Insulation Removal & Replacement in Palm Bay, FL

Insulation removal and replacement is often needed in Palm Bay after a roof leak, a hurricane or a rodent problem. Wet insulation loses much of its value and can hold moisture against the ceiling. Insulation full of droppings is a health and odor problem. Insulation that has been walked on and moved around for decades no longer covers the attic evenly. In each case, adding more on top does not fix the problem.

Signs it should come out

• Insulation that is wet, stained or smells musty
• Mold on the insulation or the drywall paper below
• Rodent or roof rat droppings, nests or tunnels
• Damage left after a storm or roof replacement
• Matted, thin coverage that no longer reaches the tops of the joists
• Vermiculite, which needs testing before anyone disturbs it

After a storm

Hurricane Jeanne in 2004 dropped 8.93 inches of rain on the Palm Bay co-op gauge along with a 74-knot peak wind. Many homes got new roofs after that and later storms, but the insulation under the old roof was not always replaced. If your attic insulation looks stained or lumpy, it may have been soaked at some point.

Removal process

We use a commercial vacuum with a hose running from the attic to a bag outside, so the old insulation does not travel through the house. Floors and the path to the attic are covered. Debris is cleaned up afterward.

Seal while it is bare

An empty attic floor is the best chance to seal every gap in the ceiling. We seal top plates, lights, plumbing, wiring holes and the hatch before new insulation goes in.

Vermiculite and asbestos

If we find vermiculite, we stop and recommend testing. Asbestos-containing material must be removed by a licensed abatement contractor. HomeAdvisor lists asbestos removal at $1,190 to $3,255.

Spray foam removal

Foam has to be cut or scraped off, which costs more per square foot than loose fill. We quote it after seeing it.

Re-insulating

After cleanup and sealing, we install blown-in to R-38 or R-49 or, where it suits the house, foam on the roof deck. If rodents were the cause, have a pest control company close entry points first. If existing insulation was below R-8, FPL's ceiling insulation rebate may apply when a participating contractor does the work.

Not sure whether to remove or top up? We will look and tell you. Get a free estimate