Over time, the insulation in your home may need to be removed because of mold outbreaks, pest infestations, water damage, or simply reduced effectiveness due to age. Whatever your reason for removing your insulation, it’s important to familiarize yourself with proper safety protocols before starting the process. As insulation materials degrade or become infested with mold and pests, removing them can prove dangerous. In addition, improper removal could cause damage to structural components of your home which poses additional risk. To reduce your risk of injury, make sure to implement these safety tips for removing insulation.
Wear Protective Clothing
Regardless of the type of insulation you are removing, it’s always a good idea to wear protective clothing before starting the process. Ideally, you should outfit yourself with full-coverage garments such as a long-sleeve shirt, pants, gloves, socks, and close-toed shoes. Doing so will help prevent the insulation material coming into contact with your skin, which may cause irritation.
Acquire Safety Equipment
In addition to wearing protective clothing, another important safety tip for removing insulation is to acquire essential protective equipment. For example, goggles or safety glasses are extremely beneficial for shielding one’s eyes from small particles or fragments of insulation that may irritate them or cause damage. A nose mask or respirator may also be necessary—dust, mold spores, dander from pests, and particles from insulation materials can be dangerous when inhaled.
Watch Your Step
When removing insulation from an attic, it’s extremely important to tread carefully. Often, layers of insulation will conceal weak spots in the attic floor. If you step on them, the ceiling beneath may collapse under you which could result in serious injury and substantial home damage. As such, avoid stepping on any insulation material and instead walk on the sturdier joists and beams in your attic. You could also use a walk board.
Know When To Hire A Professional
In some cases, removing insulation on your own simply isn’t safe. For example, some insulation materials, such as vermiculite and mineral wool, may contain asbestos. Asbestos is a carcinogen known to cause mesothelioma, among other health issues. If you need to remove such highly toxic materials or need to remove insulation that has been infested with pests, it’s much safer to enlist the services of a professional insulation removal company that has the skills, experience, and equipment to do so safely.
