Hazards of DIY Attic Insulation Removal

Insulation inside an attic space will reduce your home’s heat transfer by sealing gaps around the roof deck. Without outside air seeping indoors, your home will be more energy efficient and maintain comfortable temperatures. So, what happens if you need to replace old, moldy, or wet insulation?

The hazards of DIY attic insulation removal are plentiful, which is why you should seek professional attic insulation removal services. In the guide below, Woodstock’s insulation removal team from Anthem Insulation & Home explains why insulation removal isn’t an ideal do-it-yourself project.

Top Dangers of Do-It-Yourself Insulation Removal

Unlike other home improvement projects, DIY attic insulation removal can cause more harm than good. Here are some of the problems and dangers of handling your own attic insulation material.

1. Denied Insurance Claims

Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with because they’re for-profit businesses. They are more likely to deny insurance claims for roof damages if they uncover unauthorized changes to the attic or roof.

If you must file a homeowner’s insurance claim in the future, you’ll have difficulty proving a licensed professional worked on your house. DIY attic insulation removal will likely result in a denied claim.

2. Legal Consequences

Attic insulation removal has legal requirements and regulations. Legal guidelines exist because the project can expose pipes and electrical wiring behind walls. Like many other structural projects, attic insulation removal might require a permit to ensure that the project doesn’t damage plumbing, electrical, or HVAC systems. 

3. Lack of Proper Tools and Protective Gear

Attic insulation installation and removal require specialized tools and equipment. Even if you have a decent understanding of insulation removal, you wouldn’t do an adequate job without the right equipment and protective gear. Everyday tools aren’t acceptable for the project. 

For instance, you would need protective gloves, goggles, and a commercial-grade vacuum with a HEPA filter to clean the attic after removing fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass sheds tiny pieces of glass that will irritate your skin and lungs.

The protective gear will shield your body from the insulation. The vacuum with a high-grade filter will ensure you remove all the debris and prevent the fibers from becoming airborne. 

4. Exposure to Airborne Toxins

Removing old, wet, or moldy insulation will disturb allergens like dust and mold spores, causing them to go airborne. You could develop allergy-like symptoms breathing in these particles, like coughing and itchy eyes. 

Some types of insulation are toxic. For instance, some materials contain formaldehyde, which causes mouth, nose, eye, and respiratory problems if you breathe it in. Carcinogenic asbestos in insulation is another concern which can cause lung disease. 

Turn to Anthem Insulation & Home for All Your Insulation Needs

DIY attic insulation removal can cause significant damage to your home, health, and budget. Put your trust in Anthem Insulation & Home, a trusted Woodstock, GA, home insulation company specializing in attic insulation installation and removal. No matter the type of insulation your home has, their team can safely and effectively remove it and install quality insulation materials, including cellulose insulation, spray foam, and blown-in insulation. 

Contact Anthem Insulation & Home today to request a free estimate.

Moisture in Crawl Space: Is It Normal?

If your home in Woodstock, GA, has a crawl space instead of a basement, you might not realize it has a humidity problem right away. Many homeowners wonder if moisture in crawl spaces is normal or a sign of an underlying problem.

It’s reasonable to assume humidity levels in a crawl space are naturally high due to weather changes. However, the area should be as dry as possible. Anthem Insulation & Home specializes in crawl space insulation in Woodstock, GA. Here, the team explains how moisture gets inside crawl spaces and why it’s not good for a house. 

What Causes Crawl Space Moisture

It’s typical for homes on below-grade lands in Woodstock to have moisture in crawl spaces. The dampness stems from evaporated water in the soil beneath the house. Due to constant evaporation and condensation, crawl spaces can have a lot of moisture.

Humid summers lead to persistent soil moisture evaporation. Outdoor humidity and winds will also get inside crawl spaces, leading to additional condensation. Even if the air feels dry, moisture can quickly accumulate inside a crawl space and cause serious problems for the building. 

Eventually, water vapor will seep through hollow spaces and gaps in the foundation walls, floor beams, or crawl space insulation. Without vapor barriers to protect the area beneath the house, mold, mildew, wood rot, and foul odors can develop inside the home. 

