Old Insulation Removal & Replacement in Scranton, PA

Old insulation removal and replacement is common in Scranton's older houses. Attics that have been insulated in pieces over 80 or 100 years can hold a mix of old batts, loose fill, rodent nests and debris. If it is wet, contaminated or blocking needed sealing, it should come out.

Vermiculite first

Vermiculite, a pebbly gray-brown or gold loose fill, was used in many older attics. Some of it contains asbestos. If we see it, we stop and recommend testing. Asbestos removal is work for a licensed abatement contractor; HomeAdvisor lists it at $1,190 to $3,255. Once it is cleared, we can seal and insulate.

Rodents and debris

Mice, squirrels and bats can nest in attic insulation. We remove soiled material with a commercial vacuum, bag it and haul it away, and seal entry points we can reach.

Wet insulation

Roof leaks and ice dams can soak attic insulation. Once the roof is fixed, wet insulation should come out.

Flooded basements

The 1972 Agnes flood devastated Kingston and much of Wilkes-Barre, and river-flat basements have taken water at other times too. Insulation that gets wet in a basement should come out and the space should dry before anything new goes in.

Spray foam removal

HomeGuide lists spray foam removal at $1.00 to $2.50 per square foot; Fixr notes hand-chipping can run up to about $5.

Replace and improve

With the attic clear, we seal every gap and insulate to the target depth. HomeAdvisor lists removal plus replacement at about $1,852 on average.

How removal works

We set up a commercial vacuum outside, run a hose to the attic, and vacuum the old loose fill into bags or a collection unit. Batts are bagged by hand. We protect the path through the house. Most attics are cleared in a day.

After removal

An empty attic is the best time to air seal. We can reach every wall top, chimney gap and fixture. Then we install baffles and blow new insulation to depth.

Coal-region attics

In some older valley homes, attics hold decades of dust and debris. If insulation is heavily soiled, removal before air sealing makes the job cleaner and more effective.

When removal is not needed

If your insulation is dry, clean and safe, there is no need to remove it. We add on top after sealing. Get a free estimate