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Does insulation installation create a mess in Corning NY

Does Insulation Installation Create a Mess?

You’re sold on the idea of upgrading your insulation. Your home needs the update, and you’ve verified the project is in your budget. But you’re still worried about the process. Installing insulation is messy, right? Especially spray foam. And isn’t it even worse in winter?

Maybe your imagination has been running wild. Although the chemicals, products, and processes used when installing insulation appear look like they would make a huge mess of your house, a professional installer knows what it takes to keep from wrecking your home. Read on to discover more about insulation installation and how your home can be protected during the process.

Don’t DIY

Installation, upgrading, or removal of Insulation can definitely create a mess. The problem can be greatly magnified if you try to do it yourself. Removal of old insulation can be the messiest part of the entire process. The last thing you want is fiberglass fibers and dust spread all over your home, in the HVAC vents, and floating around in the air you breathe.

The likelihood of creating a mess goes to the next level if you try installing spray foam on your own. Aside from the issue of requiring professional equipment to handle a job of any significant size, spray foam is difficult to control without proper training. It can go places you don’t want it to, and it can drip on your clothes. Even one small drop on your clothing can be next to impossible to remove.

Your lungs will be exposed to dangerous chemicals and gases unless you have proper protective equipment—and a medical mask or regular dust mask doesn’t come anywhere close to providing what you need to filter out contaminants.

All these dangers and problems can be mitigated or eliminated entirely when you hire a pro.

Don’t Hire the Wrong Contractor

Unfortunately, there are some bad players out there. They’re in every industry—including insulation. Some of them are purposefully out to do a quick and shoddy job just to get your money. Others are making an honest effort but haven’t been trained in the proper techniques of installation to minimize the mess. And many contractors simply don’t have the attention to detail required to restore your home to the level of cleanliness it was in before insulation was installed.

Do more than just get a quote from a contractor. Get references. Look for reviews. Find a company that has a good reputation. Insulation installations are not something any Joe Handy Man can properly handle. This is one job you definitely want to trust to a pro.

Spray Foam in Winter

Let’s look at what some people believe to be the perfect storm of insulation installation: spray foam in winter.

There’s a misconception that spray foam can’t be installed during winter and, if it’s attempted, a huge mess is created. This simply isn’t true—as long as the installation is handled by a trained and experienced professional.

Here are some steps a professional will take to protect your home during a winter spray foam installation:

• Warm the chemicals before they are installed.
• Get the truck as close to the house as possible to make sure the chemicals don’t lose heat while moving to their final destination.
• Put moving blankets down in the house every place the spray hose might touch the floors or walls
• Put up plastic sheeting wherever necessary to protect items from getting spray foam on them

In short, they take care of your home in such a way that spray foam installation any time of year isn’t a problem. And winter usually doesn’t present any additional difficulties.

Blown-In Insulation

Another type of insulation that can lead to a mess any time of year is blown-in insulation – especially when it is being added to the walls of an already-built structure. In order to install this type of insulation there are times that holes must be drilled in the walls or ceiling. After the insulation is blown in, any holes must be patched. And the patching will require painting to match the existing color. Unless you have a good bit of experience with wall patching, the patch is almost always visible after painting. This is another case where a professional needs to handle the job.

Cutting into the sheetrock produces dust that must be captured or thoroughly cleaned up afterward. This is where references come in handy. Additionally, have a discussion with the installation technician to make your expectations quite clear that you want the walls to look exactly like they did before work began. Take before and after pictures to make sure there’s no question about the condition before and after. This is one case where you can’t be too picky or demanding.

With all this said, the right insulation company can take care of your needs and make sure there’s no mess left behind. Don’t be afraid to have blown-in insulation installed in your home – just make sure you do your homework before the work starts.

Rolls and Batts

At this point the thought may have crept into your head that rolls or batts might be a much cleaner way to install insulation. There is some truth to that. But roll or batt insulation may not be the best type to use for your particular circumstance. And, even if it is, there are considerations regarding a clean installation.

When working with fiberglass – the most common type of roll and batt insulation – small amounts of fibers are released just by moving the roll from place to place. Cutting the roll to fit releases even more fibers. So, this relatively clean type of insulation also has its challenges when it comes to keeping the installation site clean. Make sure your insulation company promises to – and follows up with – cleaning up after themselves when installing traditional fiberglass rolls or batts.

How Do I Maintain the Integrity of My Home When Insulation is Installed?

As previously mentioned, the number one key is hiring the right insulation company. Do your homework: check references, have a clear contract, take before and after pictures, and make your expectations clear – preferably in writing – before anyone starts work.

An inspection by a qualified insulation expert and a consultation with that expert can alleviate some of your fears and make you more confident about your decision to move forward with becoming more energy efficient. At Koala Insulation, our technicians are experts in all kinds of insulation materials and installation techniques, and we offer a “white glove” treatment to keep your home clean. Our experts bring state-of-the-art equipment with them to thoroughly inspect your home or building top to bottom, inside and out. They will give you a detailed assessment of your home. They will design a custom solution to meet your needs, and will help answer your questions about the status of your insulation. And since every building is unique, your expert may suggest a combination of installation options to protect your home from noise, cold, heat, moisture, and pests.

Don’t forget that the investment you make today will reap years of energy-saving benefits. Contact us now to schedule a consultation to start your journey toward higher energy efficiency and better protection for your home.