Insulation Removal in Erie, PA

Insulation removal is the right first step when what is in the attic is doing more harm than good. Ice dam leaks are common in the snowbelt, and insulation soaked by them clumps, loses most of its value and can stay damp against the ceiling. Mice and squirrels nest in old fill and contaminate it. Years of storage pack it down. In each case, clearing it out gives a clean surface to air seal and a fresh start.

How we remove it

Loose fill is pulled out through a large vacuum hose into bags or a collection unit outside, so it never comes down through the house. Batts are bagged by hand. Once the attic floor is clear, we seal the top plates, wiring holes, stacks and chases, then install new insulation to the depth you choose.

Vermiculite

Some older homes have vermiculite attic fill: light, pebbly, gray-brown or gold. Some vermiculite contains asbestos. It should be tested before anyone disturbs it, and if it contains asbestos, removal is a job for a licensed abatement contractor. We point it out if we see it and do not disturb it.

Spray foam removal

Occasionally old spray foam has to come out, for example when it was sprayed over a leak or never cured properly. That is slow work done by cutting and scraping. HomeGuide lists foam removal at $1.00 to $2.50 per square foot; Fixr's range runs up to about $5 when it must be chipped out by hand.

After an ice dam or a home inspection

Many removal jobs start after an ice dam leak or a home inspection that found wet or contaminated insulation. We give you a written scope and price, and we explain what caused the problem so the new insulation does not suffer the same fate.