GTA & Surrounding Area
416-333-4554As many homeowners know, old attic insulation in Toronto has a tendency to stop providing as many benefits over time. In some cases, the insulation may simply be aging and unproductive. In other cases, the materials could be damaged or even contaminated. Whatever the situation, when it’s time for insulation removal, EcoComfort can provide homeowners with a comprehensive approach that is safe and clean.
We are happy to be serving the GTA and proud to be providing premium cellulose, blown-in insulation to homes throughout the area. The high-performing results of cellulose insulation are evident in many of our customers across Ontario. In many cases, blown-in cellulose insulation offers a better R-Value (insulation performance) than alternative insulation materials leading homeowners to experience good, consistent results for an extended period of time. The many benefits of cellulose, including its exceptional performance and longevity, is urging many homeowners to remove exisitng insulation. Insulation removal in Toronto is recommended especially if your current insulation is insufficient, deteriorated, old, or worn-out. An attic insulation upgrade may be just what your home needs to operate efficiently.
A Step-by-Step Approach to Attic Insulation Removal in the Greater Toronto AreaOur overall approach to insulation removal is not only unique, but highly recommended. With attic insulation removal in Toronto, EcoComfort begins with an in-depth inspection of the space. This allows for an accurate assessment of conditions, including the existing insulation as well as the physical structure. At this stage, our experienced team will determine if insulation removal is required, or if a “topping up” approach will suffice. Beyond insulation, we inspect for air leakage and energy efficiency, where additional retrofitting (air sealing and mechanical ventilation) may be required.
In the attic and roof cavity, EcoComfort recommends insulation removal in a variety of scenarios. In fact, insulation removal is an ideal option when renovations are underway or when retrofitting is being considered. Regardless of the problem, it’s important to do the work right from day one.
With Eco Comfort, insulation removal is extensive, using state-of-the-art vacuum equipment, and managing waste materials in a safe manner. For home residents, there is no leftover mess and no residual dust. We also specialize in decontamination and disinfection, where animal waste or insect infestation may require extra work. What’s important is to prepare the attic space properly so that newly installed insulation provides long-term performance and optimal energy efficiency.
With attic insulation removal in Toronto, a professional approach to removal and re-installation is preferred. The experts have the right equipment and expertise, and it’s not the right time or place for a DIY project. Removing insulation can be risky and dangerous, particularly if the existing insulation materials are contaminated. Even worse, there could be residual asbestos or other substances.
For the most part, it’s unwise to simply remove old insulation and replace with new materials. Before installing new insulation, EcoComfort will recommend repairs and/or retrofits that may be necessary. For example, most residential attics need to improve airtightness throughout the installation space. More than anything, this will ensure better overall insulation performance.
Knowing when it is time to replace your attic insulation in Mississauga may seem as difficult as telling your fortune from the stars - but at EcoComfort, we can help you identify the signs that your insulation’s time is up and help you choose new insulation that’ll give your home the longevity that you need.
Modern insulation is made to be durable, long lasting, and to resist weather and humidity. According to a number of organizations specializing in insulation and home inspections, in ideal conditions, modern insulations will last much longer than you might think - 80-100 years is the usual estimate!
One common concern that we hear often at EcoComfort is about how much blown in cellulose insulation is going to settle post installation. The reason that cellulose insulation works so well is that it traps air in between its pieces - that air acts as a barrier between the exterior temperatures outside of your home and your conditioned air inside. When insulation settles over time, it compresses and those air pockets disappear, reducing your insulation’s efficacy.
Cellulose insulation can expect to see up to 20% loss of R Values due to settling, and settlement can be exacerbated when it’s poorly installed. The good news is that by choosing to work with a professional installation team like EcoComfort, we can easily compensate for settlement and our expert teams prevent any problems that less experienced companies may encounter. Our thorough knowledge of the materials we use means that we know exactly how much our products settle depending on where and how they’re installed; this allows us to compensate by adding more insulation in a process called dense packing.
Dense packing means we compress the insulation slightly by filling a given space with more materials - as it settles, the compressed fibres actually expand and fill the space, completely eliminating the usual settlement problems.
Keeping moisture out of your home is an important part of your maintenance plan - unwanted water can cause big problems! That’s why it’s totally understandable that some folks worry about cellulose insulation getting wet - after all, it’s made out of paper and we all know what happens to paper when it gets wet!
