Insulation Removal & Replacement in Panama City, FL

Insulation removal and replacement is the right call when the material in your attic or under your floor is doing more harm than good. Around Panama City that often traces back to a storm. Hurricane Michael came ashore near Mexico Beach on October 10, 2018 with 161 mph sustained winds according to the National Weather Service, and homes across Bay County lost shingles, decking and sometimes whole sections of roof. Rain that came in through a damaged roof soaked attic insulation, and in some houses that wet insulation was left in place after the roof was fixed. Wet insulation loses much of its value, can hold moisture against the drywall and framing, and can grow mold.

Other reasons to pull it out

Rodents and roaches nest in attic insulation, and droppings and urine make it unhealthy to leave in place. Raccoons and squirrels flatten it. Old insulation can be compressed or settled to a fraction of its original depth. Sometimes a sealed attic is going in and the floor insulation has to come out so the attic can be used. And sometimes the inspection on a home purchase finds insulation that is dirty, thin or contaminated with debris from earlier roof work.

How removal works

We use a high-powered vacuum that pulls loose insulation through a hose to a bag or truck outside, so the material does not get dragged through the house. Batts are bagged by hand. Once the attic is clear, we can sanitize where pests were active, and we seal the ceiling while it is wide open, which is the easiest time to do it. Then the new insulation goes in: blown-in over the sealed ceiling, or spray foam on the roof deck if a sealed attic is the plan.

Spray foam removal

Old spray foam is harder to remove than loose fill because it is bonded to the surface. It usually has to be cut and scraped off. HomeAdvisor notes that foam costs more to remove than other types, and Fixr puts foam removal at $1.50 to $3 per square foot and up to about $5 when it has to be chipped by hand. We remove foam when it was badly installed, when it is hiding roof damage, or when a remodel requires it.

Asbestos and vermiculite

Some older homes have vermiculite insulation, a gray-brown, pebbly material that may contain asbestos. We do not disturb it. If we see it, we stop and recommend testing; if it tests positive, removal has to be done by a licensed asbestos abatement firm. HomeAdvisor lists asbestos removal at $1,190 to $3,255.

If you are not sure what is in your attic, we will take a look. Get a free estimate