Insulation Removal & Replacement in Muskegon, MI

Insulation removal and replacement is the right move when what is in the attic or basement is doing harm. Around Muskegon the usual reasons are attic insulation soaked by years of ice dam leaks, insulation full of mouse or squirrel nests, fiberglass blackened by air leaks, and basement or crawl space batts that have fallen and gone moldy. New insulation on top of damaged material just buries the problem.

Removal method

Loose fill in attics is vacuumed out through a large hose into bags outside the house. Batts are pulled by hand and bagged. After removal we clean up the debris, check the decking and framing for water damage, and find the cause, whether it is an ice dam leak path, a roof leak, or rodent entry. Then the attic is ready to seal and reinsulate.

After ice dam damage

If ice dams have backed water into the attic, the insulation along the eaves is often wet and compressed. We remove it, check the roof decking and top plates for rot, and then seal and reinsulate so the attic stays cold enough to prevent the next dam. Roof repairs come first.

Hazards

Vermiculite, a pebbly gray-brown fill found in some older attics, may contain asbestos. If we see it we stop and recommend testing; HomeAdvisor lists asbestos abatement by a licensed firm at $1,190 to $3,255. Rodent waste is handled with protective gear. Old wiring is flagged.

Removing failed foam

Foam that was mixed wrong, sprayed over wet framing or is blocking repairs sometimes has to come out. HomeGuide lists foam removal at $1.00 to $2.50 per square foot; Fixr lists $1.50 to $3, up to about $5 when it has to be chipped by hand.