Removing Old Roof Insulation

Before new insulation can be installed rotten or damaged insulation must first be removed and how it has to be removed by hand or by machine will affect cost.

Removing old roof insulation.

Unless there is good reason to remove the old insulation the new is simply laid on top. An insulation removal contractor sucks out the old fibers through a special vacuum and retention system. Look for water stains on the roof sheathing or damp or moldy spots on attic joists and existing insulation as a clue to where leaks might be. I currently have knauf glass wool insulation in the roof space which was installed on 18 april 2011 by a.

Leaving it does not make any sense. Basically they will use special vacuum and retention systems to extract old fiber insulation. Wet insulation will mold which can spread to. Loose fill insulation can be vacuumed out but this used insulation can t be blown back in without risk of damage to the machine.

If you want to reuse loose fill insulation relocating it in the space and moving it back after other work is completed can be a better option. Water is insulation s enemy. Rodent droppings and nests water damage and wood chips from shoddy roofing jobs can all damage insulation and make it more difficult to remove. Removing or relocating insulation in an attic is hot dirty work.

Aging insulation does not provide you a good air seal. It creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew and ruins the air trapping pockets that block heat flow. Let us not forget about health problems. Attic insulation damaged by an infestation of rodents or by water from a leaky roof requires removal to prevent further contamination in the home.

If you are dealing with blown in fiber insulation we would recommend that you consult and hire a professional to do it not only because they have special equipment used in the process but also because it is safer that way. If the old insulation is to joist depth the new can be laid cross ways to help reduce the effect of any gaps between the strips of old insulation. Whether you are removing loose fill attic insulation for replacement with new insulation changing insulation types or are removing insulation because of water or wildlife damage doing it safely is the first step. Removing old insulation from the attic or other crawl space is highly beneficial even though most homeowners may opt not to.

The contractor might charge by the square foot and may add additional fees if access to the.