In Southern Ontario it’s not usually necessary to install a vapour barrier in the attic before installing new cellulose insulation - in ideal conditions, cellulose insulation can last up to 100 years before it needs replacement. One thing we always recommend to do before installing new insulation, however, is to thoroughly air seal your attic, which will help prevent air leaks, water, or pest infiltration that will affect its lifespan.
Can You Put New Insulation Over Old?Because of cellulose insulation’s great lifespan, it is our first choice for most insulation projects. One common question we have from our customers is whether or not new insulation can be installed over the old. This situation often arises in part because of changing building codes. Let’s say you had your attic insulated with cellulose twenty years ago - your insulation may be in perfect shape, but it’s likely only enough to satisfy the building code back then. With today’s improved knowledge of materials, building practices, and our updated building code, that old insulation may not be keeping up with the rest of the changes in your home and life.
Blown in cellulose insulation can easily be used to top up attics that need a bit of help to increase their R Value up to contemporary standards. As long as your old insulation is free of damp, mold, and pests, new cellulose can be blown right over top.
Installing blown in cellulose insulation is one of the most functionally simple types of installations we do, which means that we can be in and out of your home in a single day - often even less! While saving you time is one of the big benefits of choosing cellulose insulation, another is that it’s a flexible and mess free process. If it’s walls you’d like to insulate, small holes can be made at the top of the wall between the joists and insulation is directed through these small openings to fill the cavity. This eliminates the need to take down big pieces of drywall and leaves toonie sized holes that can easily be filled and painted over.
At EcoComfort Insulation, we love cellulose insulation! We think it’s the best insulation choice on the market, with a tried and true reputation, longevity, and ease of installation - not to mention the great R Values that will keep your home cozy all year long.
As you might have guessed from our name, one of our company’s priorities is providing safe and environmentally friendly solutions for homeowners, and cellulose fits the bill. Made of up to 85% recycled newspaper and post-consumer paper, it’s treated only with an all-natural and safe chemical called boric acid that’s used as an insecticide and mold preventative. And that’s it - no toxic chemicals, no carcinogenic materials, just paper that would otherwise be heading to a landfill. When it comes to making environmentally friendly choices for your home, cellulose tops the list.
Properly insulating your home is also a key part of decreasing your home’s environmental footprint, and cellulose insulation shines here too. Cellulose offers great comparative R Values and even outperforms other insulation materials. When it comes to longevity, cellulose is a great investment, as it’s likely to outlive your time in your home as it can last up to 100 years.
The last reason we want to highlight is its safety. In a video called “The Big Burn”, three different structures are set ablaze. One is uninsulated, the next contains fibreglass, and the last has cellulose insulation. Cellulose fails 25 minutes after the uninsulated and fibreglass insulated structures do - and in the event of a real house fire, that 25 minutes could mean life or death for you and your family.
The short answer to this question is that any time is a good time to insulate your home, since insulation works all year round to prevent outside air from getting into your house and vice versa. But there are also individual factors to consider that depend on your home and where it’s located.
In some cases, the best time to insulate is before a major season shift - spring and fall are good times, but it’s also often when we’re at our busiest! If you’re already renovating, insulation can often be installed while other work is ongoing - which saves you time and inconvenience. While the prices of insulation don’t really fluctuate throughout the year, the savings you gain from properly insulating your house can actually have a big effect on your wallet. If you’re wasting money heating or cooling a home where the majority of that conditioned air is escaping outside, the sooner that situation is fixed the better! If you notice your heating and cooling bills are out of control every month, it might be time to consider insulating your home.
If you need to remove old insulation from your attic, you might be concerned about the cost associated with this kind of renovation project. While each home is different, and each attic has its own needs and quirks, there are a few factors that affect the price of an attic insulation removal:
These varying factors are the reason why we do free assessments and quotes at EcoComfort - this gives you an idea of what sort of work will need to be done, as well as the benefits and positive changes that will come post-removal. It’s those benefits that make attic insulation removal so valuable. Starting with a clean slate brings huge benefits in efficiency, airtightness, and indoor comfort.
Yes! Blown in insulation is one of the best types of insulation in part because it’s so easy to install AND to remove. There are many reasons that you might want to remove your blown in insulation - it may be old, damaged by water or rodents, or you may want to change to a different type of insulation. At EcoComfort, we have the tools and knowledge to safely and efficiently remove blown in insulation with no mess, dust, and with you and your family’s safety in mind.
