Insulation batts are installed to protect your home from high and low temperatures. Over time these batts get damaged and will need to be replaced. Especially when they are installed in ceilings because they are prone to getting wet. Even wall insulation batts also need to be replaced once they start to age.
Removing old insulation batts can be a messy and time-consuming task, but it is necessary for many reasons. Wet insulations can bring mould and mildew, which then cause structural problems as time passes. If the insulated material gets damaged or altered, the cost of your energy bills might increase.
Also, the old damaged material can cause airborne diseases. For your own and your family’s safety and health, it’s important to have the old insulations removed.
If you have decided to install new insulation material and to remove old batts in your home yourself, you might need a little help.
Here are seven tips on how to remove old insulation batts:
Turn off power
Before anything else, turn off the power of your home. It is a precautionary step so that if there are any wires present in the walls, you can avoid getting hurt. If the power is turned on while removing batts, there is a chance the wires attached to the wall may harm you and cause serious injury.Put on protective wear
There might be hazardous materials in your attic. Additionally, your insulation has irritants that may not be safe to touch directly. So, homeowners need to be careful while dealing with insulated walls and attics. The fiberglass in batt insulation is mostly harmless when they're not disturbed; however, it may harm you if disturbed during the installation of insulation.
Putting on protective wear like a disposable bodysuit, safety glasses, gloves, and a ventilation mask will help you to handle these hazardous materials. So, always keep safety in mind.Roll up old insulation batts
Batt insulation can be rolled up, stuffed into plastic sacks, and thrown away. This is the easiest way to remove insulation. For rolling up old batts, work from top to bottom. Batts also contain fiberglass that can irritate the skin. So, it’s advisable to wear gloves and protective wear.
Simply, start rolling and then pack all the material into large plastic bags. If you are not familiar with the process, it’s best to consult an expert.Place them into double-thick rubbish bags
You cannot put your old insulation material in just any bag. It’s good to place them into double-thick bags. If the bags are thin, then there is a good chance that they will rip through the bad and slip out. There are some particles of fiberglass that can scratch someone’s skin, so it’s better to place this material into double-thick bags for safety purposes.Check with the local council for disposal
Whenever you've bagged up the fiberglass insulation, you can't just throw it in the garbage can. Contact your nearby waste management authority or regional department. They will guide you to the closest waste area or structure materials removal site.
If you throw your insulation material in a bin near you, then you will be fined. Every area has specific zones or waste management areas for structural waste.Sweep up loose fiberglass
After removing batts and packing them into bags, you will still find some particles of loose fiberglass left behind. They can irritate skin and eyes. So, sweeping up the loose fiberglass immediately is the best solution.
After sweeping and cleaning, pack the remaining material with others and dispose of them at a specific structural waste management or removal site.Get professional help
For some people removing insulation batts can be a DIY task, but for others with no knowledge, it can be a tough task that involves health risks. You may end up messing with all the removed material or face difficulties during installation. In such cases, it will be worth getting a professional to do it in order to ensure that dangerous substances are disposed of appropriately and the insulation is properly installed.
Hopefully, these tips will be helpful in your task of removing old insulations. It is advisable here not to go for DIY if you don’t have specific knowledge about the work. If you’re unsure, always seek an expert’s help.
