If you can’t recall when your attic insulation was installed or augmented, it may be time to consider removal. Insulation can often be supplemented rather than replaced, but removal is a must if there are signs of water damage, mold, or infestations. Additionally, older insulation and insulation that’s dirty, damaged, or past the end of its life expectancy may need to be replaced. Not only will this help improve the energy efficiency of your home, but it will also reduce utility bills as well. 

While you can remove your attic insulation yourself, it may pose risks to your and your family’s health. A team of skilled professionals can remove existing insulation in a single day and is able to accurately gauge dangers and weaknesses in your attic environment. 

Let’s take a look at the stages of attic insulation removal, starting with figuring out what type of insulation you have and what condition it’s in.

1. Identifying Your Insulation

Not exactly sure what type of insulation is keeping your house temperature regulated? With a quick visual inspection, you can usually determine what kind of insulation you have. You may also be able to tell whether you need to add additional insulation or if it has tell-tale signs of needing removal and replacement.

To plan attic insulation removal, you need to consider both its format and its base material. Common types of attic insulation are: 

• Batt and roll – Often pink or gray, batting insulation is also known as blanket insulation. It’s created from flexible fibers formed into layers that are cut to standard widths and laid flat between joists in your attic. It’s most often made from fiberglass, but its base material can also be mineral wool, plastic fibers, or even cotton or sheep’s wool.¹
• Blown-in – If it looks loose and lumpy, you’ve got blown-in, or loose-fill, insulation. It’s often made from cellulose (gray and dull), fiberglass (white with a slight shine), or rock or mineral wool (colors range from white to brown or gray).²
• Spray foam – You can find hand-held spray foam in cans at your local hardware store to fill in small leaks and holes, but spray foam insulation is also installed commercially with pressure sprayers. It has a rigid surface and is often yellow-beige in color.
• Combo platter – Because the insulation is often augmented over time, you may have multiple types in your attic. One common mix is blown-in on top of batt and roll. So, you may need a little gentle excavation to determine your insulation’s true identity. 

If your inspection results in a “none of the above” answer and you live in an older home, you could have a dated type of insulation that contains chemicals or asbestos. As such, this type of insulation, which includes vermiculite and balsamic wood, should be removed immediately.³

2. Inspecting the Attic

Once you’ve determined what kind of existing insulation you have, the next step is evaluating its condition and the presence of any hazardous materials. This includes looking for: 

• Water damage or mold
• Rodent or other pest infestation
• Punctures, tears, and signs of aging or shrinkage in the insulation
• Foreign objects like wood chips or nails mixed in with the insulation 
• Asbestos or hazardous chemicals from outdated insulation materials 

While a quick visit to your attic can help uncover some of these issues, a professional attic inspection is critical to ensure potential hazards are correctly identified.

3. Creating a Removal Plan

The removal process is either done by hand or machine, which determines the attic insulation installation cost and time it’ll take to complete the process. 

Removal by machine requires a high-powered vacuum with a large-diameter hose that can make its way up into the attic. This is the most efficient method, and can be used when you have: 

• Blown-in insulation with no foreign objects in it
• Accessibility within and to the attic for worker movement and vacuum hose insertion
• No hazards present (such as mold, animal waste, asbestos, or chemicals)

Workers will need to remove and bag old insulation by hand if you have: 

• Batt and roll insulation
• Foam insulation
• Blown-in insulation with construction detritus or other materials mixed in
• Health hazards that can be further stirred up in the air by vacuuming
• Attic areas with too little space or too many obstructions for vacuuming

Hand removal generally costs more because it requires more time and labor.

How Long Does Attic Insulation Removal Take?

