How to Walk In Attic with Blown Insulation
Introduction
We all place insulation batting in our attics to prevent the heat and maintain the house’s proper temperature. By sometimes thee insulations get blown, and in such cases, normal locomotion inside the attic gets interrupted.
For this reason, we will exhibit you a process on how to walk in attic with blown insulation. This will be much necessary for you.
Procedure
For walking inside an attic with blown insulation, you should follow some stipulated steps. These are necessary because sometimes blown insulation may hinder your locomotion in the attic, and you might get harmed. First of all, you need to be aware of the depth of the insulation so that you can gauge how deep you will have to step. If the insulation is too deep, it is advisable not to walk in the attic at all.
At first, you have to go to the attic and carefully open the door of the attic. Then, you have to take a full overview of the attic’s present condition. The insulations that are used should be appropriately observed. And then you have to find a soft spot that has a board that can be easily used for your standing. This board should be sturdy enough to hold the person’s total weight, and the insulations should also not get hampered while you are standing inside the attic.
After you stand at a sturdy point, You must much careful in this case, the joists should be appropriately handled, and the insulations should not get amalgamated. After removing the insulations, you can start walking, and in this manner, you should reach the place where you want to work. After finishing the work in your attic, you can quickly put the insulations back in place and close the attic.
5 Benefits Of Blown Insulation
- Blown insulation helps to reduce energy costs by trapping heat in the winter and keeping heat out in the summer.
- Blown insulation is easy to install and less messy than traditional methods.
- Blown insulation also provides sound-proofing benefits due to increased densities and sound-reducing materials.
- Blown insulation can fit into small crevices, providing better coverage than batt or roll-type insulations.
- The higher R-values achieved with blown insulation make it more effective at maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the home all year round.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Walk In Attic with Blown Insulation
Step 1: Look for Blown Insulation
Look around the attic, especially near the walls. If any insulation has fallen into the house, it will be located within three feet of an exterior wall or within six feet of an interior wall. It would also help to look at joist bays and areas where the floor framing meets the ceiling rafters. In the attic, insulation is often located directly under the short wall that separates two rooms. Sometimes you can see where the insulation has fallen into a room if you look up from below in the room and see dark spots on the ceiling.
Step 2: Get Equipment Ready
With a rake, you can do this job, but an insulation blower is much faster and more thorough. You’ll also need a broom and shop vacuum to clean up the insulation after blowing it back into place.
Step 3: Insert the Flexible Tube of the Blowing Machine into Blown Insulation
Some machines come with a flexible tube that you insert into the insulation. Other models shoot the insulation out of a nozzle on the machine. It is easiest to blow air at an angle rather than straight up, so insert your blowing tube or nozzle at an angle and work it back and forth until all of your blown-in insulation is visible.
Step 4: Move Slowly Across Attic
Hold the blowing machine nozzle or tube about a foot away from the blown-in insulation, turn it on, and walk slowly forward as you blow air into the insulation. You will need to move carefully along joists rather than trying to stand directly on top of them. It also helps to lean the machine slightly toward the joists to blow air up into the spaces between ceiling rafters.
Step 5: Use Hand or Power Broom to Sweep Blown Insulation
While you are walking forward, your insulation blower pushes blown-in insulation out of place. Use a hand or power broom to sweep this insulation back toward the center of the attic where it belongs. Make sure you are standing on solid flooring rather than joints, though, to not fall through the ceiling.
Step 6: Vacuum Up Blown Insulation with Shop Vacuum
Once you have swept all the blown-in insulation back toward the attic center, vacuum up all of it with a shop vacuum. You can also make several passes over areas you have already swept to pick up any tiny pieces that your sweeping may have missed. Many times, vacuuming is the only way to remove all of the insulation and get it out of your attic.