Other ways water can enter your crawl space include:

• Clogged gutters
• Local flooding
• Plumbing leaks

When to Worry About Moisture

Ideally, crawl spaces should have no more than 55% humidity. Excess moisture in the air can lead to puddle formation under the house and mold growth. According to a study about fungal levels in damp crawl spaces, about 19% of the participating homes with mold contamination in wet crawl spaces saw increased mold spore levels inside the main house through the HVAC system.  

It only takes 24 to 48 hours for mold colonies to grow in damp environments, which makes crawl spaces a possible breeding ground for microbes. Though it is normal for these spaces to be damp, the risk of mold spores infiltrating your home’s HVAC system increases in highly humid conditions. 

If your crawl space exceeds the ideal humidity level for several consecutive days, look for signs of trouble, like black, moldy spots on walls, floors, and other support structures. Also, check for puddles in the crawl space and a musty smell, which usually indicates mold colonies.

How to Keep Your Crawl Space Dry

The best way to regulate moisture in crawl spaces is to encapsulate it in a sturdy moisture barrier. Other moisture prevention methods include:

• Installing a sump pump to eliminate pooling water
• Replacing wet insulation and debris
• Cleaning gutters and downspouts regularly
• Repairing leaky pipes and foundation cracks

Insulate Your Crawlspace with Anthem Insulation & Home

Professionally installed crawl space insulation and vapor barriers will shield houses from excessive moisture in crawl spaces. The Anthem Insulation & Home team in Woodstock, GA, has over a decade of experience insulating crawl spaces and attics. Contact the team today to request an appointment.

Many homeowners avoid looking inside their attics. Insulation is the most important feature of your attic, even if you don’t go up there very often. If you smell something bad in your attic, you might wonder about removing attic insulation.

Insulation is crucial in keeping your home comfortable during summer and winter but can lose effectiveness over time. Contact Anthem Insulation & Home to work with Woodstock’s attic insulation experts when you need to remove insulation in your attic space. 

Not sure if you need to remove your home’s attic insulation? Here are some situations where it might be necessary.

1. Rodent Infestation 

Attic insulation is an ideal home for pests like rats and mice because they are warm and dry spaces. Rodents can rip up and carry away insulation for nest building. The damaged and torn insulation results in lower performance and R-values.

A rodent infestation can pose serious health risks, so removing your damaged attic insulation is highly recommended. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that rodents can cause hantavirus, rat-bite fever, monkeypox, etc. Rodents can also spread diseases through their urine and droppings.

2. Mold Damage

The hot and humid conditions in attics are ideal for mold growth. If you notice a musty smell in your attic, your insulation may have mold. Removing insulation contaminated by mold is crucial because it can cause respiratory issues otherwise.

The most common mold remediation method is chemical-based, which kills mold using powerful cleaning agents. Antifungal sealers applied around the attic can prevent the recurrence of mold. A professional contractor can safely dispose of the mold by removing attic insulation.

3. Water Damage

Attic insulation can sustain water damage from a leak in your roof or HVAC system. If the leak is minor, you may be able to dry out the wet insulation. Usually, the effectiveness of your insulation lowers when compression or water contamination occurs.

Different types of insulation react differently to moisture. For example, cellulose loose-fill insulation is highly absorbent, so your attic can retain moisture for a long period, causing mold growth. All water-damaged insulation areas will need removal and replacement.

4. Installing Spray Foam Insulation 

Attics that need spray foam insulation will require the complete removal of the old insulation. Removing old and ineffective insulation is also essential to keep your family healthy. Allergens and moisture can remain trapped in fiberglass and cellulose.

The spray foam application needs to cover every nook and cranny of the attic to create an air-tight seal. Any other insulation material will interfere with and hinder the performance of the spray foam. A high-power vacuum can remove the old insulation. 

Call the Experts for Attic Insulation Removal

Attic cleaning begins with removing old insulation, so schedule an appointment for an insulation inspection. Anthem Insulation & Home helps homeowners by safely removing attic insulation and educating them on the benefits of attic insulation. Experts can replace and install new insulation that meets the needs of your home and budget. 

Contact Anthem Insulation & Home in Woodstock, GA, today for a free attic insulation removal consultation.