The attic is the most important and often most forgotten room in our homes. While they are generally not usable space, they have a huge footprint that usually spans the complete length and width of our home. The attic also plays an important part in the temperature levels of our homes. Heat rises, which makes a well insulated attic a key player in keeping conditioned air inside your home. An under insulated attic results in energy waste, temperature swings, and poor indoor air quality. A well insulated attic will help you save money every month on your heating and cooling bills, help to keep your home comfortable, and has a myriad of other environmental and physical benefits.
While we always recommend a professional assessment for an accurate and thorough opinion, taking a quick peek into your attic can tell you a number of things about the state of your insulation. Some things to look out for include:
If you see any of these signs, it’s a good idea to call the EcoComfort team in to have a closer look. We can help to determine the cause of any attic problems and assess the amount of damage present - and, if necessary, let you know what the attic insulation removal cost may be.
Your insulation should be replaced when it is damaged or if it is no longer safe or up to code. Damaged insulation is ineffective insulation and can harbour dangerous problems like mold growth or pests. Unsafe insulation may be contaminated with substances like asbestos, or there simply may not be enough to bring your home up to code. One good rule when thinking about replacing insulation is asking yourself when it was installed. If you don’t know or it’s been longer than two decades, installing new insulation is guaranteed to be a great investment for your home.
Unlike our favourite pair of jeans, your attic insulation doesn’t get as much wear and tear but it can still wear out and become ineffective. Various factors, including weather, your home’s architecture, damage, humidity, and pests can all affect the lifespan and wear of insulation. Whether or not your insulation is worn out isn’t always straightforward, which is why having a professional assessment can help to determine whether you need a complete replacement or if only a top-up is needed.
Can a House be Sealed Too Tightly?The question of tightly sealed homes is one that has been a big conversation in the home renovation trade for the last few years. But like anything, the answer isn’t always straightforward.
A home with good air sealing has many advantages over one that doesn’t, and when it comes to our area of expertise, a well sealed attic is an important part of any attic insulation installation. When you invest in your home you want your investment to last, and creating the ideal conditions for your new insulation will help it to perform at its best for a longer period of time. Sealing your attic’s cracks, gaps, and other places where air can leak or pests, weather, or water can enter will help prevent premature aging of insulation as well as allow it to play its part in air sealing your home.
Old or damaged insulation will affects your whole home and can create a number of different problems for homeowners. The first sign is usually rising home energy costs - old insulation can’t work effectively and will allow air to leak and heat to escape. Old insulation may also harbour dangerous contaminants like asbestos, a carcinogenic material that was extensively used in home and commercial buildings up until the 90s. It can also off gas or release microfibres that make their way into your indoor air stream, and can be the catalyst for mold growth, which can quickly spread to other areas of your home.
With all these potential problems, a professional assessment and insulation removal by EcoComfort will ensure that any old or contaminated materials are safely removed. Any problems will be identified and fixed before new insulation is installed as well.
A well-insulated attic will save on utilities and ensure more comfort throughout the home. At EcoComfort we only use safe, chemical-free, insulation materials. All our work is guaranteed and for many years of satisfaction.
Providing insulation services in the Greater Toronto Area, our work often exceeds homeowner expectations. From attic ventilation problems to animal damage, to leaky roofs, local homeowners can rely on EcoComfort to manage a project from end to end – and it’s all done with excellent service.
To find out more, call EcoComfort for a free estimate at 416-333-4554 or visit the company website at https://www.ecocomfortinsulators.ca
We are experts in attic insulation, attic ventilation, attic mould prevention and remediation, and attic disinfection. Our quality products are eco-friendly, non-toxic, and safe for indoor use. Meaning you won’t ever have to vacate your home. Our attention to detail is unmatched.
All of our insulation products are Canadian-made and carefully screened to meet rigid quality standards. We don’t sacrifice the quality of our product, we stand by our work, and we offer a warranty on all of our services.
We offer a wide range of attic and roof services. We have the best and most reliable equipment on the market. Our team of full-time, experienced attic experts can handle every aspect of the job, we never subcontract our jobs.
We make sure that every job is done right from start to finish and that every customer is 100% satisfied. We have a long list of happy customers and have insulated thousands of attics over the years. Our level of experience in this field is unmatched!
We don’t pay commissions to salespeople. At EcoComfort, there’s no inflated pricing, no hidden fees or surprise costs. We believe in doing the job efficiently the first time around. We never compromise on quality; our work is always guaranteed.
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