Insulation Removal in Des Moines, IA

Insulation removal is not needed on every job, but when it is, it comes first. Old insulation gets wet from roof leaks, packed down by years of storage, soiled by mice, raccoons or bats, or full of debris from past remodels. In older Des Moines houses, it can also be loose material that blocks the air sealing we want to do on the attic floor. We vacuum it out, bag it and haul it away, seal what was underneath, and insulate again.

Signs it is time

We recommend removal when the insulation is wet or moldy, has animal droppings or nesting in it, smells, has been crushed flat by storage or foot traffic, or is so uneven that topping up would leave cold spots. If it is dry and clean, we usually leave it and add more on top. Removal adds cost, so we only suggest it when it pays.

Vermiculite: stop and test

Some older homes have vermiculite, a loose, gray-brown, pebbly fill. Some vermiculite contains asbestos. If we find it, we do not disturb it. We recommend testing, and if it contains asbestos, removal by a licensed abatement contractor before we do any work in that space.

Basements after water

In basements that took water, fiberglass behind plastic or paneling often stays damp long after the water is gone. We pull it out, let the wall dry, and replace it with closed-cell foam on the rim and walls so the problem does not come back.

Removing spray foam

Sprayed foam can be removed, but it is slow work: it is cut or scraped off the framing by hand. It costs more than removing loose fill, and HomeAdvisor notes that removing foam is pricier than other types. We do it when foam was installed over a leak, hides damage, or was installed badly.

After removal

With the attic empty, it is the easiest time to seal every top plate, chase and penetration. Then we install new insulation to the depth you choose, usually toward the R-49 Iowa's code table sets for ceilings. Get a free estimate