Why does nobody talk about using a shop vac to clean out old insulation before adding new stuff?

I'm tearing out this old blown-in fiberglass from my attic near San Mateo and it was a nightmare. Tried the whole bag it up method but that took forever. Then my buddy at the shop said just hook up a HEPA vac to a 4 inch hose and suck it straight out. Worked way faster but now I'm wondering if I missed some spots or if this is a hack that'll come back to bite me later. Anyone else do this or am I making a mess that'll show up in a few years?

2 comments

2 Comments

ryan6533d ago

Heard some guys say it works fine if you seal the attic good afterward.

parker_foster533d ago

@ryan653 brings up a good point about sealing but the real issue is that vacuuming can leave these micro-pockets of old insulation (like up against the roof deck or behind wiring) that you just can't see. Those hidden clumps trap moisture and can cause mold or rot over a few years if your attic ventilation isn't perfect. I'd say run your hand along the rafters and joints after you think you're done, and if you feel any puffy spots, hit 'em again with the vac. Better to spend an extra hour now than deal with a leaky roof later.