Insulation Removal & Replacement in Lubbock, TX

Insulation removal and replacement is the right call when what is in the attic is doing more harm than good. Most of the time, new insulation can go on top of old. But insulation that is soiled by rodents, wet from a roof leak, full of construction debris or packed into a thin crust is better removed. Taking it out also gives us a clear attic floor to seal, which is often where the real savings come from.

Signs it is time

We recommend removal when we find droppings or nesting, odors, mold or water staining, insulation that has been crushed by storage or foot traffic, or material that has been disturbed so often that the depth is uneven everywhere. In dusty, windy country, attic insulation can also act as a filter for years of dust blowing in through gaps, and that dust ends up back in the house when the air handler pulls on leaky returns. Buyers often call after an inspection report flags the attic.

How removal works

We use a high-powered vacuum with a hose run from a truck or collection unit into the attic, so the material goes straight into bags or a container instead of through the house. We cover the path from the door to the hatch, and we wear protective gear. After the attic floor is clear, we clean up loose debris, seal the openings in the ceiling plane and then install new insulation to the target depth.

What goes back in

Most replacements in Lubbock are sealed attic floors with blown-in cellulose or fiberglass to the depth ENERGY STAR recommends for Zone 3, R-49 for an attic that starts bare. If the house is a better fit for a sealed roofline, with ducts and the air handler in the attic, we may recommend open-cell foam under the roof deck instead. Either way, the quote lists removal, sealing and new insulation as separate lines.

Materials we test or avoid

Some older homes have vermiculite, a pebble-like loose fill that can contain asbestos. We do not disturb it. If we see it, we stop and recommend testing by a qualified lab, and removal by a licensed abatement company if needed. HomeAdvisor lists asbestos removal at $1,190 to $3,255. We also note old wiring and any sign of active leaks, since those need attention before new insulation goes in.

Foam removal

Spray foam can be removed too, though it is slower than loose fill because it is bonded to the framing and has to be cut or scraped away. That is sometimes needed after a roof leak or a renovation. HomeGuide and Fixr both price foam removal higher per square foot than loose fill.

Tell us what you have seen in the attic or what the inspection report says. We will look and send a written price. Get a free estimate