The Removal Process for Insulation
Homeowners use insulation to prevent heat from escaping their homes during cold weather and to prevent heat from entering their homes during warm weather. Unfortunately, over time insulation can become damaged or contaminated, requiring removal. You may also need to remove existing insulation when you are renovating or upgrading your home's insulation. The removal process for insulation is straightforward but can --- in some instances --- require the use of specialized equipment. Does this Spark an idea?
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Importance
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Removing and replacing damaged or contaminated insulation in the home is essential. In addition to being less efficient than new, clean insulation, old insulation can produce strong, unpleasant odors and is a potential health hazard. While dust mite infestations in old insulation can trigger allergic reactions in a home's occupants, buildups of animal excrement and urine can be a source of disease. While you may save time by covering damaged and contaminated insulation with new insulation, removing the old insulation first will maximize sanitation and can prevent potential moisture problems.
Hand Removal
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For homes that contain pink fiberglass foam batt insulation, hand removal is the simplest and most reliable removal process. The process requires that you wear work gloves, long-sleeved clothing, a face mask and --- ideally --- goggles. All of this protective clothing is necessary because coming in contact with the fiberglass fibers that comprise the insulation can cause mechanical abrasions of the skin, while inhaling fiberglass fibers can cause breathing difficulties. Removing the insulation by hand requires that you gently pull down each section of foam and then place it in a plastic bag for disposal. This process helps minimize the spread of fiberglass fibers in the air.
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Vacuuming
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Whether spaces of your home utilize blow-in insulation, which consists of fiberglass fibers that have been spray-bonded to structures, or you have highly degraded batt insulation that you cannot remove by hand, vacuuming is one of the most popular insulation removal options. However, you cannot simply pick up your residential vacuum cleaner, aim it at the insulation and hit the "On" button. Instead, you need to use a commercial high-efficiency particulate arrestance, or HEPA-certified, vacuum cleaner. Scrape its nozzle along the surface to loosen stubborn fibers. In addition to providing more suction power than residential vacuums, HEPA-certified commercial vacuums are more effective at removing fiberglass fibers from the air, as they can capture particles that are just 0.3 microns in size.
Tips
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To make sure that chunks and fibers of insulation do not dirty the floors of your home when you carry them out, cover the floors with drop cloths or plastic sheets. After you've completed the insulation removal, clean your work clothes in a separate washing machine load, and take a warm, thorough shower. These practices will help reduce the risk of skin abrasion.
Warning
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If you know or suspect that the insulation in your home contains asbestos, contact a professional before beginning any removal process. Asbestos is carcinogenic, which means it has the potential to cause cancer.
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