If you’re repairing or winterizing the insulation in your home, you might wonder, “Do I need to remove old insulation before installing new insulation?” Don’t simply guess or rely on friends or online tutorials when you can turn to Anthem Insulation & Home, a team of qualified professionals who have removed insulation from countless homes.

We can help you plan your renovations efficiently, saving you money on installation costs and energy bills. Anthem Insulation & Home is the top provider of wall and floor insulation in Woodstock, GA.

Understanding the Installation Process

During insulation installation, a professional insulation specialist at Anthem Insulation & Home will inspect the insulation’s position, composition, and condition. They will consider the following questions and discuss them with you during consultation at some point during the project preparation phase.

• Will removing the insulation expose you or the technicians to harmful chemicals in the air?
• Will the old insulation reduce the effectiveness of the new insulation?
• Is the old insulation in good condition?
• Does the space where the old insulation sits have enough room for the placement of the old insulation?

Things to Consider

The question, “Do I need to remove old insulation before installing new insulation,” is a starting point. A more informative question is, “What are the consequences of removing insulation or leaving it in place?” Before you touch your insulation, consider how each of the following factors could affect the decision:

The Type of Old Insulation

Most insulation materials that builders use in residential homes are spray foam, roll, or batt insulation. Roll or batt insulation consists of flat layers that are easy to remove if you need to unless they have damage. You can also leave it in place and put new layers over it.

If your current insulation contains the cancer-causing chemical asbestos or vermiculite, a mineral that can include some asbestos, do not try to remove the insulation yourself.

Disturbing the old insulation could release particles of insulation into the air, where you or your family members could breathe them in.

A professional will use specialized equipment and protective gear to keep themselves and anyone else in the house safe during the removal process.

The Type of New Insulation

Spray foam insulation is different; it completely fills the space you want to insulate, leaving no gaps. A good seal can improve the effectiveness of the insulation, but old insulation will get in the way. If you have old insulation of any type already in place, your installation technician will have to vacuum it out before spraying in the new insulation.

One type of insulation, called faced insulation, contains a layer that fits against a wall of the house and forms a seal to keep out moisture and prevents it from coming loose over time. The face layer does not work well if you place it against existing insulation. Instead, either remove the old insulation or face the new insulation inward so it can form a seal with an existing wall. 

Damage to Your Insulation

You are better off removing your insulation if it has water damage or if animals shredded it. Damaged insulation can leave spaces for air, water, or animals, ultimately compromising the structural integrity and energy efficiency of the new insulation. Damaged insulation can also breed mold and bacteria, which could infiltrate the home’s ventilation system.

The question, “Do I need to remove old insulation before installing new insulation?” is not always straightforward. If a homeowner tried to replace their own insulation as a DIY project, it could lead to long-term problems.

Mistakes in the installation process can be expensive to fix later on. Once you wall up the old insulation, you might have to tear up the plaster or drywall if you change your mind and decide to remove it.

Replace Insulation the Safe and Effective Way with Anthem Insulation & Home

Homes in our Woodstock, GA, community have a rich history. Our neighborhoods have a mixture of older and modern homes built with diverse materials using different construction techniques. The Anthem Insulation & Home specialists are ready to help you answer the question, “Do I need to remove old insulation before installing new insulation?” and develop a comprehensive renovation plan.To learn more about the Anthem Insulation & Home insulation removal guide, send us a message online or call us today. Take the weight off your HVAC system, and enjoy warmer air and comfort throughout the year.

When many people think of home insulation, they imagine rolls of insulation between the beams of a house. As such, it might seem impossible to install insulation for an exterior wall of the house without having to cut away the drywall.

Fortunately, if you know how to insulate a wall without removing the drywall, you can save time and money on your insulation project. Anthem Insulation & Home ranks among the best-known and most trusted wall and floor insulation contractors in Woodstock, GA. They know the professional secrets to effective, stable insulation without having to redo drywall.

Don’t feel like you have to ruin your interior design by ripping down your walls and covering furniture in dust and debris. Don’t put off installing quality insulation and wind up paying skyrocketing bills this winter. Protect yourself by learning how to insulate a wall without removing the drywall.