For a 1,500-square-foot attic, professional removal of blown-in insulation without hazardous complications can take as little as 4 to 6 hours to complete. However, the time it takes to remove attic insulation is generally dependent on a variety of factors, including:

• Attic size and access
• The degree of obstructions, such as ducts, pipes, pillars, or debris
• Type of insulation
• The volume of insulation needed to be removed
• Removal method (by hand takes longer than vacuum)
• Presence of hazards

Health and Safety Considerations

Even in the best of cases, removing old insulation involves dealing with airborne fibers that are harmful to skin, eyes, and lungs. As such, workers must abide by standard safety precautions when removing insulation, which consist of: 

• Wearing protective gear like coveralls, heavy gloves, goggles, and respirators
• Sealing off the rest of the house during the insulation removal
• Draping and adding a protective covering to surfaces where a vacuum hose runs
• Taking frequent breaks in warmer months to avoid heat exhaustion while suited up 
• Washing arms, hands, and face in cool water to discourage fiberglass absorption

Additionally, if asbestos is found in the attic, an asbestos abatement provider will have their own stringent health and safety practices to avoid any health concerns. 

How Professional Attic Insulation Removal Can Help You

A trusted team of experts can provide you with thorough attic evaluation, skilled insulation removal, meticulous hazardous material mitigation, and exhaustive clean-up and disposal methods to ensure your insulation is dealt with properly. 

At Attic Construction, we specialize in attic insulation removal and installation, so you don’t have to go far to make sure your home is in tip-top shape. Whether you need San Diego, Orange County, or Phoenix insulation installation, we can help! Call us today to schedule one of our inspectors for a no-strings-attached attic assessment. 

We’ll help you take the first step toward a healthier and more comfortable home.

Sources: 

1. Buildipedia. Blanket (Batt and Roll) Insulation. https://buildipedia.com/knowledgebase/division-07-thermal-and-moisture-protection/07-20-00-thermal-protection/07-21-16-blanket-insulation/blanket-batt-and-roll-insulation
2. The Spruce. What Does Asbestos Insulation Look Like? https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-identify-dangerous-asbestos-insulation-4119906
3. Family Handyman. 5 Things You Need to Know About Vermiculite. https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/things-to-know-about-vermiculite/

The cost to remove old insulation from attic spaces will vary based on the type of insulation, where you live, and whether it’s a single service or part of a replacement project. To that end, a very basic price range for insulation removal is $1 to $2 per square foot. 

When determining whether or not insulation removal is worth the cost, determine the type of insulation currently in your home, if it needs to be completely replaced or simply added to, and if it contains any hazards or toxins that may spread during removal.

If your attic insulation isn’t doing its job, getting it in tip-top shape is a critical investment that can reduce your heating and cooling costs while improving your home’s comfort. While you may want to remove your attic insulation yourself, it is highly advised to leave this job to the professionals. Let’s figure out whether you need it removed, and what goes into estimating the cost. 

How Long Does Attic Insulation Last?

There are many factors involved in pricing an attic insulation removal project, but the first question is: do you actually need your insulation material removed? 

When attic insulation hits the top of your to-do list, it’s often because you’re feeling the signs that your home is under-insulated, whether that’s higher than normal electrical bills or a persisting draft. Usually, the fix is adding more home insulation on top of what’s already there, rather than removing it. 

When basic home maintenance is taken care of, modern types of attic insulation don’t require frequent replacement. However, insulation in older homes may need a makeover, especially if it is damaged insulation or filled with harmful chemicals. To that end, let’s take a look at the life expectancies of certain types of insulation:

• Spray foam – Spray foam insulation lasts up to 80 years. It’s air-tight, mold-resistant, and does not absorb moisture. If it requires removal, it’s generally due to pests or damage from construction activities.¹
• Fiberglass – Can last 80 to 100 years, but may begin to fail after 15 to 20 years. It can be damaged by moisture as well as gravity over time. Its effectiveness is dependent on it staying light and fluffy. Unless it is water or pest-damaged, it’s generally safe to leave in place while adding insulation on top, as needed.
• Mineral wool – Lasts 30 to 80 years, depending on its variety and base material. It’s also prone to moisture and mold growth. New insulation can be applied over it if it’s dry and undamaged.
• Cellulose – Lasts 20 to 30 years, but will begin to degrade after about 15 years. Cellulose insulation is vulnerable to moisture and mold. If dry and undamaged, insulation can be applied on top of existing attic insulation as needed.

When Does Attic Insulation Need to Be Removed?

