You have made the decision to have EPA-registered TAP® Pest Control Insulation installed in your attic. However, preparing for an attic cap or attic restoration service is beneficial. What should you expect or how you should prepare for it?
Preparation Considerations
Here are a few considerations to help when preparing for an attic cap or attic restoration service:
- Turn off your HVAC unit prior to the installation and keep it off for 2 hours after the job is complete. The HVAC unit in your home has intake vents that, if not turned off, can suck in the insulation debris and redistribute it throughout your house as dust.
- Protect your furniture and other valuables. You may want to cover furniture and other items to protect them from any dust that can land on them. If dust does land on them, it shouldn’t have any negative affect, but who wants that extra clean up?
- Many people ask if the dust is harmful. Let’s face it, no dust inhaled is ‘good,’ so it’s best to minimize the chance for it to occur. If dust does occur, however, studies have not shown any negative health effects to humans or pets. See the study by The Taylor & Francis Group.
- When the TAP® providers arrive, they will look for the easiest route to run the insulation hose up in your attic. The actual insulation blowing machine will stay outside of the house where it will be loaded with bags of TAP® Pest Control Insulation. The hose will run into the house so the material can be blown in the attic. Depending on the access point, it may be lead through a door or window. The installers will most likely put down plastic or drop cloths to protect your home.
- The TAP® providers may have to complete some prep work in the attic such as adding/replacing baffles, installing can or recessed light covers, stapling paper rulers to measure the install depth, installing a Hatchmaster attic stairway cover for your attic’s pull down stairs, and other repairs you may have agreed upon. There may be some hammering as they prepare for the install.
- The insulation machines used for the installation are powerful machines. The vacuums are gas powered engines around 23 hp and can make a lot of noise. While these are outside, it can sound like a large lawnmower running in place. The insulation blowing machines are usually electric. They are so powerful that many use two plugs/outlets and must be plugged into separate circuits to avoid tripping the breakers.
- If damaged or soiled insulation is to be removed in an attic restoration service, it may take 4-8 hours depending on the size and complexity of the attic. Installing the TAP® Pest Control Insulation may also take 4-8 hours to install. You can expect the complete job to take 1-2 days. Again, this depends on the scope of the job and complexity of the attic.
- In cases where rodent infestation occurs, the removal may take place and exclusion services performed. Some companies like to leave the area open and track any activity for up to 3-4 weeks prior to installing more insulation. This is to make sure they have discovered and sealed all access points.
Following the Installation
- Once the TAP® Pest Control Insulation is completely installed, the installers will remove the hose and the tarps used to protect the entry. They will do their best to leave the home the way they found it upon arrival.
- An attic card will be stapled to the studs nearest the attic’s entry point for accessibility. This will state the product used, the company who installed it, and the resulting R-Value.
- Some homeowners notice an odor they didn’t smell before the installation. TAP® Pest Control Insulation is comprised of two main ingredients – paper and borates. The paper is a mixture of recycled newsprint. Paper does have a “paper smell” but it mostly goes unnoticed in an attic. The borate is a technical grade (high quality) and has no odor or off-gassing. Often, the odor that is experienced is something that was in the house already. However, because the house is better insulated, it stays in the house longer making it more noticeable.
What Next?
Finally, enjoy your newly installed TAP® Pest Control Insulation with the added insect protection and increased energy savings. If you have other questions regarding preparing for an attic cap or attic restoration service, please contact us.