Wet insulation pulled down from floor joists

Crawl Space Insulation

Crawl Space Insulation Removal & Replacement in Seattle, WA

Insulation sagging, wet or contaminated under your floor? We remove it, clean the space and replace insulation where needed.

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Damaged Insulation

Wet Insulation Under the Floor Does More Harm Than Good

Insulation between the floor joists is meant to keep the floor warm. Once it gets wet, it stops doing that job. It sags or falls to the ground, holds moisture against the wood, and gives mold a place to grow. Insulation can also be contaminated by pests or by sewage from a leaking line. In any of these cases, drying it in place is rarely enough; it has to come out.

Our IICRC-certified technicians remove wet, moldy or contaminated insulation and debris, dispose of it, and clean the crawl space before anything new goes in. We replace insulation where needed and install a vapor barrier to protect it. We answer 24/7, with an average response time of 45 minutes, and offer free estimates.

Clean crawl space with a new white vapor barrier

Related Crawl Space Services

Damaged insulation is usually a sign of water or mold. These services handle the cause.

Standing water in a crawl space

Crawl Space Water Removal

We pump out standing water and dry the soil, framing and subfloor under your home.

Mold on wooden floor joists in a crawl space

Crawl Space Mold Removal

We clean and treat mold on joists, beams and subfloor with HEPA equipment and address the moisture.

New vapor barrier installed in a crawl space

Crawl Space Vapor Barrier

A new vapor barrier and better ventilation help keep ground moisture out of your crawl space.

Technician inspecting a wet crawl space under a house

All Crawl Space Cleaning

See every part of our crawl space cleaning service, from the first call to final repairs.

Crawl Space Insulation Removal in the Seattle Area

Why insulation fails in Seattle crawl spaces

Many Seattle-area homes have insulation stapled or wedged between the floor joists over a dirt crawl space. During the long wet season, groundwater, poor drainage and condensation keep that space damp. Insulation absorbs the moisture, gets heavy and falls down. Flooding makes it worse: if your crawl space has standing water, start with crawl space water removal, then deal with the insulation.

Insulation that stays damp holds moisture against the wood above it, which can lead to mold on the joists and subfloor. Pests can also nest in it, leaving droppings and debris. Removing that contamination is part of our crawl space cleaning work.

Signs your insulation needs to come out

  • Insulation sagging, falling down or lying on the ground
  • Wet, stained or matted insulation after rain or a plumbing leak
  • Visible mold on the insulation or the joists around it
  • Signs of rodents or other pests, such as nesting or droppings
  • Exposure to sewage from a broken sewer line under the house
  • Floors that feel colder than they used to, or a musty smell indoors

What our insulation removal and replacement includes

  1. Inspection of the insulation, moisture levels, mold and pest contamination, and the cause of the damage.
  2. Removal and disposal of wet, moldy or contaminated insulation, old vapor barrier and debris.
  3. Cleaning of the crawl space, with HEPA vacuuming to capture dust and spores. If mold is on the framing, see crawl space mold removal.
  4. Drying of the soil, framing and subfloor if moisture is present.
  5. Replacement of insulation where needed, plus a new crawl space vapor barrier to help keep ground moisture away from it.

Why the cause comes first

New insulation in a crawl space that still floods or stays humid will fail the same way. Before we replace anything, we find out why the old insulation got wet or dirty: groundwater after heavy rain, a plumbing leak, a missing vapor barrier, or pests. We fix what is in our scope, such as drying and a new barrier, and tell you about drainage or ventilation problems that need other trades. That way the new insulation has a dry space to work in.

What to do now

If the insulation is wet from sewage or floodwater, stay out of the crawl space and keep children and pets away. Do not try to dry soaked insulation with fans; it usually has to come out. The EPA notes that porous materials may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. If you are dealing with sewage, see our sewage backup cleanup service.

We remove and replace crawl space insulation in Seattle, Tacoma, Auburn and nearby communities.

Call (206) 203-6155 any time, day or night, for a free estimate.

Why Choose 911 Restoration Seattle?

A trusted, local team committed to fast, professional and caring service.

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Fast Response

We're available 24/7, with an average response time of 45 minutes, to stop the damage fast.

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Local & Experienced

A local team based in Federal Way that knows Seattle-area homes and buildings.

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Certified Technicians

IICRC-certified technicians using proven restoration methods.

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Insurance Support

We document the damage and work with most insurance companies to simplify your claim.