Separate from whether your insulation is nearing the end of its life expectancy, some types of insulation need to be carefully and thoroughly removed based on damage. Plus, some older types of insulation can be potential hazards to your and your family’s health due to the presence of asbestos and other chemicals. 

In general, there are four reasons why you may need to remove and replace your attic’s existing insulation.

#1 Removal Due to Hazardous Types of Insulation 

While owners of newer homes needn’t be concerned, attic insulation in an older house may need removal since many homes were insulated with types of insulation that pose safety hazards. These include: 

• Vermiculite – If your home contains vermiculite insulation, the safest option is to have it removed by asbestos abatement professionals. Although the EPA recommends testing and only requires certified asbestos abatement if the results are 1% or higher asbestos. Even at lower amounts, regular insulation removal methods will produce airborne asbestos in your home so you’ll need to take the proper safety protocols, such as isolating the area.²
• Balsamic wool – Made from cedar tree shavings, balsamic wool insulation was popular in mid-20th century home construction but is now known to contain carcinogens.
• Cellulose – Made from recycled newspaper, older cellulose insulation may pose a fire hazard. 

Since drafty homes are often corrected by adding insulation on top of existing insulation, your home may contain hazardous insulation under the newer coverings. A professional inspection can help you find whether or not you have potentially hazardous insulation in your home.

#2 Removal Due to Water or Mold

Insulation materials are designed to resist humidity and moisture, but an unattended water leak can lead to mold. The presence of mold in your insulation is a danger to your family’s health and is another circumstance that warrants professional removal. Spores of mold within your old attic insulation may cause:

• Headaches
• Coughing 
• Digestive problems

#3 Removal Due to  Pest-Infested Insulation 

Animal urine and droppings create a toxic environment that will impact your home air quality over time as well as break down both insulation and structural materials. Rodents and insects can also tunnel through and eat into attics and insulation as they nest and proliferate.

 If there is significant evidence of pest infestation, you may need complete insulation removal to return your attic to a clean and safe state. 

#4 Removal Due to Other Damage

Though durable, insulation becomes vulnerable when it is punctured or begins to break down to open up space between points of insulation. 

For instance, if your roof was poorly installed, it can send wood chips into the insulation. These holes allow both moisture and dirt into the insulation, which compromises its ability to repel moisture and creates an environment where mold can grow. 

How to Tell if Your Attic Insulation Needs Removal

There are signs to look for in your attic that will help you figure out whether your insulation needs removal and replacement.

Grab a flashlight and take a look in your attic space. You may need removal if you can identify: 

• Crumbling insulation – Your old attic insulation may be expired and need replacement if it crumbles when touched or has other signs of damage due to aging.
• Moisture – If you can see visible water leakage or damage, or you can smell or feel the moisture in the air, you may need the removal of insulation and mold treatment. 
• Mold – Mold may or may not be visible to the eye. You may see it as black spots or streaks on the insulation. (For fiberglass insulation, black coloration might be dirt that is accumulating based on the presence of an air leak.)³
• Unwanted guests – If you can see or smell evidence of animal waste, nests, or tunneling, you may need to remove current insulation and possibly repair any damage to the structure from pests. This may not be a surprise to you if you’ve already heard the pitter-patter or chewing of these pests when the house is quiet.

However, the best test is going to be a professional inspection and report. A professional can help identify any potential problems that you may not be able to easily see, smell, or hear yourself.

How Is Attic Insulation Removed?

Inspecting and preparing the attic space for insulation removal is a critical first step to this process. If there is significant infestation or contamination to clean up and protect the rest of the house from, your removal rate will reflect that. 

Depending on the type of insulation or damage, removal can be done by machine or by hand. However, bagging insulation and removing it by hand is more time-intensive, and thus more expensive. 

Some things to consider when deciding whether to use a machine or remove the insulation by hand include:

• Contaminated insulation – If it contains materials such as wood chips, insulation must be bagged and removed by hand.
• Batt insulation – Batting must be rolled up and taken out by hand.
• Blown insulation – Machine removal involves vacuuming blown insulation with an industrial device that keeps the insulation contained until after it leaves the home. 

