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Whether you should remove old insulation before blowing in new insulation depends on your particular situation. Fiberglass insulation attracts insects and mold over time, so if it has been decades since your last insulation upgrade, consider removing the old materials before placing the new ones. However, most types resist mold, insects, and mildew, so once you get the go-ahead from your contractor that your space is free from all three, feel free to install the new insulation directly on top of the pre-existing materials.

The R-value is a rating that measures an insulation's thermal resistance—in other words, how well it insulates. A higher R-value provides more protection for your pipes, and all pipe insulation materials should have an R-value listed on the product description or label. Each insulation type has its own R-value, which typically falls between one and five for most pipe insulation. When making a selection, Energy.gov recommends choosing a pipe wrap that is at least one inch thick, and the International Code Council (ICC) suggests choosing a material with an R-value of at least 3.

If you have blown-in insulation, using an insulation vacuum will quickly and easily suck up all the insulation. Many come with built-in HEPA filters for added safety. While some people suggest breaking up large batts and feeding them into the vacuum, this can expose you to more fiberglass fibers. With batts and rolls, carefully removing them and placing them into garbage bags is a better process.

Insulating a stone house is an expensive and involved process because it requires building a double-walled house. The walls don’t need to be the same thickness, but they both need to be thick enough to handle any structural demands and meet fire and safety standards. The insulation (usually foam or fiberglass) is then installed between the two stone walls.