that you hire a professional service. The old insulation could be hazardous if you leave it on the road.
That is how to remove old insulation from attic. Make sure that you do every step with high caution. It is better to remove the old one to get rid of any underlying problems before installing a new one.