How to Estimate Your Attic Insulation Removal Cost

So how much does it cost to remove attic insulation? As we noted at the beginning of this article, the average price range for attic insulation removal is $1 to $2 per square foot. Costs can range upward if the condition of the insulation is particularly poor. When pricing your specific project, factors that affect the quote include: 

• Amount of insulation – Your price per square foot may be impacted by just how much insulation is currently present. For instance, if previous homeowners have already added blown-in insulation over fiberglass batting, that will require more labor to remove.
• Removal process – Does the current insulation require removal by hand or can it be vacuumed out? Generally, by-hand removal will cost you extra since it requires more labor and usually takes more time.
• Vacuum truck access – If machine removal is used, the process will involve running a six-inch-diameter hose through your attic. The hose is connected to a vacuum device in a truck outside your home. If this is not possible due to space issues, then your attic may require removal by hand rather than a machine.
• Attic access – How easy or difficult will it be for workers to enter and move through your attic space? Will they encounter pillars, pipes, debris, or other obstructions? This can affect both the methods used and the amount of labor involved in your job.
• Presence of hazards – If hazards such as mold, asbestos, or animal waste are present, removal may need to be done by hand and may require additional steps and safety considerations, such as quarantining the house for a designated period of time.

How Attic Construction Professionals Can Save You Money

Removing insulation that contains mold, animal feces, or asbestos requires careful handling to protect the workers and prevent contaminants from spreading through your home during removal. 

Even if you’re planning to DIY the replacement process, the insulation removal is best handled professionally—enlist Attic Construction for the job. 

If you’re considering attic insulation changes, we invite you to call us today to schedule a no-strings-attached attic inspection. One of our inspectors will come out to evaluate the current state of your attic and determine what is needed to keep your home clean, safe, and properly protected.

Attic Construction offers a wide range of attic services from replacement, removal, decontamination and installation, we got you covered. We are available in different locations from Phoenix, San Diego and Orange Country, so if you are in need of insulation in San Diego or have been searching for rodent proofing in Phoenix, then don’t hesitate to connect with us for a free inspection today!

Sources: 

1. Home Inspection Insider. How Often Should Insulation Be Replaced? https://homeinspectioninsider.com/how-often-should-insulation-be-replaced/
2. Family Handyman. 5 Things You Need to Know About Vermiculite. https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/things-to-know-about-vermiculite/
3. Ted’s Energy Tips. What does it mean if your fiberglass insulation is black? https://tedsenergytips.com/2011/03/25/black-insulation/

Blown-in insulation fills every nook and cranny of your attic—which seems like a great idea right up until you decide to take it out!

Removing blown-in or loose-fill, insulation is a hot, uncomfortable, and dirty project. The process, time, and blow insulation removal cost depend on factors including the size and accessibility of the space as well as the removal method you use.

Whether you’re working with professionals or tackling it yourself, it’s helpful to understand both the steps involved and the tools needed to do the job. In this short guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know.

#1: Inspect Your Attic Insulation

An important part of learning how to remove blown in insulation from your attic is understanding the possible dangers involved. Attics are dusty at the best of times, but if yours has water damage or signs of pests making themselves at home, it poses health and safety hazards. Look for: 

• Signs of infestation – Blown-in insulation can be a cozy material for mice, squirrels, and other unwanted guests. If you can see or smell signs of nesting, urine, or droppings, then the process of attic insulation removal will release additional toxins into the air during removal of old blown insulation. 
• Mold or water damage – If you see black streaks or spots, or any sign or smell of water damage in the attic, the insulation removal could stir up mold spores.

If you are removing spray foam insulation, you must proceed with caution. Old blow insulation can actually cause damage to your health if dealt with incorrectly. Both of these issues are dangerous to workers and can result in airborne toxins spreading to the rest of your home. If present, they may impact the removal method you choose.

#2: Evaluate Your Working Environment

The access to and within your attic can affect the time you or a professional will need to invest in the job. A large unfinished attic with few obstructions that allows workers to move freely is going to be a different job than a small crawl space riddled with ducts and pipes. 

