Insulation removal is the act of removing existing insulation from walls, ceilings and floors in order to install newer, more efficient materials. This may be due to a remodel or upgrade, or because old and damaged insulation is causing health risks or poor energy efficiency.
Insulation can become damaged by pest infestation, mold growth and water leakage. This leads to health risks and structural damage in the home or business. Contact Perth Insulation Remover now!
If you are looking to spruce up your attic and make it more usable space, you may want to consider new insulation. However, you must choose the right type and method of insulation for your attic. There are two types of attic insulation, blown-in cellulose or fiberglass batts. To ensure the safety of your family, it is a good idea to hire professionals for attic insulating projects.
The attic can be a dangerous place to work and you should always follow proper safety precautions. This includes wearing a face mask or respirator, long-sleeved shirts and gloves. A protective coverall is also a good idea if you are dealing with a fiberglass insulation that contains tiny glass fibers that can irritate skin and eyes. You should also wear knee pads when working in an attic to prevent slipping and falling through the ceiling below you. You should also be careful when walking on the attic floor and not walk over joists or truss chords, as this can cause injuries.
A specialized HEPA-filter rated commercial vacuum is the best equipment for attic insulation removal, and you can rent one from most hardware stores. It is a good idea to have another person help you run the vacuum throughout the attic. The other person can check the vacuum hose for clogs and provide a hand to help you roll up insulation into waste bags when they are full.
Once the insulation is removed, you can inspect the attic for any damage and address issues promptly. This will improve the energy efficiency of your home and protect it from costly repairs.
If you plan on using the attic as living space, it is a good idea to insulate around your stairwell, electrical boxes and vents. Insulating around these areas can reduce the amount of heat that transfers from your house into the attic and will help to keep your home comfortable.
Adding a staircase to your attic can also increase its usability. You can use this space to store boxes or furniture and still have access to mechanical systems like heating and cooling. However, modifying the attic for walking room does reduce the R-Value of your attic and will affect your home’s overall insulation effectiveness. This may or may not be worth the compromise depending on your needs and budget.
Wall
Many homeowners worry that old and damaged wall insulation will expose the walls to moisture, leading to rot or mold. This can be a major structural risk to the home and may require a complete renovation.
A simple way to upgrade the existing wall insulation without a full remodel is to have the home insulated with injection foam. This is best done with the help of a professional who understands how the system works. The contractor will drill small holes in the stud spaces and fill them with foam that is designed to be blown or injected. The insulation will be sprayed to the proper density, and any holes in the wall are plugged, patched and sealed before the drywall is installed.
The contractor can also add a vapour barrier to the wall if required. This is especially important if the original wall had a polyethylene vapour barrier and was removed for some reason, such as during a previous remodeling project or to make room for plumbing, electrical and heating ducts. The barrier can be put back on the wall or a new smart barrier can be installed over it.
There are several types of wall insulation available to homeowners. Foil, films and papers are fitted between wood-frame studs, joists and rafters, and can be installed at standard spacing or in a bubble-form for areas that are irregularly shaped. Some are sprayed on in the form of a liquid or foam, and can be applied to hard-to-reach areas. HVAC contractors can fabricate insulating ducts into wall cavities and then blow them in place with special equipment.
Another type of insulation is the Structural Insulated Panel, or SIP. This is made of four to eight inches of foam board insulation sandwiched between two sheets of oriented strand board or other sheathing materials. The sheathing material can be custom selected by the homeowner to suit interior and exterior design needs. The panels are glued together and either pressed or placed in a vacuum to bond the sheathing and core together. This is a very rigid and strong type of wall insulation with a high R-value and strength to weight ratio.
Crawl Space
Crawl spaces are a real challenge to insulate. The dirt floor, open vents and block walls make it a tough area for insulation. Adding insulation in this area helps regulate temperature and moisture, and reduces pest problems and mold issues.
The best method for insulating crawl space is through encapsulation. This involves removing any existing insulation, sealing all openings, and adding a vapor barrier to the floor. This creates a conditioned space under the home that’s similar to the living spaces above. It also prevents the passage of outside air from lowering temperatures and increasing humidity in the crawl space, which could cause wood rot, mold and pest problems.
Before you begin a crawl space encapsulation project, it’s important to take a thorough look at the space. If there are any signs of dampness or moisture, you’ll need to remove the affected insulation and dry the space thoroughly. Moisture can lead to mold and mildew, as well as water damage and wood rot. It can also contribute to high energy bills and unhealthy indoor air quality.
There are many different products that can be used to insulate a crawl space, including fiberglass batts, spray foam and rigid foam. However, spray foam is usually the most difficult for do-it-yourselfers to work with, and requires specialized equipment that’s not commonly available to homeowners. The best option for do-it-yourselfers is to use a plastic vapor barrier on the crawl space floor, then add a layer of rigid foam insulation on top of it.
The vapor barrier will help to keep out moisture, and the rigid foam insulation will provide a thermal and vapor barrier between the crawl space and the house above it. If you are interested in improving your crawl space with insulation, contact a professional for a consultation and estimate. They will be able to recommend the best solution for your home.
Garage
The garage is an often overlooked area for insulating, but it can be a very efficient and affordable home improvement. Insulating the garage will reduce airflow and therefore heat transfer, helping keep the garage cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It can also help lessen exterior noise like traffic or loud neighbors.
The type of insulation you need will depend on what you plan to use the garage for. If it will be a utility room then 50mm insulation is probably sufficient, but if you are converting it to accommodation then it will need more than that to comply with building regulations and to be comfortable to live in.
Rigid foam insulation is a good option for insulating the garage. It comes in 4-foot-by-8-foot sheets that are cut to size upon installation and is very thin, meaning it can fit into tight spots. It also has a high R-Value rating, which means it will provide an excellent level of insulation. It can be used on its own or in combination with fiberglass or cellulose insulation to boost the R-Value of the garage walls.
A vapor barrier should be placed over the insulation to protect the garage from moisture penetration. This is especially important if you are in a cold climate where the insulation will be subjected to constant moisture condensation, which can damage the wall studs and lead to rot and mold.
Installing a vapor barrier is not a DIY job, so if you don’t have experience, it may be worth hiring a professional. A professional will also be able to help you find energy-efficiency rebates and income-based programs in your area, which can reduce the cost of the project significantly.
Generally speaking, upgrading your insulation is one of the best home improvements you can make. It will not only make your house more comfortable, but it will also save money on energy costs and reduce the environmental impact of your home. So, if your garage is uninsulated, give it a thought – it could be a very worthwhile investment!
