Removing Floating Insulation From Attic
For walkthrough areas place a sheet of plastic over the opening and secure with tape.
Removing floating insulation from attic. It could be purchased locally and could be installed by contractor or homeowner. Loose fill insulation can be vacuumed out but this used insulation can t be blown back in without risk of damage to the machine. Place a large tarp wherever you plan to unload the filled garbage bags. Use the commercial vacuum hose to clean the attic floor.
Always use unfaced batts both when laying product for the first time and to prevent moisture from becoming trapped between new and old layers of insulation. To maneuver around the attic safely lay large planks at least 6 inches wide across the joists. Unfortunately almost all vermiculite insulation contains asbestos and is unsafe when disturbed. Start the commercial vacuum a helper will be required to monitor the vacuum while in operation.
Place a new layer of unfaced batts perpendicular to the old layer to cover any gaps in the lower layer. As you work back toward the attic access point drop the rolled insulation in a large garbage bag. Respirator masks for vermiculite removal vermiculite is a natural mineral that expands into lightweight fire resistant and absorbent odorless and wormlike forms when heated. You can buy them unfaced or simply remove the paper or foil backing.
Climb into the attic begin removal. It s best to start at the farthest corner of your attic and roll up the batts or fold them over as you roll. Vermiculite was a common attic insulation product sold from the late 1920s to the early 1990s. With these in place you ll be able to walk around the attic while removing the insulation.
Gradually pull the vacuum toward you as it sucks up the insulation. Roll up each piece of insulation by hand place collected insulation into waste bag. Remove attic insulation from a 2000 sq ft house. The do it yourself project.
When used as insulation vermiculite tends to be pebblelike and light brown poured loose between an attic s floor joists. Approximately 2500 over contractor estimate for removal. Some attic spaces are very small and tight finding creative ways to maneuver the vacuum inside the attic will go a long way. Removing or relocating insulation in an attic is hot dirty work.