Replies

1. 
   razzman | Apr 16, 2006 01:25am | #1

   Greetings G,

   This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again.

   Perhaps it will catch someones attention that can help you with advice.

   Cheers

   'Nemo me impune lacesset'
   No one will provoke me with impunity

1. 
   IMERC | Apr 16, 2006 02:06am | #2

   rake up the bulk and bag it...

   shop vac the leftovers....Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

2. 
   GRCourter | Apr 20, 2006 10:22pm | #14

   Thanks for the bump.. .nothing had happened until you posted.. .I think that I now have the answers.

1. 
   razzman | Apr 21, 2006 04:17am | #15

   cool beans View Image

    

     

    

   'Nemo me impune lacesset'No one will provoke me with impunity

2. 
   mike4244 | Apr 16, 2006 02:19am | #3

   I had to remove blown in insulation once. What I did was use a dust collector without the bags.I piped 4" pvc pipe out an attic window and into a dumpster. The dumpster was covered with a tarp to minimze dust. The intake was a 4'-0" length of pvc with about 25'-0" of 4" hose. Took about four hours to remove an area of 1100 sf.

   mike

1. 
   GRCourter | Apr 20, 2006 10:12pm | #11

   Thanks Mike, I think I am going to use the Delta 1 1/2 horse and give it a try.

3. 
   thor | Apr 16, 2006 02:24am | #4

   go to http://www.wmwmeyer.com for a insul-vac. Not sure what the cost but the system appears to be gas powered. There out of Skokie Il. I know if you pay for the removal it runs into $.

1. 
   mrsludge | Apr 17, 2006 10:57pm | #5

   Some joker (i.e. a previous owner) decided that the deteriorating insulation in our '49 home could be supplemented with styrofoam packing peanuts. As in cubic yards of them.  Unfortunately, we (as first-time buyers) didn't comprehend what a pain this would be to deal with later when we negotiated after the inspection. Live and learn.

   I ended up making my own insulation vacuum to get it out.  Took a heavy-duty trashcan and cut two holes in the lid- one for shop vac hose (to which I added a screen) and the other for a 4" metal flex duct (like dryer duct).  Put a short rigid section and a reducer on the end of the flex.  At 2 trash can loads per 30 gal bag, I think I pulled out 50-60 bags from ~1,100 sq ft of attic.

   It was a good, cheap solution that worked, though I did wear through a couple of flex ducts.  Maybe more time-intensive than the more-expensive options.  It's been long enough ago that I forget how much time it took between vacuuming, foaming bypasses, and putting new insulation in.

1. 
   BobS | Apr 19, 2006 04:59pm | #6

   That sounds like a very reasonable DIY setup. So the flex duct was your wand/hose to pick up the insulation, right? Did you have any trouble keeping the screen to the shop vac from clogging? Any improvements to the setup you'd make?

1. 
   mrsludge | Apr 19, 2006 06:25pm | #8

   Yep, the 3 or 4" flex duct w/ a ~2' rigid section and reducer at the end was the wand I used to pick up the insulation.

   The screen definitely clogs frequently. You hear the pitch of the vac blower change. Without shutting the vac off, I'd just pop the top on the can, reach under the lid, and swipe the screen clear.  Depending on how much you do, you may need to clean/replace the filter in the vac along the way, too.

   Let's see, things I'd change or think about:

   - the flex duct wearing out; maybe I hadn't found foil tape yet, but I replaced the duct entirely rather than try to patch; that spiral-wound aluminum stuff just breaks down after you flex/stretch it enough times

   - bagging; I think I tried putting the bag in the can w/o much success; your basic HD contractor bags would hold more than the can, anyway; what I did was to fill the can, then empty into bag, then hold top closed while sitting on knees on bag to compress air out; used tie wire or something similar to tie off tops when full

   Some things that may be obvious:  Get a heavy duty trash can (Rubbermaid's is the Brute) b/c the thinner ones will collapse from the vacuum.  Cover up and wear knee pads (not skater ones w/ rigid cups- tend to slip off the top of 2X) and dust mask (a real respirator would probably be better).  Use one or more small pieces of OSB or ply as movable working platforms- I have a ~ 2' x 2' piece of particle board topped w/ laminate that is great.  Unless you have gobs of light, get a clamp light w/ a CFL bulb (doesn't get hot) and a headlamp (Black Diamond's dual-bulb version, Helion is current model, is ideal b/c you can use LED most of the time and conserve batteries).

   I also recommend sealing things up as best you can before re-insulating.  I didn't when I replaced the insulation, but I've since bought an expanding foam gun.  It has much better control than the straw cans.  I think even if I was blowing cellulose back in (which many say seals air leaks by itself), I'd still seal penetrations, top plates, etc, since you'll have the perfect opportunity.

   It's nasty work that I wouldn't wish on anyone. Best of luck.

1. 
   QCInspector | Apr 19, 2006 10:28pm | #9

   If your going to go the "doityourself" route like mrsludge did, then maybe these would help.http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=30282&cat=1,42401&ap=1

2. 
   JohnT8 | Apr 19, 2006 06:20pm | #7

    

   Some joker (i.e. a previous owner) decided that the deteriorating insulation in our '49 home could be supplemented with styrofoam packing peanuts. As in cubic yards of them. 

   He must have then moved into my project house, but by then he didn't have as many peanuts left.  Probably only 5-10 bags of them.

    jt8

   "If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base."  -- Dave Barry

2. 
   GRCourter | Apr 20, 2006 10:18pm | #12

   Thanks thor, I sent for a quote.. .will see how much.

1. 
   thor | Apr 23, 2006 04:28am | #17

   Your welcome. I just happened to get that info in one of those mailer bundles of q card size advertising in the mail that day. And they think someone really reads that stuff.

4. 
   JAlden | Apr 20, 2006 12:54am | #10

   We had ours removed by a company that installed blown in insulation. They just ran the machine in reverse (I think). In and out in less than a day. Paid about 600 dollars 7/8 years ago.

1. 
   GRCourter | Apr 20, 2006 10:21pm | #13

   I got a quote.. .$1800 to remove it.  They only wanted $2500 to insulate the second floor.  I don't think that I will use them for either.

5. 
   Stephen_J | Apr 21, 2006 04:50am | #16

   We hired an insulation company to remove the insulation from the ceiling over our kitchen...$200 for about 4 hours work.  What a deal; no fuss, no mess, all gone.

   Home Insulation Contractors in Albany, Oregon