BIRMINGHAM Blog

Should You Remove Existing Insulation Before Adding More?

Home insulation can significantly impact your home’s energy efficiency and comfort. But before you start adding more insulation to your walls, it’s best to know whether or not existing insulation should be removed first.

Removing existing insulation can be tricky, and there are several things to consider before you do. If you’re considering adding more insulation to your home, it’s important to know whether or not removing existing insulation is necessary.

When to Remove Old Insulation? 

There are several reasons you may want to remove existing insulation. Here are a few scenarios when removing old insulation is highly recommended:

1. You Plan to Use Face Insulation

Faced insulation is a newer type of insulation that works best in attics and crawl spaces. Faced insulation comprises two layers: an interior layer designed to be placed against the studs, joists, or rafters and an exterior layer usually made of foil-backed paper or plastic.

This will ensure that you don’t have any gaps in your insulation and that the new-faced insulation works as intended. If you don’t remove old insulation, the faced material may not be able to seal out moisture and air leaks properly.

2. You are Upgrading to Spray Foam Insulation

Removing the old insulation is a crucial step in installing spray foam insulation. Spray foam insulation differs from traditional insulation, requiring you to remove the old stuff before installing it.

Spray foam is applied directly to the studs or joists in your home as an airtight barrier, which means that all gaps in your existing insulation must be filled with something else first. If you don’t remove old insulation, those gaps won’t be plugged up, making it easier for moisture and air leaks to slip through unnoticed.

3. If You had Rodents and Pest Infestation

Removing old insulation if you have rodents or pest infestation is best. Rodents and pests can spread disease, and their feces and urine can contaminate your home’s insulation. If you have doubts about the quality of your current insulation, it is best to remove it before installing new insulation.

4. Water Damage Has Likely Occurred to Your Property

If you have had water damage or flooding, it’s best to remove your insulation first. Water damage can lead to mold growth, which can be hazardous to your health and cause long-term damage to your home. Additionally, moisture and air leaks will go undetected if you don’t remove the old insulation before installing new insulation.

When to Keep Old Insulation?

It is only sometimes necessary to remove old insulation. There are times when it is best to keep the old insulation in place. Here are some situations when it’s best to keep the old insulation:

1. You Are About to Add Batt or Rolled Insulation

As long as it is not pest infested and has not been exposed to moisture, you can keep your old batt insulation in place and layer it with new. Its thermal properties can continue to work effectively even if a new batt or rolled insulation is added.

2. You Are About to Add Loose-Fill Insulation

If you are adding loose-fill insulation, keep your old insulation in place. It can be used as a base layer to add new loose fill.

Conclusion

It is important to consider the right situations where you need to remove existing insulation. You should also consider whether or not the existing insulation is in good condition and how much of it needs to be removed.

If you’re unsure whether removing existing insulation is necessary, contact Koala Insulation Birmingham for advice. We are the best insulation contractors in Birmingham, AL, and can help you decide what to do with your existing insulation.