Insulation removal in Alhambra CA - a clean attic ready for new insulation
Attic insulation that's flattened, soaked or full of droppings comes out first, so whatever goes in next starts in a clean attic.
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When does old attic insulation need to come out?
Insulation removal clears the old insulation out of your attic so the space can be checked, cleaned and repaired before anything new goes in. A&S Alhambra Spray Foam Insulation does this work for houses in Alhambra and the cities around it.
Most people call us because the upstairs stays hot or the power bill keeps climbing, or because someone looked in the attic and found insulation that's packed flat, stained from an old roof leak or full of droppings. New insulation laid over that only hides the problem, so it has to come out first. The price depends on the size of the attic, how much material is up there, how wet or dirty it is, how easy it is to reach, and whether anything needs testing before it's touched. The schedule depends mostly on the attic's size and on that testing, and I'll give you the figure for your own attic once I've seen it.
How we handle insulation removal
I look at what's up there before we pull anything out, because the material decides the rest of the job. If it could be vermiculite, we stop and help you arrange testing and a separate firm that's set up for that kind of removal, since that isn't a job to start and sort out later. If it's ordinary batts or blown-in fill, the loose material that goes in through a hose, our crew covers the path from the hatch to the door, pulls the batts by hand, vacuums the loose fill out and cleans the bare attic down. If a roof leak caused the mess, I'll ask you to have it fixed before anything new goes in, because fresh insulation under a leak just gets soaked again.
Once the attic is bare, it's the easiest time to seal the gaps around lights, pipes and the hatch, and to lay new insulation evenly out to the edges without burying the vents at the eaves. Cold floors can mean the trouble is below the house as well, and we take care of that with crawl space insulation. Rooms that stay hot after the attic is done may need wall insulation.
What to know about insulation removal in Alhambra
Alhambra's Building Division issues permits for most construction work on private property. Its list names jobs like roofing, wiring and duct work but doesn't mention insulation removal, so the list alone doesn't settle whether your job needs a permit. The city's building office makes that call, so we check with it before work begins, and when a permit is needed we pull it and keep you informed through the inspections.
Many of the houses we're called to around Alhambra are older, and their insulation has usually sat through years of roof repairs, rodents and hot summers, so an older attic is where I'm most careful to know what the material is before anyone disturbs it. We find the same kinds of attics on jobs in San Gabriel and South Pasadena, and we handle them the same way.
Attic cleanouts, start to finish
Have your attic looked at before anything comes out
We reply to every call and request within one business day to set a time, and I usually come out myself to look at the attic and give you a free estimate on site. There's no obligation to go ahead.
(626) 525-0036Questions about insulation removal in Alhambra
How much does insulation removal cost near Alhambra?
Removing dry, non-asbestos insulation that's in good condition usually costs about $2 to $3.50 per square foot in the Los Angeles area. That's the going rate for the simplest version of the job, not our quote, and we'll give you a figure for your own attic once I've seen it.
How do I know if my attic insulation has asbestos?
EPA guidance says you generally can't tell by looking unless the material is labeled, and that if you're in doubt you should treat it as asbestos and leave it alone. The one to watch for is vermiculite, which EPA describes as a pebbly, pour-in fill, usually gray-brown or silver-gold. If you see anything like that, please don't disturb it before we talk.
Can I remove vermiculite insulation from my attic myself?
No. EPA advises hiring a professional asbestos contractor rather than removing vermiculite yourself, and it says the removal should be done by a trained, accredited abatement contractor that's separate from the company that assessed the insulation, which keeps any conflict of interest out of the job. If you're planning a remodel that would disturb vermiculite in the attic or walls, EPA advises bringing that contractor in before the work starts.
Who is licensed to remove asbestos insulation in California?
Under the state's contractor license law, asbestos work on 100 square feet or more of asbestos-containing material calls for a contractor with the C-22 asbestos abatement classification, or one whose license qualifier has passed the state's asbestos certification exam. The state also registers contractors who do that much asbestos work, so it's fair to ask any abatement bidder about both. That isn't work we take on, which is why we point you to a separate firm set up for it.
How long does attic insulation removal take?
Removal usually takes anywhere from 4 hours to 2 days or more, depending on how big the attic is and how complicated the job is. Tight crawl spaces, deep or wet material and anything that needs testing first all stretch it out, and we'll tell you what to expect for yours after the visit.
Do I have to leave the house while insulation is being removed?
On an ordinary cleanout most families stay home, because the work stays in the attic and along the path we cover through the house. An asbestos job is different. EPA guidance says household members and pets stay out of the marked area until the work is done, and the contractor seals that area off from the rest of the house with plastic sheeting and tape and shuts off the heating and air conditioning, so you can ask each bidder to walk you through those steps before you sign.
Have your Alhambra attic looked at first
Call (626) 525-0036 or use the form, and tell us roughly how big the attic is and what the insulation looks like so we can plan the visit before we come out.