View Single Post
  #1   Report Post  
Seamus
 
Posts: n/a
Default Shredded Styrofoam Insulation in attic- how to remove

Hello,

In what seems very unusal to me, my home has shredded styrofoam in the
attic as insulation.

I've verified its styrofoam- there are some large chunks, and all of
it weighs, acts and burns like sytrofoam.

I'm not happy to have it there- it strikes me as a possible fire
hazzard, especially with possible poison gas emisions in a fire.

I would like to replace this insulation with something more modern,
efficient and safe. As of now, I'm leaning towards rolled out
fiberglass insulation because thats what I have worked with- if
someone could point me to a thread or site with a discussion on the
relative merits of different types, that would be helpfull.

I am planning on installing several skylights, so that might affect
the type of insulation to get.

But first, I have to get the styrofoam out. I suspect a shop-vac
would work well for this. However, its difficult to pull a shop-vac
around a cramped attic, and the size of the bucket is a limitation.

Is it possible to rent something that is essentially a large shop-vac
with a really long hose, and can have its output put into a set of
large trash bins/bags?

Is there a better way to approach this? Are my fears of poison gas in
a fire actually unwaranted (e.g. should I just put more insulation on
top of the sytrofoam?).

Any pointers would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

-- Seamus