Assess the work environment of your attic, including: 

• Vacuum access – The machinery will be located outside, often in a truck or trailer. Is there space where a vehicle or machine can be situated so that the hose has a window or other point of entry to the attic? 
• Obstructions – Does your attic look like an octopus convention? Is it riddled with ducts, pipes, cabling, or wiring? And are those items in good repair or fraught with loose connections? 
• Freedom of movement – Will removal workers be able to stand and move easily throughout the attic? Are there nooks and crannies that will be difficult to access?

#3: Determine Removal Method

The preferred method of removing blown in insulation is by machine, using a vacuum process to suck the insulation out of the attic. This is the most efficient option and can save both time and money. 

If you’re doing the removal yourself, you’ll need to rent a high-powered insulation vacuum. These are usually gas-powered and they’ll typically come with around 150 feet of hose to reach from the attic to the vacuum outside. Larger ones may come in their own trailers to haul to and from your home. 

In some circumstances, however, you’ll need to bag the insulation by hand rather than using a vacuum process. This will be the case if your existing insulation contains: 

• Airborne toxins – If mold or animal waste is present, they can be stirred up and released more into the home through the vacuuming process. 
• Water – If the insulation material is saturated with water, the vacuum will not be able to pull it cleanly through the hose. 
• Foreign objects – If the insulation has been penetrated by objects such as wood chips or nails during roofing or other home construction projects, those objects could interfere with or damage the vacuum. 

#4: Understand Health and Safety Considerations 

Remember that even in the best circumstances, old insulation removal involves stirring up fibers that you don’t want to swallow or have on your skin. 

The most common types of blown-in insulation are fiberglass, rock wool, and cellulose insulation material. Although fiberglass is popular, it’s also a carcinogen that can damage your eyes, skin, respiratory system, and lungs. 

Protection during the removal process includes: 

• Skin coverage – If you’re tackling insulation removal during the warmer months, it’s going to be an uncomfortably hot job, but you need to keep your arms and legs as well as your hands fully covered.
• Breathing protection – Use a respirator rather than a simple fabric or plastic face mask to prevent lung damage.
• Washing up – Use cool water to wash your hands, arms, and face. Warm water can open your pores and allow your skin to pull tiny particles deeper.¹ 

Quick tip: When fiberglass touches you, it can cause a stinging sensation. Scratching or rubbing it will push it into your skin. Wash the area instead, following the protocol above.

#5: Rent and Buy the Tools You Need

To safely remove your blown-in attic insulation, you either need to fill up a shopping cart or find a single item: a trusted professional attic removal team. 

If you’re removing your old attic insulation yourself, you need to gather:² 

• A rented high-powered insulation vacuum 
• Extra rented hose and connectors if needed for your attic access
• Insulation bags that fit the vacuum 
• Gas to power the vacuum
• Coveralls
• Respirator
• Protective goggles
• Heavy-duty work gloves
• Headlamp
• Duct tape 
• A good friend

Although running the vacuum in the attic is generally a one-person job, a friend to help throughout the process is a must-have. That person can keep an eye on the vacuum for any clogs in the hose or connection issues, make sure the insulation bags aren’t overfilled, and replace them as needed when removing old attic insulation.

#6: Get It Done!

You’ve gathered up everything you need and had a good breakfast. If you’re ready to jump into your first workday, follow these steps:

• Preparation – Move the vacuum close to the door or window you’ve selected for access and clear the path. If you’re running it through the house, lay down protective material. Close all other doors and windows in the house. 
• Suit up – Make sure you’ve got all your protective gear, and suit up as soon as you’re ready to work in the attic space.
• Vacuum – Make sure you’ve got someone to check on the machine down below as you turn it on and begin vacuuming. Take a logical path through the attic space that helps you set small goals and appreciate as you complete each area. 
• Pause for glitches – You may need to pause to navigate around obstacles, replace insulation bags, or address clogs or leaks in the vacuum hose and connectors.