Step 7: Remove Blowing Tube or Nozzle from Blower
After you finish vacuuming up all of the insulation, use your hands to peel the nozzle or flexible tube off the blowing machine. If you are using a machine with an air filter, put it back on before turning on your blower. Now, using the same process as you did when vacuuming up insulation, insert the blowing machine’s flexible tube into the opening at the bottom of the blow-in panel. Start the machine, and hold the nozzle so that the blower tube is pointing downward.
Step 8: Sweep up Attic Floor
After returning the filter to your machine, use your hand broom or power brush to sweep all of the insulation that fell on the attic floor back into place. You may need to make several passes over areas that received a lot of blown insulation to get any dust or powdery residue off of the floor. Once the floor is clean, you can reassemble any attic vents or boxes that may have been knocked over when the insulation fell.
Step 9: Clean Up Your Job Site
Use a wet mop to wipe down all of your equipment and clothing if they get dusty during the job. If your clothes are dirty, turn them inside out so that the clean outside of your clothes do not get dusty or dirty.
Step 10: Dispose of Blown Insulation Safely
You can dispose of blown-in insulation by putting it in a trash bag and throwing it away. However, if you have small insulation particles on your attic floor, sweep them into the center of the attic before putting them on your trash bag. You can also sweep them into a pile and vacuum them up with your shop vacuum if they are small enough to fit in the nozzle.
Some Helpful Tips and Suggestions:
1. If you have a full attic, it may be wiser to remove the blown insulation. You could start by pulling down a few pieces of the material and seeing how difficult it is to get up there. This should not be too big of an issue if you can easily remove a section at a time. However, if you have a full attic, it might be wiser to let someone with experience remove the insulation.
2. Wear an N100 respirator mask when dealing with flammable insulation. This will help prevent a potentially dangerous situation if dust containing asbestos particles fill the air and cause an issue. In addition, many of these masks can filter out asbestos.
3. If you are looking to remove it for disposal, be sure that you are aware of any local ordinances which may prohibit your removal of insulation containing vermiculite or other minerals (I’ve never heard of such an ordinance before, but it might be a possibility).
4. It is important to note that if the insulation contains asbestos, you should not attempt to remove it yourself as this can release harmful fibers into the air.
5. Do not use any pre-existing holes to reach areas of blown insulation if there is a chance the material was treated with vermiculite.
6. Be sure to seal all holes after the insulation has been removed.
7. Most of this material is very light, so grabbing onto it will cause it to fall into your face or up into your clothes more often than not. It is best to use a hoe to pull away larger chunks at times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Walk on Attic Insulation?
It depends on the type of insulation and the condition of the attic. In general, however, it is not recommended to walk on insulation as it can cause damage.
Is It Ok to Put Flooring Over Blown in Insulation?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question, as it depends on the specific situation. If you are comfortable with the insulation and the flooring condition, you can proceed with the installation. However, if you are not comfortable with the insulation or the flooring condition, you should contact a professional to inspect the situation and make a recommendation.
Can I Put Plywood Over Blown in Insulation?
Yes, you can put plywood overblown in insulation. However, it is important to make sure that the plywood is properly sealed and taped so that moisture and air cannot get inside the insulation.
Should I Remove the Old Attic Insulation?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the decision of whether or not to remove old attic insulation will depend on a variety of factors specific to your home. However, some general considerations that may influence your decision include:
- The age and condition of the insulation.
- The climate conditions in your area.
- Whether you have any existing problems with condensation or moisture accumulation in the attic.
- The cost and time involved in removing the insulation.
Can you use Kraft faced insulation in attic?
Yes, you can use Kraft-faced insulation in the attic. However, it is important to note that not all types of insulation are compatible with each other. You should consult an expert to see if the type of insulation you are using is compatible with your home.
Conclusion
When you are walking in an attic with blown insulation, it is important to avoid contact with the insulation. Wearing a dust mask and gloves can help protect you from breathing in the insulation and coming into contact.
If you come into contact with insulation, be sure to wash your hands and clothes as soon as possible. We hope this blog post on how to walk in attic with blown insulation has been helpful. If you have any questions or want to know more, then feel free to comment below!