Choosing the Right Insulation

Homeowners can insulate their homes in many ways, using many different types of insulation. Using the right insulation and the proper professional insulation technique allows you to protect your home from the cold without tearing down and rebuilding walls. 

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray and foam insulation can be more convenient if you already have drywall in place because you only need a small opening to insert the drywall.

Roll / Batt Insulation

Roll and batt insulation are two types of insulation you can apply to your walls. Roll insulation consists of long sheets that you can cut to the height of your walls, while batt consists of squares of insulation. Both types of insulation take up space, so they prove more of a challenge to apply to a wall once the drywall is in place.

Insulating Ground Floor Exterior Walls

The easiest way to install insulation on an exterior wall at the ground floor level of a home without going through the drywall involves removing some of the exterior siding and applying foam insulation behind the drywall. Cover the opening with a tarp to prevent rainwater or debris from getting to the insulation during the job. 

Adding insulation to a second-story wall through the house’s exterior adds some difficulty because you will be working off the ground.  

Insulating Finished Attics

Even though many homeowners often leave attics unfinished, they still may need to improve the insulation in their attics after installing the drywall. Perhaps a previous owner installed the drywall and forgot to put in enough insulation. Even so, the problem proves easy to fix with some patience.

Eventually, your roof will need repair or replacement. When it does, add foam insulation, roll, or batt insulation after you or your contractor has torn off the roof. If you don’t want to wait, you could make a small opening in the roof and add foam insulation. However, it might be more difficult than drilling openings in the drywall and patching them up.

Insulating Finished Basements

The best way to install insulation is before you finish the basement and install drywall. However, with an already-finished basement, you can still add insulation without damaging the drywall.

It might seem like a puzzle learning how to insulate a wall without removing the drywall if you can’t get to it from the outside. Your best option might be to gain access to the space from above and add spray foam insulation.

Insulate Other Parts of the House

Knowing how to insulate a wall without removing the drywall also means recognizing other ways that heat can leave your home. You can improve your home’s ability to retain heat by insulating other areas as well, such as:

• Pipes
• HVAC ducts
• Windows
• Doors

If you slow down the loss of heat from your home by sealing off other avenues of escape, you might be able to bring heating costs down without having to fix the insulation in your walls at all.

Hanging decorative materials such as carpeting or tapestries on the wall will reduce heat loss as well. It also works to add curtains and some other window treatments.

Keep Your Home Warm Year Round With Professional Insulation Installation From Anthem Insulation & Home

Was our article, “How To Insulate a Wall Without Removing the Drywall: Steps by the Pros.” informative? If so, read our other blog posts for more tips and how-to guides. If you want more information about how to insulate a wall without removing the drywall, call us today to discuss your next insulation or wildlife removal job.

Professionals in the building industry constantly search for and invent new ways to create reliable air seals for homes and other buildings. As Woodstock attic insulation contractors, Anthem Insulation & Home get very excited about new insulation technology, and so should you. Newer technologies mean better energy efficiency and temperature control inside your home. 

Three New Insulation Technologies You Should Know About

Below, they discuss some new insulation products that are changing how the building industry thinks about insulation. Products like these can help you reduce energy bills and maintain a more consistent temperature inside your home. 

1. Insulated Siding

Energy efficiency programs like ENERGY STAR® have embraced a new idea that brings insulation material to the outside of the home. Insulated siding products include insulating foam on the backs of the vinyl panels to help prevent heat loss. 

2. Modified Atmosphere Insulation

Atmosphere insulation panels often contain many tiny bubbles of air, which provide the insulation. A new insulation technology sucks all the air from these small bubbles during manufacturing, creating an even more effective insulation material.

3. Vacuum Glass

Window manufacturers typically use argon and krypton gas to fill the spaces between glass panes and create an insulation layer. Newer glass technology has begun creating vacuums with no air between glass panes that are much closer together. This new technology has the potential to reduce heat loss through windows during the cold season significantly. 

Three More Excellent Insulation Products

If you want to make your home as energy efficient as possible and prevent heat loss during the winter, consider these other essential insulation products:

1. Insulated Garage Doors

If your garage shares walls with your house, you can reduce heat loss by installing an insulated garage door. Adding this extra insulation barrier can improve energy efficiency by up to 33%, so homeowners who want to turn their garages into bedrooms, dens, or other livable spaces often use insulated garage doors to keep their new rooms comfortable. 

