Do You Have To Remove Insulation Before Adding New?

Every year you add new to-do items on your home maintenance checklist. Paint the outside of your home. Check. Install new air filters in your furnace. Check. 

Some to-do items are easy to see. If the paint is peeling from your home, you know you can’t ignore it too long without dire consequences. 

But other to-do items are a little more difficult to determine. 

When was the last time you poked your head up into your attic? When was the last time you checked your home’s insulation to determine if it was okay? 

The insulation in your attic helps keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It adds to the energy efficiency of your home. But if it’s damaged, it may be time to add that to your to-do list. 

What kind of job is adding new insulation? Can you leave it in place, or do you have to remove it before adding new insulation?

A lot of it depends on the shape your current insulation is in. Is it wet? If your existing insulation has ever come in contact with moisture, it can be problematic. Moisture leads to mildew, biological growth, even rotting underneath on the floorboards or the roof rafters. It’s important to assess the area completely before choosing the next step. 

If the current insulation is clean and dry, it is possible to blow in either fiberglass or cellulose insulation right over the top of existing insulation. 

All insulation levels are specified by R-value, which measures how resistant to heat flow a particular product is. The higher the R-value, the more insulating properties it has. A professional can help you determine the right type and amount of insulation for your needs. 

When adding new insulation, you do not have to use the same type of insulation currently installed. You can blow in either fiberglass or cellulose over batts or blankets. If you do blow in insulation over fiberglass batt, be sure it doesn’t have paper backing, as that increases fire risks. Hiring a professional will ensure the entire work area is handled properly and up to code. 

What other questions do you have about installing new insulation in your home?