The Benefits of Insulation Remover
- by Virgil Vance
Blown-in cellulose and fiberglass insulation can be difficult to dispose of. Using a 23-horsepower vacuum system, old insulation is collected and discharged into waste bags without tracking contamination through your home.
There are various reasons for insulation removal, ranging from a desire to upgrade to health or structural issues. Symptoms of outdated or damaged insulation include leaks, temperature inconsistencies, and rodent infestation. Click the Visit Website to learn more.
If you see discolored spots on your attic insulation or notice a musty smell in an area of your home, don’t ignore these signs. Mold growth on or in insulation can hurt your health and cause moisture issues. Mold spores are especially dangerous for those with respiratory problems and allergies. Moldy wall insulation can also affect drywall and other materials in your home, requiring costly repairs or replacement.
Mold typically grows in areas with high moisture levels, such as attics, crawl spaces, basements, and other hidden areas. It can be a sign of a roof leak, water damage or excess condensation. Insulation acts like a sponge and absorbs moisture, leading to mold growth. When this happens, you’ll need to remove the affected insulation and fix the source of the moisture problem to ensure that it doesn’t occur again.
If you have a small spot of mold on your insulation, it may be able to be cleaned with a mild disinfectant such as bleach or trisodium phosphate (TSP). If the entire area is infested with mold, however, it’s best to have the insulation removed and replaced to prevent future problems.
You’ll need to wear protective gear when removing insulation. It’s a good idea to have a few dropcloths on hand, lining them up in front of the area where you’ll be working. Be sure to use plastic dropcloths that you can throw away. This will prevent mold spores from spreading throughout the rest of your home.
When you’re ready to start removing the moldy insulation, start at the bottom and roll up carefully, being careful not to snag it on the wooden studs. If you do, be sure to tug gently and not sharply as this could release more spores. Once you’ve removed the insulation, put it in a contractor bag and seal it before taking it outside to dispose of.
If you’ve been cleaning the molded insulation with a mild disinfectant, be sure to wash your clothes and any other items you wore in hot water and color-safe bleach. If the moldy insulation was contaminated with black mold, it may need to be completely removed and replaced with new insulation. It’s also important to repair any leaky roofs or pipes that were causing the insulation to become damp.
Hot/Cold Spots
Insulation is one of the most important parts of your home or business. It helps to keep you energy efficient and safe from various health risks. But insulation can become damaged from pest infestations, mold growth or just general wear and tear. Damaged or faulty insulation should be removed quickly to avoid health issues and structural problems.
If your insulation is compact, like batt or rolled insulation, then it can be manually removed using a wire stripper and safety gear. However, if you have loose-fill insulation like fiberglass or blown cellulose, a commercial vacuum system is needed to remove the material safely. The insulation is then discharged into recovery bags to be recycled or disposed of. It’s always best to hire a professional when tackling insulation removal.
Health Issues
If a home has older, damaged or moldy insulation, removing it can greatly improve the health of those living in the house. It is also an essential step before any remodeling projects that will alter walls, ceilings or floors where the insulation is located.
If parts of the structure stay wet due to contaminated insulation, there is a risk that moisture will find its way into wood and metal components, which can lead to rot or structural failure over time. In addition, ongoing exposure to wet insulation can impact the fire-retardant properties of some types, especially if it is in close proximity to heat sources.
Old insulation also provides a nesting site for pests, which can lead to poor energy efficiency and serious health issues. If a homeowner is thinking about upgrading their insulation or doing a renovation project, they should consider hiring a professional to ensure the job is done correctly. This will eliminate any potential health risks or energy inefficiency issues caused by contaminated or damaged insulation. It will also ensure the new insulation is properly installed to provide maximum energy efficiency.
Structural Issues
Old and damaged insulation is a breeding ground for pests, mold spores and other contaminants that can pose health risks and reduce energy efficiency. In the worst cases, if moldy or damp insulation is not removed, it can lead to structural issues in walls, ceilings and floors.
Using a high-powered commercial vacuum system, we can quickly remove blown-in cellulose and fiberglass insulation from the attic and sidewalls of your home. The material is discharged into recovery bags for recycling or disposal. If your home has batt or rolled insulation, we will cut it into easily-handled sections to make the removal process faster and safer. We also use a dustless, low-dust removal technique to keep your air quality safe and healthy while working.
Blown-in cellulose and fiberglass insulation can be difficult to dispose of. Using a 23-horsepower vacuum system, old insulation is collected and discharged into waste bags without tracking contamination through your home. There are various reasons for insulation removal, ranging from a desire to upgrade to health or structural issues. Symptoms of outdated or damaged insulation…