How do I clean insulation fibres from the air after attic work in my Ottawa home?

Insulation fibres from attic work are an air quality concern that calls for a careful cleanup. Whether your attic project involved fibreglass batt insulation, blown-in cellulose, or mineral wool, the fibres and dust released during installation, removal, or disturbance can irritate skin, eyes, and the respiratory system. Fibreglass in particular can make exposed skin itch and irritate the throat and nose. The first priority is to prevent these fibres from spreading beyond the attic space and into the living areas of your Ottawa home.

Immediately after attic work is complete, seal the attic access hatch or door as tightly as possible using plastic sheeting and tape. If your attic access is a pull-down staircase, cover the entire opening from below with heavy plastic sheeting and seal all edges with a tape that holds well. This helps stop fibres from drifting down through the opening as air moves between the attic and the living space. Any time the hatch is opened, fibres can fall into the room below, so keep openings to a minimum until the cleanup is done.

For fibres that have already entered the living space, HEPA air scrubbers help. Position one or more in the affected rooms and run them during and after cleaning. Insulation fibres are generally larger and heavier than the finest construction dust, so many of them settle out of the air fairly quickly — which works in your favour, because settled fibres can be picked up with a HEPA vacuum.

HEPA vacuum all surfaces thoroughly, paying close attention to horizontal surfaces near the attic access including the tops of door frames, light fixtures, shelving, and any furnishings in hallways or rooms below the attic. Insulation fibres cling to fabric surfaces, so upholstered furniture, curtains, and bedding in nearby rooms should be vacuumed with a HEPA upholstery attachment and then laundered. Clothing stored in closets near the attic access should also be washed. Follow HEPA vacuuming with damp microfibre wiping of all hard surfaces to capture fibres that vacuuming missed.

If the attic work involved disturbing old insulation in an older home, there is a possibility the material contains asbestos — loose, pebble-like vermiculite insulation is one to be especially careful with. Stop cleanup and have it tested first; suspected asbestos is a job for an abatement contractor, not a regular cleaning crew. If the insulation is modern, extensive attic work can still justify hiring a post-construction cleaning crew. Quotes in Ottawa can run roughly $500 to $1,500 depending on how far the fibres spread — ask for itemized written quotes, and ask each company what HEPA equipment and containment they use. The Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com can connect you with independent cleaning companies that handle this kind of cleanup.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• 613Bins
• RenoMotion Inc.
• Prism Services
• Geerts Roofing Inc
• The Next Reno