Insulation Removal & Replacement in Lansing, MI

Insulation removal and replacement is needed when what is in the attic, crawl space or walls is doing more harm than good. Most of the time new insulation can go right over old. But insulation that is wet, moldy, matted, full of mouse or squirrel droppings, or smoke-damaged needs to come out first, and removal is the only chance to air seal what is underneath.

Reasons to remove

Rodent nests and droppings in the attic, insulation soaked by a roof leak or ice dam, mold growth from a bath fan venting into the attic, sagging fiberglass in a vented crawl space, smoke or fire damage, and old spray foam or batts that block a remodel. Buyers often find these during a home inspection.

Vermiculite: test first

Some older Michigan homes have vermiculite attic insulation, a pebbly gray-brown or gold loose fill. Some vermiculite contains asbestos. We do not disturb it. If we see it, we recommend testing, and if it tests positive it must be handled by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor before any insulation work proceeds.

How removal works

We use a high-powered vacuum with a hose run from the attic or crawl to a collection bag or truck outside, so material does not travel through the house. Once the space is clear, we clean up debris, seal the attic floor or crawl space, and reinsulate to the agreed R-value. Removal and replacement are priced as separate lines so you can see each.

Replacing what comes out

In attics, replacement is usually air sealing plus blown-in insulation to R-49 or R-60. In crawl spaces, it is often closed-cell foam on the walls and a vapor barrier instead of fiberglass in the floor.

Rodents and entry points

When mice or squirrels have been in the attic, removal is only half the job. We note the gaps they used, often at soffits, gable vents and where the roof meets the wall, so they can be closed before new insulation goes in. Otherwise the new insulation ends up the same way as the old.