Out with the old
Insulation Removal & Replacement in Davenport, IA
When old insulation is wet, dirty or in the way, we take it out and start fresh.
- Free on-site estimates
- Written quote with foam type, thickness and R-value per area
- Leaks, wiring and damp spots flagged before anything gets covered
When Old Insulation Has to Go
Insulation removal and replacement is needed when the insulation you have is doing more harm than good. In the Quad Cities that usually means one of three things: insulation that got soaked in a flood or a roof leak, insulation that rodents or animals have nested in, or old insulation that blocks the air sealing a house badly needs. We vacuum it out, seal the space, and put in new insulation to the right depth.
Floods and leaks
The Mississippi crested at 22.63 feet in Davenport in 1993, according to Wikipedia, and the river flooded again in 2008, 2019 and 2023. Duck Creek flash flooding has hit Davenport and Bettendorf neighborhoods too. Wet fiberglass loses most of its R-value and can hold moisture against framing. Wet cellulose mats down and can grow mold. After any flooding in a basement or crawl space, insulation that got wet should come out, and the space should dry before anything new goes in.
Rodents and debris
Attics and crawl spaces in older houses often have mouse or squirrel nests, droppings and tunnels in the insulation. That insulation is unsanitary and no longer insulates well. We remove it with a commercial vacuum, bag it and haul it away, then seal the entry points we can reach before new insulation goes in.
Vermiculite and asbestos
Some older attics have vermiculite, a pebbly gray-brown or gold loose fill. Some vermiculite contains asbestos. If we see it, we stop and recommend testing. Asbestos removal is work for a licensed abatement contractor, and HomeAdvisor lists it at $1,190 to $3,255. Once it is cleared, we can seal and insulate.
Removing spray foam
Sometimes foam was sprayed over a leak, applied badly or needs to come out for a repair. Foam removal is slower, hand work. HomeGuide lists it at $1.00 to $2.50 per square foot, and Fixr says hand-chipping can run up to about $5.
Replace and improve
Removal is a chance to do things right. With the attic or crawl space empty, we can seal every gap, fix the venting and then insulate to the current target. HomeAdvisor puts removal plus replacement at about $1,852 on average. Get a free estimate
What Removal Covers
Getting the old material out and the space ready for new.
Attic vacuum removal
Commercial vacuum removal of loose fill, bagged and hauled away.
Flood-damaged insulation
Pulling wet batts and loose fill from basements and crawl spaces.
Rodent cleanout
Removing soiled insulation and sealing reachable entry points.
Spray foam removal
Cutting out foam over leaks or failed installs.
Replacement
Air sealing and new insulation to the target R-value.
Crawl space cleanout
Pulling fallen batts and debris from crawl spaces before a vapor barrier goes down.
Published Removal Costs
| Job | Range and source |
|---|---|
| Insulation removal, per sq ft | $1 to $2 (HomeAdvisor) |
| Typical removal job | $600 to $1,200, about $900 average (HomeAdvisor) |
| About 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 to $2,000 (HomeAdvisor) |
| Removal plus replacement | About $1,852 average (HomeAdvisor) |
| Spray foam removal | $1.00 to $2.50 per sq ft (HomeGuide); $1.50 to $3, up to about $5 hand-chipped (Fixr) |
| Asbestos removal (abatement contractor) | $1,190 to $3,255 (HomeAdvisor) |
These are national figures from HomeAdvisor (June 2026), HomeGuide (2026) and Fixr (2025). How much material there is, access, contamination and disposal set the cost, and you pay the figure on our written estimate.
How Removal Works
1. Inspect
We look at the material, check for vermiculite and note any damage.
2. Quote
Removal, sealing and new insulation are priced separately.
3. Remove
We vacuum or pull the old material and haul it off.
4. Seal and dry
We seal gaps and make sure the space is dry.
5. Re-insulate
New insulation goes in to the planned depth.
Why Choose Us for Insulation Removal & Replacement
Line-item pricing
Removal and replacement are priced separately.
Vermiculite caution
We stop and recommend testing if we see it.
Dry before new
Nothing new goes over damp framing.
Insulation Removal & Replacement Questions
Does wet insulation have to come out?
Usually, yes. Wet fiberglass loses most of its R-value and wet cellulose mats down and can grow mold. It also keeps framing damp.
How long does attic removal take?
Most attics take a day. Larger or heavily soiled attics can take longer.
What if I have vermiculite?
Do not disturb it. Have it tested. If it contains asbestos, a licensed abatement contractor removes it before we insulate.
Can you remove spray foam?
Yes, but it is slower and costs more than removing loose fill because it is cut and scraped by hand.
Insulation Removal & Replacement Service Areas
- Spray Foam Insulation in Davenport, IA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Bettendorf, IA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Moline, IL
- Spray Foam Insulation in Rock Island, IL
- Spray Foam Insulation in East Moline, IL
- Spray Foam Insulation in Silvis, IL
- Spray Foam Insulation in Milan, IL
- Spray Foam Insulation in Eldridge, IA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Le Claire, IA
- Spray Foam Insulation in DeWitt, IA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Geneseo, IL
- Spray Foam Insulation in Muscatine, IA
Get an Insulation Removal & Replacement Estimate
Tell us what you found in the attic or basement. We will look and send a written price.