While you’re in the removal stage of your existing insulation, there are some ways to make the process go as efficiently as possible:

• Stay alert – As you make your way through the attic, take a moment to carefully inspect each area in all directions: left, right, up, and down. Look for nails sticking through the roof or floor joists, and for any weakness in surfaces that you walk or put weight on if your attic doesn’t have a finished floor. 
• Keep inspecting – The middle of the job isn’t a great time to realize there is mold or infestation present, but the fact is, you may only see signs of these hazards as you move further into the attic and remove some insulation. If that occurs, observe what you can and take a break to reevaluate whether you need to call in professionals who can work safely in and fully clean up a toxic environment.

At the end of the day, there are no magic tricks to removing blown in insulation from attic easily or in a snap—aside from hiring a professional. 

Once you’re done, you’ll be a critical step closer to making your house a home that uses less energy and provides more protection and comfort!

#7: Clean Up and Dispose of Removed Insulation

It’s not the fun part, but at least you can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Clean up for insulation removal includes: 

• Vacuum removal – Move the hose back outside and prepare the machine to be returned.
• Cleaning attic surfaces – To avoid stirring up remaining fibers, use a damp clean method like a wet shop vac to do a final clean-up of your attic. Ensure proper ventilation so surfaces can dry cleanly. 
• Undressing the house – Remove any protective sheeting or drapes used inside the house carefully and give family members the all-clear!
• Disposal of insulation bags – Contact your city or county waste management organization to find out how to dispose of the old insulation. You may end up with a half dozen or more full garbage bags if you have a particularly large attic. Transport them via a trailer if you need to bring them to a disposal site to prevent any transfer of unhealthy particles from the bags to your vehicle interior. 

Ready to Partner with Professionals on Attic Insulation Removal?

Your smartest first step in an attic insulation project is to obtain a professional opinion. While dedicated DIY’ers can take on projects like this, the potential for hidden health hazards makes it vital to get a second set of eyes on your attic before work begins. 

If you’re searching for attic cleaning near me or considering removal or replacement of your attic insulation, take advantage of our no strings attached inspection offer. 

One of our consultants will come to your home to give you an expert opinion on the best next steps to an attic that is clean and operating at its best to protect your home and comfort. 

Sources: 

1. DoItYourself. Fiberglass Insulation Dangers. https://www.doityourself.com/stry/fiberglass-insulation-dangers-to-be-aware-of
2. Jay Schmidt, YouTube. How To Remove Blown-in Attic Insulation | My First Renovation. https://youtu.be/RN1Te0AKCLs

If you own a house with an attic, chances are that you don’t visit the space very often. Maybe you use it as storage—a place to stash your boxes of keepsakes, dusty old furniture, or holiday decorations that just don’t fit anywhere else. 

But even if you only go up into your attic every once in a while, it’s hard to miss its most important feature: the insulation.  And if you suddenly notice an off-odor or extreme temperature in your attic, you might suddenly start to wonder, “Should I remove my old attic insulation?”

Whether you want to avoid attic insulation removal costs or you’re interested in doing a home improvement project, this article is here to help. We’ve put together this complete guide to walk you through the reasons why it’s important to remove old attic insulation and how you can do so safely in order to replace your attic insulation.

Remove Old Attic Insulation for Better Heating and Cooling

The primary reason for removing old attic insulation is to ensure that your home is heated and cooled properly. With age, attic insulation typically deteriorates, meaning that it loses its ability to effectively regulate temperatures and insulate your home. Ordinary deterioration can be caused by shifting or settling insulation materials, or even environmental factors like excessive moisture or damage from direct sunlight.¹  

Regardless of the cause, the unfortunate reality is that attic insulation does not last forever. Instead, it eventually needs to be removed and replaced for adequate home temperature control. 

Removing old attic insulation has these added benefits: ²

• The costs associated with heating and cooling your home go down
• You and your family can be more comfortable indoors during seasonal extremes 

Other Reasons to Remove Old Attic Insulation

Aside from natural wear and tear or environmental degradation, there are several other reasons why removing old attic insulation is a good idea. In these cases, attic insulation removal is not only important for effective installment but also a necessary step for the health and safety of your family. 

