After floods, leaks and pests
Storm-Damaged Insulation Removal in New Orleans, LA
Wet or fouled insulation out, the cause found, new insulation in.
- Free on-site estimates
- Itemized written quotes with material, depth and R-value
- Under-floor, attic and moisture problems checked first
When the Old Insulation Has to Go
Storm-damaged insulation removal is a common call in New Orleans. Hurricanes tear shingles and soak attic insulation; floods wet the insulation under raised floors and in the lower walls; and rodents move into attics and leave their mess behind. Wet insulation loses most of its value and keeps wood damp. Fouled insulation smells and should not stay.
What comes out and how
Loose fill in the attic is vacuumed out with a high-powered hose into bags or a truck. Batts are bagged by hand. Fallen, wet batts under a raised house are pulled and bagged. Spray foam is cut and scraped, which is slower; Fixr lists foam removal at $1.50 to $3 per square foot and up to about $5 when it has to be chipped by hand. We contain the dust and protect the rooms below.
Find the cause
With the old material out, the attic or underside is easy to inspect. We look for the roof leak, plumbing leak or pest entry point that caused the damage. Roof repairs and pest exclusion should be done before new insulation goes in, or it will happen again.
Vermiculite
Gray-brown, pebbly vermiculite in older attics may contain asbestos. We do not disturb it. It should be tested and, if needed, removed by a licensed abatement contractor; HomeAdvisor lists asbestos removal at $1,190 to $3,255 for typical jobs.
New insulation
Once the space is clean and dry, we seal air leaks and install new insulation: blown-in or foam in the attic, closed-cell under raised floors. Each piece is a separate line on the quote, so insurance adjusters and you can see what is what. Get a free estimate
Timing after a storm
After a hurricane or a big rain, roofers and insulation crews get busy. Wet insulation should not sit for weeks, so if the roof is fixed but the attic is still wet, removing the soaked material quickly limits damage to the ceiling and framing below. Call us once the leak is stopped and we will look.
Removal Jobs
What we take out and put back.
Wet attic fill
Vacuumed out after roof leaks.
Fallen under-floor batts
Pulled and bagged from under raised homes.
Flooded wall insulation
Removed from opened walls during repairs.
Rodent-fouled insulation
Removed after the pest company has closed entry points.
Replacement
New insulation installed once the space is clean and dry.
Published Insulation Removal Costs
| Job | Range and source |
|---|---|
| Insulation removal, per sq ft | $1 to $2 (HomeAdvisor) |
| Typical removal job | $600 to $1,200, about $900 average (HomeAdvisor) |
| About 1,000 sq ft | $1,000 to $2,000 (HomeAdvisor) |
| Removal plus replacement | About $1,852 average (HomeAdvisor) |
| Spray foam removal | $1.00 to $2.50 per sq ft (HomeGuide); $1.50 to $3, up to about $5 hand-chipped (Fixr) |
| Asbestos removal (abatement contractor) | $1,190 to $3,255 (HomeAdvisor) |
National figures from HomeAdvisor (June 2026), HomeGuide (2026) and Fixr (2025). Amount of material, access, contamination and haul-off set the cost. The number on our written estimate is what you pay.
How Removal Goes
1. Inspect
Identify the material and the damage.
2. Quote
Removal, cleanup and reinstall as separate lines.
3. Remove
Contain, vacuum or bag, haul away.
4. Seal
Close air leaks while the space is open.
5. Reinsulate
New material to the target R-value.
Why Choose Us for Storm-Damaged Insulation Removal
Itemized for insurance
Removal and replacement listed separately.
Cause found
We look for what ruined the insulation.
Suspect material left alone
Vermiculite is tested, not disturbed.
Storm-Damaged Insulation Removal Questions
Does insurance cover insulation replacement after a storm?
That depends on your policy and the cause. Our itemized quote helps you and your adjuster see the work.
Can wet insulation dry out and stay?
Lightly damp loose fill may dry if the leak is fixed fast, but flood-soaked or matted insulation should be replaced.
How long does removal take?
Most attics take a day to clear. Under-floor removal depends on clearance.
Do you handle mold?
We remove insulation, not mold. If we see mold on framing, we tell you so it can be handled by the right specialist.
Can you remove just part of the attic insulation?
Yes. If a leak soaked one section, we can replace that area and blend new material into the rest, as long as the remaining insulation is dry.
Storm-Damaged Insulation Removal Service Areas
- Spray Foam Insulation in New Orleans, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Metairie, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Kenner, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Harahan, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in River Ridge, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Jefferson, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Gretna, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Terrytown, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Harvey, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Marrero, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Westwego, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Belle Chasse, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Chalmette, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Arabi, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Slidell, LA
- Spray Foam Insulation in Destrehan, LA
Get a Storm-Damaged Insulation Removal Estimate
Storm or leak damage? Tell us what happened and we will send a written plan.