Olathe KS Insulation Removal: Your Questions Answered

FAQ: What Homeowners Should Know About Olathe KS Insulation Removal

Whether you live in a warm or cold place, proper insulation is important—and here in Olathe, where we get a mixed climate with chilly winters and hot summers, our hard-working insulation is absolutely crucial for ensuring home comfort and preventing the energy charges on monthly utility bills from getting out of control. But dirty insulation that has been contaminated with bat guano or rodent droppings, or deteriorated insulation that is flattened or has suffered water damage, is not able to do its job effectively and may even cause health risks for your household. When that happens, you need Olathe insulation removal and replacement services.

It can be stressful to suspect that insulation removal in Olathe city may be necessary for your residential or commercial property, and you may have some questions about it—like do I really need insulation removal? How will it benefit my household? And, can't I just do it myself?

We have the answers in this guide to frequently asked questions about insulation removal. Olathe KS homeowners who are dealing with problems like flattened or contaminated insulation can rely on the crew of experienced Olathe insulation professionals at Koala Insulation of North Kansas City for effective, thorough insulation removal. We are proud to deliver the most reliable insulation services in the Olathe area, and strive to always go the extra mile for each and every one of our clients.

When Should I Consider Olathe Insulation Removal Services?

One of the biggest questions our crew is asked by homeowners is about which types of situations require Olathe insulation removal. Here are four situations that indicate you should be considering professional insulation removal services.

Bat or Rodent Infestation

If you hear odd noises coming from your attic space, you might worry that you need an exorcist—but it's far more likely that you need a pest removal company, followed by attic insulation removal. Rustling, squeaking and even footsteps are all signs that you've got a bat or rodent infestation, or even that you're dealing with more bulky intruders such as a raccoon or three.

Once your unwelcome "house guests" have been evicted, it's really important to get Olathe insulation removal taken care of and have new attic insulation installed. Bat guano, rodent droppings and other types of fecal matter are health hazards to you and your family because they can cause serious respiratory illnesses such as hantavirus and histoplasmosis. The contaminated insulation is also likely to be flattened, shredded or tossed around, which drastically reduces its R-value and makes it less effective at preventing heat transfer. 

Moisture Incursion

There are a lot of ways for your insulation to become damp or downright soaked with water, from a plumbing leak or dripping roof to damage on your exterior siding and house wrap. Wet insulation is a disaster for multiple reasons. Insulating material relies on tiny air pockets inside the fibers to provide the R-value that makes it energy efficient, and when the material is wet, the fibers collapse together and the air pockets are eliminated, along with the effectiveness of the material. The other big problem is that the moisture encourages the growth of mold and mildew, which compromises your indoor air quality and can spread to other parts of the house. When the moisture source has been stopped, call us for insulation removal in Olathe city services—we'll make sure to remove every last shred of ruined material to create a clean, dry location for the replacement installation.

Allergy Concerns

It's possible for insulation to cause breathing issues that are completely unrelated to contamination. If you or a member of your household happen to be allergic to the type of insulation that is used in your home, it can make life incredibly unpleasant. Fortunately, this is a problem with an effective solution: thorough insulation removal in Olathe city to get every bit of the offending material out, followed by replacement with a new material that doesn't cause allergic reactions, should completely eliminate the issue and make your home a lot more comfortable and livable for the allergy sufferer in question.

Home Renovation

Some types of insulation are a lot simpler to deal with than others. Attic insulation, for example, is typically just lying between and across ceiling joists on top of the ceiling for the story down below. Since it's out in the open, relatively speaking, it's easier to deal with Olathe insulation removal and installation. But insulation inside wall cavities is completely enclosed by drywall and other building materials, which means it's necessary to cut walls open to get access to it. If you happen to be planning a home renovation for part of your house and will need to open up the walls anyway, you can kill two birds with one stone by having insulation removal and replacement taken care of at the same time. It makes sense to do it while drywall is being replaced rather than waiting a few years and having to cut the drywall open and patch or replace it all over again.

Can I Just Add More Insulation Instead of Bothering With Olathe Insulation Removal?

The situations outlined above call for Olathe insulation removal—but there are times when simply adding more insulation to the existing material is a viable option. Like pretty much everything else on the planet, insulation slowly deteriorates over time. The air pockets in between fibers collapse and the material eventually flattens, making it less effective at insulating your home. But if it isn't contaminated by moisture, rodent droppings or other substances, it doesn't necessarily need to be removed. Instead, it can be "topped up" with new material to ensure the entire area is covered or filled with adequate insulation, which is also called retrofitting.