Our Insulation Removal Process

Old insulation comes out, the space is cleaned, and new protection goes in.

1

Call Us 24/7

Call (206) 203-6155 to schedule an inspection and free estimate.

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2

Inspect Insulation

We check for wet, sagging, moldy or pest-contaminated insulation and find the cause.

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3

Remove & Clean

Damaged insulation and debris are removed and disposed of, and the area is sanitized.

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4

Replace & Protect

We replace insulation where needed and install a vapor barrier to help keep it dry.

Areas We Serve

We provide crawl space insulation removal throughout Seattle and the surrounding communities, including:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my crawl space insulation needs to be removed?

Look through the access hatch. Insulation that is sagging, falling down between the joists, lying on the ground, stained or wet usually needs to come out. A musty smell in the house, floors that feel colder than before, or signs of rodents or other pests under the house are also reasons to have it checked.

Can wet crawl space insulation dry out on its own?

Rarely. A crawl space stays damp in the Seattle wet season, so soaked insulation can stay wet for a long time and hold moisture against the joists. The EPA notes that porous materials may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. If the water was sewage or floodwater, the insulation should be removed.

Why remove insulation that has rodent or pest debris?

Insulation that pests have nested in or soiled is contaminated and can add odors to the air that moves up into the house. Cleaning it in place is not practical. We remove and dispose of the contaminated insulation and debris and clean the area before new insulation goes in. Sealing entry points is a separate job for a pest control company.

Do you replace the insulation after removing it?

Yes, where needed. After the old insulation is removed and the space is cleaned and dry, we replace insulation and install a vapor barrier to help protect it from ground moisture. We will explain what we recommend for your crawl space during the inspection and include it in your free estimate.

Should I pull out the old insulation myself?

We advise against it if the insulation is moldy, wet from sewage or contaminated by pests. Pulling it down releases dust and spores in a tight space with poor air. Wear protection if you go in at all. We remove it, then clean the area with HEPA vacuuming to capture dust and spores before new insulation goes in.

Google Reviews

★★★★★

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Billy Meiners
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Super responsive! Definitely would recommend.
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Seth Wiggins
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Great service and extremely knowledgeable and helpful throughout the entire process
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Guy Edwards profile picture
Guy Edwards
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Working with 911 Restoration has been great! I searched for the fastest response for water damage restoration and mold removal and found they had the best reviews. I recommend them to anybody on the Seattle area.
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Amy Smith profile picture
Amy Smith
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Josiah and Mark are absolutely amazing! They are so professional, and really care about their jobs. You get this sense of relief knowing you are going to be taken care of when working with them! I will continue to tell my family and friends about 911 Restoration in Seattle! Thank you!!!
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Daniel Lieberman
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Very professional company that does good work is fair and transparent with pricing and accommodated our schedule. I will use them again.
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Alex McCoy
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Quick and efficient! The team at 911 Restoration was very efficient and worked well with our insurance company. They took care of everything for us regarding the water damage. The office staff kept us informed and the crew was respectful of us and our belongings. So professional. Thank you 911!!!!
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Ronit Ashkenazi
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I highly recommend working with 911 restoration. Their team is extremely responsive, professional, and communicative from start to finish. Teya, Arturo, and the team who removed the mold were great to work with. I will use their services again!
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Marie Gundersen
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Everyone 911 Restoration was timely, very professional and performed quality work. Their communication was also very good. In addition, they helped us with the company that we used to buy flooring for the bathroom and carpeting for the remainder of the house. I am back home and very pleased with everything.
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Hugh Downer
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An inspection revealed groundwater in our crawlspace. Another business never got back to me with an estimate so I call 911 Restoration. They came out the next day and gave me an estimate (Very Reasonable) and scheduled the work to begin in 4 days. Due to a snowstorm they had to delay two days, but got the work done promptly and professionally. I would contact them first in the future if I had need of their services.
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M
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We recently had a water damage in our house and called 911 Restoration. Teya was courteous, explained what needs to be done, and answered all our questions patiently. The water mitigation crew were timely, professional, and efficient. They brought in equipment to dry the floor, removed damaged items, cleaned/sanitized, as well as thoroughly documented the damage for insurance. I would highly recommend them to anyone dealing with such a situation!

Need Crawl Space Insulation Removed?

Call 911 Restoration Seattle 24/7 to remove damaged crawl space insulation and protect your floors.

(206) 203-6155 24/7 Emergency Response