Asbestos

While not all insulation material contains asbestos, it is more commonly found within older homes. Asbestos fiber was popular in construction before the 1980s because this natural mineral is resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion. These qualities that make it an effective insulator, however, also make it quite dangerous and toxic to the human body.³

Both non-cancerous and cancerous diseases and other health problems can result from exposure to high quantities of asbestos over time.⁴ 

Although the health risks of asbestos are well known now, they weren’t always, so the mineral can be found in older buildings and homes. The most common kind of asbestos insulation that might be found in an attic is vermiculite insulation, though not all types of this insulation contain asbestos. Nevertheless, it is always better to err on the side of caution and at least look into testing your older insulation for asbestos to be sure of its contents. 

Mold 

Unfortunately, mold is commonly found in indoor environments like homes. Moldy attic insulation can result from a variety of factors that are more likely to occur (or become more severe) over time, including:

• Humid climates
• Improper venting 
• Leaks from heating and cooling systems
• Extreme storms

If mold has made its way into your attic insulation, removal is crucial. The moisture that eventually leads to the development of mold can cause the rapid deterioration of insulation, rendering it much less effective. 

More importantly, mold exposure can pose many health risks in humans, ranging from mild to severe allergic reactions and long-term upper respiratory issues.⁵ If you have contaminated insulation in a crawl space or attic, it is essential to get it removed by an insulation professional right away.

Pest and Animal Infestation

Critters are another common menace that may warrant attic insulation removal. Infestations are particularly common in older homes, where it is more likely that there are weak spots in the roof or attic exterior.

Possible unwanted intruders include:

• Raccoons and squirrels – These are the most likely among the larger animal inhabitants of attics. Raccoons and squirrels like to use attic spaces as dens and nests, particularly in the warmer months (“birthing season”) as mothers seek to protect their newborns.⁶
• Mice and rats – It’s not uncommon for these other rodents to make attics their temporary or permanent home, especially in the colder months as they seek refuge from the inhospitable temperatures outside. 
• Bats – For these creatures, attics function just like caves, with plenty of dark spaces and places to hang.⁷ 
• Insects – Wasps, hornets, and termites are also known for choosing attics as nesting spaces. 

Aside from seeing the actual culprits themselves, signs of pest and animal infestation include: 

• Droppings or urine
• Scurrying or squeaking noises
• Nests made from organic materials
• Disturbed or damaged insulation

Although certainly a nuisance, pest and animal infestations are also a serious problem that can result in extensive damage to your attic and your existing insulation. After such an infestation, old attic insulation will likely need to be replaced. 

Even if no damage is readily visible, it’s important to replace any insulation that could contain droppings, as pests and animals can be vectors for disease. 

Trust Attic Construction to Remove Old Attic Insulation Safely and Professionally

So, should you replace your attic insulation? Whether your present concern is sky-high utility bills, a strange odor, or your long-term health and safety, know that modern insulation can help ensure your long-term comfort at home.

Attic Construction is here for you as you take the next step of hiring a professional. 

In fact, it’s very important to not attempt to remove old insulation as a DIY project. Since existing insulation can contain harmful and hazardous materials, it’s best to hire knowledgeable and trustworthy insulation professionals.

At Attic Construction, we specialize in attics. Our team of experts can work with you to ensure that your old attic insulation is safely removed and effective new insulation is installed!

Sources: 

1. BNG Heating & Cooling. How does insulation deteriorate after time? https://bngheat.com/insulation-deteriorate-time/
2. Energy.gov. Insulation.  https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/insulation/
3. Asbestos.com. Asbestos. https://www.asbestos.com/asbestos/
4. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Asbestos. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/asbestos/health_effects_asbestos.html
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mold. https://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm
6. Wildlifehotline.org. Animal in My Attic. https://www.wildlifehotline.org/animalinmyattic.html
7. Reader’s Digest. 11 Pests That Could Be Hiding in Your Attic. https://www.rd.com/list/pests-that-could-be-hiding-in-your-attic/