Brilliant Handyman Type Needed

[Carbo]

I'm one of the dopes who calls south Florida home. Wilma hit my neighborhood like a Jerome Bettis goal line smash. Roof is gone for the most part, and this created some serious leaks throughout the house.
My question is how do I go about removing the existing wet insulation in the attic? It was the blown in type, either fiberglass or cellulose. That crap needs to be pulled out and the attic treated for mold, I assume. Are there companies that will do this? Does anyone here have some time on there hands?

 

[Armitage]

Probably the drywall in your ceiling needs to be replaced also. I'm sure there are plenty of companies that will do the work for you, though there may be a waiting list. I'm suprised you aren't innundated with flyers/calls/direct mail etc. from these guys.

In the mean time, I'd get up there with a shovel and some trash bags to start getting that stuff out of there so things can start drying out. Wear a respirator - the dust from that insulation (if any of it is dry) is bad news. And the mold isn't good either.

Good luck :beer:

 

[arcas]

If it's blown-in insulation, you can probably jimmy-rig a wet-dry vac to get most of it. Get a sturdy 30-40 gallon rubbermaid-type trashcan with a lid that seals tight. Cut two holes on opposite sides near the top the size of your wet-dry vac's hose. Secure the hose from your wet-dry vac to one of these holes. Secure another hose to the other hole. You'll use this second hose to actually vacuum up the insulation. Like Armitage said, wear an appropriate respirator.

The idea here is that the heavy material that you vacuum up will collect in the (much larger) garbage can instead of filling up your vacuum's container. If you attach a screen to the inside of the garbage can where the vacuum's hose attaches, it might help prevent your vacuum's HEPA filter from clogging. I don't know how well this would work for insulation (maybe not well) but woodworkers sometimes use a setup like this in their shops. The heavier pieces of wood collect in the garbage can while the airborne sawdust continues on to the vacuum itself.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

there are companies that do this, but you can do it yourself. Buy a cheap leaf vacuum and go to town. If the insulation is still wet, buy a gas one, so you don't electrocute yourself. Or use a shovel.

There are no health issues related to the dust from cellulose insulation in the amount you will experience, and fiberglas will make you itchy, so dress accordingly and wear a respirator.

Once you have removed the insulation, you will have to see what the damage is like. It may air out and dry without problem, or you might have mold growth started. If you see mold, spray it with a 50/50 mix of bleach and water to kill it, then wipe it up.

edit: if you want a collection system like Armitage described, but a leaf collection system attachement for a Black & Decker Leaf Hog Vacuum Blower. I modified it to work with my craftsman gas leaf blower/vac and it works great.