Insulation Removal & Replacement in Beaverton, OR

Insulation removal and replacement is the right call when the existing material is doing more harm than good. Most of the time, adding new insulation over old is fine. But insulation that is soaked from a roof leak, matted with rodent droppings and urine, moldy, or packed over air leaks that need sealing should come out before anything new goes in.

Signs the insulation needs to come out

• Droppings, tunnels, nests or a urine smell in the attic or crawl space
• Water stains, compressed or clumped insulation from a past roof leak
• Mold on the insulation or the framing around it
• Batts in the crawl space that are wet, heavy or lying on the ground
• Smoke or fire damage
• A remodel that needs full access to the attic floor for wiring or air sealing

Rodent-damaged insulation

Mice and rats are a common reason for removal in Washington County attics and crawl spaces. They tunnel through insulation, compress it, and leave droppings and urine that create odor and health concerns. The CDC advises against sweeping or vacuuming rodent droppings or nesting material until it has been thoroughly wetted with disinfectant, and says contaminated insulation should be put in plastic bags for removal. We follow that approach: protective gear for the crew, contaminated material bagged or removed with a sealed system, the framing and ground cover sanitized, and nothing new installed until the space is clean.

Seal the entry points

New insulation is wasted if rodents come straight back. Gaps around pipes, vents, the roof-to-wall line and foundation vents with damaged screens are typical entry points. We point out what we see during removal, and we recommend working with your pest control company so trapping and exclusion are finished before reinsulation.

How removal works

Loose-fill in an attic is removed with a high-powered insulation vacuum. The hose runs from the attic to a collection unit outside, so the material does not travel through your living space. Batts are pulled by hand and bagged. Once the attic or crawl space is clear, we inspect the bare framing, which is the best chance you will have to air seal every penetration, check wiring and fix ventilation.

Vermiculite is different

If your attic has vermiculite, a pebble-like loose-fill that is usually gray-brown or silver-gold, we will not remove it. The EPA says most vermiculite sold in the U.S. from 1919 to 1990 came from a mine in Libby, Montana that was contaminated with asbestos, and advises homeowners to assume vermiculite contains asbestos and not disturb it. Removal is a job for a licensed asbestos abatement contractor.

Replacement

After cleanup and air sealing, we reinsulate to the R-value on your quote, usually blown-in fiberglass or cellulose in the attic and supported batts or foam under the floor. Because the space starts empty, the new insulation goes in evenly to full depth, which is often a noticeable improvement over what was there before even setting aside the contamination.