Attics, crawl spaces & commercial
Insulation Removal in Bakersfield, CA
Old, wet, rodent-soiled or smoke-damaged insulation vacuumed out and hauled away, ready for new insulation.
- 39 yrs
- In business
- 40+
- Cities served
- 5.0
- Client rating
- Licensed
- & insured
When the old insulation has to go.
Insulation that has been soaked, soiled by rodents, damaged by smoke or fire, or grown mold does not get better with more insulation on top. It smells, it holds moisture, and it keeps contaminating the air that moves through the attic. A.S.I. removes it with industrial vacuum equipment, bags it at the source, hauls it off and leaves the space clean and ready for new insulation.
Vermiculite: test it before anyone touches it
Loose, pebbly, gray-brown or gold insulation in an older attic is often vermiculite. A large share of the vermiculite sold in the U.S. came from a mine in Libby, Montana that was contaminated with asbestos, and the EPA advises leaving it undisturbed until it has been tested. Most insulation contractors cannot handle it if it comes back positive. We can. A.S.I. arranges testing of suspect insulation first, and if it contains asbestos it is removed under asbestos abatement procedures by certified crews, under our C-22 license and Cal/OSHA registration, with the containment and disposal paperwork the law requires. If it is clean, it comes out like any other insulation.
How a removal job runs.
Contained, vacuumed, bagged and gone.
Inspect & test
We identify what is there and arrange testing of anything suspect, including vermiculite.
Protect
The space below is protected and the work area set up for a clean removal.
Vacuum out
Material goes straight into sealed bags outside and is hauled away.
Clean & re-insulate
The space is cleaned, sanitized where needed, and ready for new insulation.
How insulation removal works
We protect the living or working space below, then remove the old material with a high-powered vacuum that carries it straight into sealed bags outside, so nothing is dragged through the building. Rodent-soiled attics are cleaned and sanitized after removal, and entry points are noted so they can be closed. Once the attic or crawl space is clear, we can air seal and re-insulate on the same project, with blown-in, batts or spray foam. Commercial buildings, schools and multi-unit properties get the same process at a larger scale, scheduled around occupancy, including old metal-building blanket and failed duct and pipe wrap.
What insulation removal costs
Removal is priced by the area, the depth and type of the old insulation, how hard the space is to work in, and what is in it. Clean, dry fiberglass is the simplest case; rodent contamination adds cleaning and sanitizing, and vermiculite that tests positive is priced as asbestos abatement. We inspect first and give you a free written estimate for removal and, if you want it, re-insulation, so you see the whole job before you decide.
Insulation removal questions.
What people ask before they open the attic hatch.
How do I know if my insulation needs to come out?
Water stains, a musty or ammonia smell, rodent droppings or nesting, smoke damage, or insulation that is matted and thin are the usual signs. We will look and tell you whether it needs removal or just a top-up.
How much does insulation removal cost?
It depends on the area, the depth and type of insulation, access and contamination. We inspect and give you a free written estimate for removal and re-insulation.
Do I need to replace insulation after rats or mice?
Usually, yes. Droppings and urine soak into insulation and keep smelling and contaminating the air. We remove it, sanitize the attic and re-insulate.
Can I remove attic insulation myself?
Clean fiberglass, possibly, though it is hot, itchy and messy work. Rodent-soiled insulation is a health risk, and vermiculite should never be disturbed until it has been tested.
What if it is vermiculite?
We arrange a test first. If it contains asbestos, our certified abatement crews remove it under the required procedures; if not, it is removed like any other insulation.
Is insulation removal messy?
Not when it is done with the right equipment. The material is vacuumed straight to sealed bags outside, and the space below is protected.
How long does it take?
A typical attic is a one to two day job. Larger or commercial spaces are scheduled in phases.
Can you re-insulate right after?
Yes. Removal and re-insulation are usually one project, so the space is never left bare.
Related services.
The work that usually comes up on the same kind of job.
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