2. Insulated Entry Doors

Thermal-resistant materials like polyurethane foam help keep heat in or out of an air-sealed space. Doors constructed using materials like these rather than standard wood provide much better insulation for your home.   

3. UV Resistant Paint

Many paint additive products help protect against radiant heat from the sun. When mixed with paint, these additives block a significant amount of UV radiation, lowering energy costs and expanding the life of exterior home materials. 

At Anthem Insulation & Home, they’re excited to see what new insulation technology comes out next. 

Contact Anthem Insulation & Home for Insulation in Woodstock

If you need insulation services for your home in or around Atlanta, GA, let their team of experienced insulation installers take care of you. They’ll help you choose the ideal insulation material for your home and budget to ensure lasting comfort. 

Anthem Insulation & Home offers discounts for veterans, first responders, and educators, as well as free energy audits for all customers. Contact them today to schedule your free audit.

Many homeowners ask us the difference between injection foam vs. spray foam. Generally, injection foam does not expand, whereas spray foam expands depending on the open or closed-cell structure. If you’re looking to install or replace insulation in your home, work with the top insulation contractor in Cumming, GA. 

Injection Foam vs. Spray Foam Insulation

Below are the three main differences between injection and spray foam insulation.

1. Installation Method

Injection Foam

Injection foam installation involves injecting foam into walls, roof cavities, and closed spaces. As a significant benefit, existing walls don’t need demolishing before installation. Additionally, injection foam takes less time to prepare than spray foam.

Contractors use injection foam, known as ArmorFoam, to insulate enclosed spaces. Injection foam insulation’s texture is similar to shaving cream. Before application, injection foam must undergo the mixing of a foaming agent, water, and resin.

Injection foam does not require removing the old or existing insulation. However, the contractor may remove cellulose insulation from the walls before installing it. As a result, the injection foam will fill and spread through the entire surface. 

Spray Foam

Spray foam insulation consists of chemicals derived from petroleum extracts. The foam combines two liquids, resulting in a chemical reaction to create polyurethane foam. Professionals can install spray foam insulation in open cavities, including walls, crawl spaces, and attics.

Before applying spray foam, the contractor will remove all the old fiberglass and cellulose. Spray foam adheres well to clean surfaces and fills spaces more consistently. With spray foam insulation, you can fill every gap and crevice.

Spray foam requires more preparation time than injection foam because the contractors have to move the furniture and other household items. Then, a plastic sheet or wrap covers the flooring to prevent spray foam from getting on them.

2. Air Sealing and R-Value

R-value and air sealing are crucial factors when comparing injection foam vs. spray foam.

Both injection foam and spray foam insulation create an air seal but have different R-values. Air leaks can increase your heating and cooling bills by up to 30%.

R-value indicates how well the insulation performs, so a higher value means better insulation. Although the R-value is important, it’s not the only deciding factor.

Injection foam insulation achieves an insulation rating of R-18, depending on the cavity size. In comparison, the R-value for open-cell spray foam falls between 3.6 to 3.9 per inch. The closed-cell spray foam has an R-value of 6 and 7.

3. Open-Cell vs. Closed-Cell Foam

Injection foam consists of an open-cell structure that will not expand. In contrast, spray foam has open and closed-cell types. Injection foam works best with enclosed and existing walls, whereas spray foam is better for open walls and crawl spaces.

Unlike open-cell foam, which remains lightweight, closed-cell tends to stay stiff and dense. Since open-cell insulation can move with the foundation of the house, it’s better suited for homes. A closed-cell structure works better on pole barns with exposed walls. 

Reliable Foam Insulation Installation in Cumming, GA

Anthem Insulation & Home has over ten years of experience installing insulation. Their contractors understand the importance of insulating your home. They offer free in-home consultations to discuss your specific needs and create a solution.Hopefully, now you understand the difference between injection foam vs. spray foam. Contact Anthem Insulation & Home today for more information on professional insulation installation in Cumming, GA and to know if it’s possible to over-insulate your house.