How to Properly Dispose Of Old Insulation

If you are on the verge of upgrading to spray foam insulation, then you should consider disposing of all the old material. Completely removing old insulation may be hard work, but it is necessary. Why? Because it is inefficient, not to mention that you will have very high energy bills. Removing old insulation from the attic or other crawl space is highly beneficial, even though most homeowners may opt not to. Aging insulation does not provide you a good air seal. You can be sure you will have moisture issues and rodent infestations. Let us not forget about health problems. Leaving it does not make any sense.
Old insulation removal requires the same attention to detail as adding insulation. This is the reason why you should hire experts like Great Northern Insulation. For more information about their services, please visit Gni.ca. Nevertheless, if you want to handle the project yourself, you can. You just have to be careful. In this article, we will talk about the correct way to dispose of old insulation without paying someone.

Before You Remove Old Insulation

You are determined to add spray foam insulation. You add lining to keep the heat in and the cold air out. This is a good thing since the product originally used to reduce heat loss and heat gains has been there for quite some time. Old insulation removal starts with proper preparation. Prior to clearing away old insulation:
• Evaluate The Condition Of The Materials
Unless the thermal covering is inefficient, you can add insulation to the existing one. In this sense, you should evaluate your home to see if you have enough insulation or if the existing one is not keeping the temperature of your home regulated very well.
• Get Protective Gear
If you have a home built before 1980, then you most certainly have asbestos insulation. Asbestos exposure is dangerous to your health, causing irritation to the skin and the eyes. If you do come across traces of asbestos, call in a professional to avoid hazards. You need to wear protective gear if you are disposing of old insulation from the attic or other crawl space. A simple dusk mask, long gloves and eyewear will provide you the protection you need.

Old Insulation Disposal Process

No home is equal, which is why the extent of the disposal is different. The biggest mistake that you can do is ripping the material out in pieces. This will only result in a huge mess. What should you do then? Well, follow these steps:
1. Star In One Corner
Start working in one corner and make your way towards the other end. Work slowly and take down the insulation from the floor joists. If you are removing the padding of a wall, work from top to bottom. A utility knife will come in handy, but so will a saw. On the other hand, if you are doing work on the celling, take it down altogether. For blown-in insulation you can use a capacity shop vacuum. You should know, though, that this work is both difficult and time consuming.
2. Pack The Insulation Material
When you are done, pack the insulation material in double-thick rubbish bags and make sure they are well sealed. You do not want bits and pieces of insulation to lie around the house. It is necessary to check with the town codes to figure out which the best way of getting rid of old insulation is.
3. Eliminate Residue
Insulation particles get into the air and it is needless to say that they can cause health problems. To make sure that your home is free from impurities, use an air hose. Blast the insulation with air towards the entrance. This way, it will not come back to you. Even better, use a vacuum. Be careful because you will not be able to move freely if there is not enough space. Spend as much time as necessary to eliminate residue.

Final Thoughts: Let the Experts Handle Old Insulation Removal

Removing old insulation on your own is not a good idea. A project of this kind requires experience and professional equipment. This is not all, though. Disposing of aging products that reduce heat loss or heat gain material is not safe for homeowners. The reason for this is that many issues can occur. Besides contracting a fatal disease, it is difficult to see where you are walking. It is advisable for you to avoid the do-it-yourself approach and let the experts handle old insulation removal. Specialists can remove the padding providing your home thermal protection in a safe manner, not to mention that they are able to get the job done a lot faster.