Insulation Removal & Replacement in Tallahassee, FL

Insulation removal and replacement is the right call when the old material is wet, contaminated or so flattened that it no longer works. In Tallahassee, we see it after roof leaks from storms, in attics where rodents, squirrels or raccoons have nested, in crawl spaces where batts have soaked up summer moisture and fallen, and in rentals where years of tenants and storage have crushed the fill. Signs you need it: odors from the attic or crawl space, droppings, stains on the ceiling, insulation that is matted or dark, or batts lying in the dirt.

Storm damage and roof leaks

Tallahassee's storm history is not just hurricanes. Wikipedia notes Hurricane Hermine in 2016, Hurricane Michael in 2018 and two EF2 tornadoes on May 10, 2024, one of them crossing downtown. Trees on roofs and wind-driven rain leave wet insulation behind. Wet cellulose and fiberglass hold moisture against the drywall and framing and lose much of their R-value. Once the roof is fixed, the wet material should come out so the attic can dry and be checked.

Pests

Rodent and wildlife nests leave droppings and urine in the insulation, and the tunnels they make leave gaps. Removing that material, sanitizing and sealing entry points comes before new insulation goes in. If animals are still active, have a wildlife or pest company handle them first; we coordinate around their schedule.

How removal works

For loose fill, we use a high-powered vacuum that pulls the material through a hose into bags or a truck outside, so it does not get carried through the house. Batts are bagged by hand. Once the attic is clear, we can see and seal every gap in the ceiling, which is much harder to do through old insulation. Then new insulation goes in, usually blown-in fiberglass or cellulose to R-38 or more, or foam where that fits the plan.

Spray foam removal

Sometimes foam itself has to come out, because it was applied over a roof leak, sprayed too thick in one pass, or blocks access for a repair. Foam removal is slower and costs more per square foot than loose fill because it has to be cut and scraped from the surface.

Asbestos and vermiculite

Some older homes have vermiculite, a pebbly gray-brown loose fill that may contain asbestos. We do not disturb it. If we see it, we stop and recommend testing and a licensed abatement contractor before any other work. Get a free estimate