But how can you tell when your insulation needs to be topped up? It's all hidden away behind the drywall or up in the attic, so it's not like you can just check on it whenever you want. There are two key factors that indicate it's time to retrofit your insulation:

1. If it's been quite awhile since your installation was originally installed, it's probably ready for a top up. Exactly how long it can last depends on the type of material—for example, you can expect fiberglass batt insulation to last around 20 years, while cellulose insulation will deteriorate in about 12 to 15 years. When it's been a decade or two, you can be reasonably certain it's time for a retrofit.
2. Have you noticed the charges on your energy bill increasing? While there are a lot of possibilities for why your house may be losing energy efficiency, deteriorated insulation is definitely high on the list of suspects. Our air sealing and insulation installation services can make a very noticeable difference in how much you have to pay for energy costs by decreasing heat transfer so your HVAC system can operate less frequently and for shorter periods of time.

What Are the Benefits of Replacing or Upgrading Insulation in My Home?

Insulation that has been contaminated or damaged can't do its job of keeping your house comfortable and energy efficient. That means when you are dealing with ineffective insulation, Olathe insulation removal followed by proper insulation installation can make a noticeable difference. Saving money on energy bills is good, but being more comfortable in your own home is absolutely priceless. Here are some of the benefits of replacing or upgrading insulation.

• Lower Energy Costs: Better insulation will prevent heat transfer more effectively, which means the temperature will stay constant inside your house for longer and your HVAC system won't need to turn on as much, saving you a significant amount of money on your monthly utility bills.
• Extend HVAC Lifespan: Because your HVAC system won't need to operate as frequently or as long, it won't suffer so much wear and tear damage over time, keeping it in good condition for much longer so you don't have to worry about a costly replacement.
• Sound Reduction: Insulation doesn't just block heat transfer; it also prevents noise transfer through your walls so you can enjoy your peace and quiet without needing to hear every sound from the next room, or even from outside. That's a major benefit if you live in a multi-family dwelling or just have noisy family members.
• Better Indoor Air Quality: Over the years, insulation material collects dust, dander and other allergens, and can also become contaminated with animal droppings and other substances. Having those allergens sitting right over your head, or lining the inside of your walls, reduces your indoor air quality, so removing it can cause a big improvement and allow you to breathe easier.
• Less Environmental Impact: The right insulation reduces your energy usage, which in turn reduces the strain on energy resources. That's why insulation is one of the energy-saving items that is covered by the Energy Star program to encourage homeowners to minimize energy use.

Can I Handle Olathe Insulation Removal By Myself?

On the surface, Olathe insulation removal sounds pretty simple—just get rid of it. But it can actually be a lot more complicated than many people suspect to get it done correctly and thoroughly, and doing it the wrong way can cause damage or even compromise your indoor air quality with dust and other pollutants. When you hire our expert insulation removal crew, you get peace of mind knowing the work is being taken care of capably and efficiently by an experienced professional. 

Why Call Koala Insulation for Olathe Insulation Removal?

It'll come as no surprise that we recommend professional Olathe insulation removal, but you may be wondering what exactly the advantages of calling the crew at Koala Insulation of North Kansas City might be. Here are some good reasons why we can save you time and stress during this process:

• Safe Removal Process: Many homeowners live in a house for decades without ever setting foot in the attic, and that makes sense. It can be dangerous to move around up there because it's usually necessary to stand only on narrow ceiling joists. It may also be necessary to open walls and work around electrical components. Our crew has the experience and training to work safely at all times and avoid injury or property damage.
• Best Practices for Decontamination: Because contaminated insulation that has been covered in animal feces or organic growth has the potential to cause health problems, it's extremely important that it be removed thoroughly, but also in a way that doesn't allow airborne particles to spread throughout the house. We use protective equipment and follow industry best practices to ensure the contaminated material is removed safely and completely.
• Right Disposal Methods: Many homeowners don't think about this part up until the moment when it needs to be done, but it's important to make sure the old material is disposed of properly after Olathe insulation removal. Fiberglass can't just be tossed in a garbage can or dumpster. We'll haul it away safely and make sure it is disposed of properly according to local regulations.

Trust the Pros at Koala Insulation of North Kansas City for Insulation Removal in Olathe City and More 

Whether you're in Olathe or part of the surrounding area such as Blue Springs, Parkville or Kansas City, the crew of insulation professionals at Koala Insulation of North Kansas City can take care of all your insulation needs. That includes insulation removal and installation services for everything from spray foam insulation and blown-in insulation to solar attic fans.

If you'd like to know more about our services in the north Olathe area, or you want to book an appointment, just give us a call at 913-348-7789 to speak with our customer service representatives. We look forward to the opportunity to tell you more about what we can do to make your home more comfortable, safe and energy efficient.