Insulation removal techniques?
My house has 2×6 ceiling joists and blown-in insulation in the attic. It was built in the mid-60s, so I suspect this is rock wool. The problem is that the sheet rock was glued to the joists. The glue has failed in many spans, and the rock is sagging. Vibration over time has caused the insulation to creep between the joists and the rock, so I can’t just screw the rock back up to the joists.
I want to remove the insulation, jack the rock back up, load it with screws, and put in fiberglass batts. I’ve done two rooms so far, using a hoe, short broom, and dustpan to sweep the insulation up and hauling it out in trash bags. It’s slow, it’s unpleasant, and the stuff seems to go right through a dust mask. It’s a low slope roof; only about 6.5′ high in the center.
I’ve thought about trying to rig up a connection to my cyclone dust collector, but I would have to head down into the basement every few minutes to empty the can if I did that.
Any ideas on a better way to get the insulation out?
George Patterson, Patterson Handyman Service
Replies
So the rockwallthat has worked it's way between the drywall and the studs won't compact well enough when you drive the screws in as is and leaves bumps in the drywall, aye?
Seems this week is 'fix insulation in ye old house' week and unfortunately there are few quick and easy fixes in this among the most ugly of old house renos.
Maybe now we are learning why some say build new. Bunch of lazy boogers anyhow.
Personally the walls/ceiling would really need to appear bumpy for me to get involved in removal and replacement if that is the only reason for such.
Regardless, this response will bump your post to the front and hopefully someone will show up with some info you can use.
Cheers
Parolee # 53804
It isn't much harder to solve this problem than what you are doing!
Most companies that blow to install insulation also have a vacumn that can remove it for you. I had a whole house done for $800.
I also doubt that you will be too succesful with the cieling repair that way. The SR has learned those sags by now and will always be so.
I would run strapping right over the existing SR, using screws to suck it up to the joists and run new SR on the strapping t5o finish nicely.
Up above, I would have left the rock wool there unless it tested positive for asbestos, in which case having the guys with the vacumn would have been better.
Then I would never use FG batts unless it weere my only choice. It is a terrible inefficient insulatopr. I can have cellulose or chopped FG blanket blown in for about the same money as insulating it myself with store bought batts
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> Most companies that blow to install insulation also have a vacumn that
> can remove it for you. I had a whole house done for $800.Cool! I need to look into that. I can knock out a vent at the end of the attic for them to get a hose in.> I also doubt that you will be too succesful with the cieling repair
> that way. The SR has learned those sags by now and will always be
> so.Well, the kitchen and front hall worked out ok. I had to run a screw in about every 6", but it was worth it. I hope to avoid lowering the ceiling.> Then I would never use FG batts unless it weere my only choice. It
> is a terrible inefficient insulatopr.I'll give that some thought.Thanks much,
George Patterson, Patterson Handyman Service
Edited 4/7/2007 11:16 pm ET by grpphoto