Do I need to remove my old insulation, or can I add on top of it?

If the existing insulation is dry, clean, and undisturbed, adding new material on top is often reasonable. Removal is the right call when the insulation is wet, rodent-damaged, contaminated, badly settled, or in the way of air sealing the attic floor. We inspect the space and tell you which situation applies.

What does insulation removal involve in my house?

We plan access and containment, protect the path from the attic hatch or crawl space entry, vacuum the material into sealed bags, clean the deck, and then inspect for rodent entry points, disconnected fans, blocked vents, and moisture damage before new insulation goes in.

Can you replace crawl space insulation and the vapor barrier together?

Yes. Crawl space work usually combines removing failed under-floor insulation, addressing moisture and rodent access, installing a new ground vapor barrier, and then installing new insulation. It is all handled by the same crew on one schedule.

Insulation Removal & Replacement in Wenatchee, WA

When insulation has settled, soaked up moisture, or been lived in by rodents, adding more material on top of it does not solve the problem. L&S Contracting Services removes old insulation from attics, crawl spaces, garages, shops, and remodels across Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Malaga, Cashmere, Leavenworth, and the surrounding Chelan and Douglas County area, cleans and prepares the space, and installs new insulation suited to the assembly.

Request a Free Estimate Call 509-433-4065

When removal is necessary, and when adding on top works

Not every attic needs to be emptied. If the existing insulation is dry, clean, evenly distributed, and simply shallow, adding blown-in material on top is often a reasonable path. Removal is the right call when the insulation is wet or has been wet, when there is rodent activity, droppings, or nesting, when smoke or soot has contaminated the material, when the insulation has compacted and settled to a fraction of its original depth, or when the crew needs clear access to air seal top plates, chases, and can lights before new material goes down. We inspect first and tell you which situation you are in rather than defaulting to the bigger job. In a remodel, removal is often driven by the work itself: new wiring, new ducts, new framing, or a roof repair that leaves the old material torn up and unusable.

How we remove and prepare the space

Removal is dusty, confined work, and the preparation matters more than the vacuum. We plan access and containment before anything comes out, protect the finished areas and the path from the attic hatch or crawl space entry to the door, and use a commercial insulation vacuum so the material goes straight into sealed bags rather than through the living space. After the bulk material is out we clean the deck, clear debris from between the joists, and look at what the old insulation was hiding: rodent entry points, disconnected bath fans venting into the attic, blocked soffit vents, knob and tube wiring, damaged vapor barriers, and moisture staining on the sheathing. Those findings get reported to you before new insulation covers them again, because the empty attic is the only time they are easy to address.

Installing the replacement insulation

Once the space is clean we air seal the openings that were leaking, confirm ventilation baffles are clear, and then install new insulation suited to the area. Attic floors usually get blown-in material built to an even depth. Stud bays, floor systems, and garage ceilings are more often batts. Crawl space perimeters, rim joists, and irregular framing are common places for spray foam, and crawl space jobs frequently include a new ground vapor barrier at the same time. Because insulation, air sealing, vapor barriers, and blower door testing all come from our crew, the removal, the repairs, and the replacement happen on one schedule with one point of contact.

Where we work: Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Malaga, Cashmere, Leavenworth.

Our work

Recent projects

Old settled insulation being removed from an attic in Wenatchee, WA — Old insulation reviewed and removed from a local attic.

Attic cleaned and prepared for replacement insulation in Wenatchee, WA — Attic cleaned and prepped before new insulation goes in.

New blown-in insulation installed after removal in Wenatchee, WA — Replacement blown-in insulation installed on a clean attic deck.

FAQ

Common questions

Do I need to remove my old insulation, or can I add on top of it?: If the existing insulation is dry, clean, and undisturbed, adding new material on top is often reasonable. Removal is the right call when the insulation is wet, rodent-damaged, contaminated, badly settled, or in the way of air sealing the attic floor. We inspect the space and tell you which situation applies.
What does insulation removal involve in my house?: We plan access and containment, protect the path from the attic hatch or crawl space entry, vacuum the material into sealed bags, clean the deck, and then inspect for rodent entry points, disconnected fans, blocked vents, and moisture damage before new insulation goes in.
Can you replace crawl space insulation and the vapor barrier together?: Yes. Crawl space work usually combines removing failed under-floor insulation, addressing moisture and rodent access, installing a new ground vapor barrier, and then installing new insulation. It is all handled by the same crew on one schedule.

Need garage door or insulation work done right?

Call 509-433-4065 or request an estimate online. Serving Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Malaga, and the surrounding North Central Washington area.

Call 509-433-4065 Request a Free Estimate