Insulation Removal Service
Insulation can degrade over time and stop insulating your home. Like all things, it eventually gets worn out and damaged. After some time, you’re going to need insulation removal and replacement.
Southwest Insulation is the insulation expert you can trust to remove your insulation for you. We know all the trade secrets and can deal with whatever hazards may have gotten into your attic or wall insulation. Has it gotten moldy? Is it covered in pests? Did the asbestos test come back positive? It doesn’t matter because we’re experts at insulation services.
Our insulation technicians can help out with your insulation removal. You don’t need to take the risk yourself. This task can often be dangerous when done by someone who’s never done it before and doesn’t know what they’re doing, so call in some experts to do the job for you.
How To Know You Need Insulation Removal
There are a few signs that your insulation is starting to break down.
If you’ve had any water damage, get your insulation checked out. Water can be devastating, and you should remove wet insulation immediately, or you risk mold spreading around your home.
Similarly, electrical damage is a common cause of bad insulation.
If your home is dusty, it may be due to worn-down insulation. You might find scattered insulation here and there.
If the insulation seems loose and sagging, that’s a bad sign. Your insulation might also have gotten blackened by dirt, meaning replacement is necessary.
A recent rodent infestation may have destroyed your insulation. There could be rat droppings, ticks, and dead rats inside. The rats may have also chewed up the insulation itself.
Any strange smell could be rotten insulation.
If your insulation has tested positive for asbestos, you must remove it immediately. Asbestos is carcinogenic and terrible for long-term health.
You might also simply want better insulation. Maybe your insulation hasn’t worked well for years, and you’d like a stronger material.
Batt Insulation Removal
Batt insulation is easier to remove than blown-in insulation, although it’s still dangerous and tricky.
First, the insulation removal technicians place down plastic sheets to protect furniture from particles.
After that, our techs deal with any hazardous material. These materials include mold, asbestos, and anything related to pests. This material is disposed of safely so the technicians can continue their work without risk.
The batt insulation panels are torn down and put into trash bags. This insulation gets handled with gloves, eye protection, masks, and all other protective equipment. It should not get touched ungloved after being removed.
HEPA-strength vacuums vacuum up whatever’s remaining.
After that, the insulation professionals will install new batt insulation or whatever type you want to replace it. Batt insulation is slightly more expensive than blow-in insulation, so you might want to change insulation styles here.
Blown-In Insulation Removal
The removal process for blown-in insulation isn’t much different from batt insulation, but there are a few differences. It’s also something an amateur usually can’t do, so if you have blown-in insulation, you should call a professional instead of trying it yourself.
The process starts the same – plastic sheets must be draped over furniture to stop things from getting too messy. Then everything dangerous is dealt with first – pests, mold, asbestos, and anything else that’s directly harmful.
The insulation experts then use insulation removal vacuums to suck away all blown-in insulation. These vacuums stretch outside the house and are big enough for large loads. The area may then be pressure cleaned afterward.
Discarded insulation is dangerous and sometimes needs to be put in a specialized area in the dump. Rest assured, our technicians know how to dispose of everything properly.
FAQs
Should you remove old insulation before putting in new?
You can often put in new insulation if there’s nothing wrong with the old insulation. But make sure there are no mold, asbestos, or pests inside.
How long does blown-in insulation last?
Cellulose lasts about 20-30 years, while fiberglass can last around 80-100 years. However, some like to have their insulation replaced every 15 years to keep it efficient.
How do I know if my attic insulation is going bad?
You’ll know something has happened with your attic insulation if there’s been water damage or you notice mold on the insulation. Excessive dust in your home could be insulation, and excessive dirt on your insulation is a bad sign. Replace your insulation if rats have been living in it. Weird smells may also be rotting insulation. And, of course, always replace asbestos.
Should black insulation be replaced?
Insulation isn’t supposed to be black. If your insulation is black, this could be mold or other rot that can spread to other parts of your house. Get insulation removal immediately.
How do you safely remove fiberglass?
It’s best to leave fiberglass insulation removal in the hands of professionals. You’ll need gloves, goggles, clothes, and equipment to remove fiberglass safely.