Cleaning loft/loft insulation

Irish_Tom · 20 Dec 2022 at 11:04

We’ve finally explored the loft space in our new place and there’s good storage space to be had up there.

Unfortunately, at some point, they’ve had a rodent problem and there are lots of droppings and chewed-up bits of “stuff” everywhere.

It’s unboarded, so all of the mess is on top of the insulation.

Anyone got any tips for cleaning it?

I thought a vacuum on a low setting might work without sucking up half the insulation but thought it was worth asking here first.

Hopefully it’s not a write-off and I don’t have to replace all the insulation.

R.O.S.S.I · 20 Dec 2022 at 11:37

Vacuum should work, probs just have to give the filter a good clean out afterwards too.

Werewolf · 20 Dec 2022 at 16:54

If there have been rodents up there you probably want to use disposable coveralls, mask and gloves (all good anyway with loft insulation, and the mask is a must).
If you've got a Henry or access to a shop vac that might be better for rough vacuuming than a household one.

Bazzards · 20 Dec 2022 at 16:58

When I cleared out my loft i bagged up and removed the the majority of the old insulation. Then used a Henry on the remainder.

Irish_Tom · 20 Dec 2022 at 17:30

Thanks all.

And good shout on the PPE, @Werewolf. I’ll be sure to take precautions.

We’ve got a spare vacuum that we’ve used for house renovations etc, so I’m not too worried about that side of things.

I’ll let you know how I get on.

danlightbulb · 21 Dec 2022 at 10:31

Depending on how bad it is I would consider removing all the old insulation. You'll never remove millions of tiny little poos from the insulation and there is probably urine contamination as well up there plus what about dead rodents?

Get rid of it, timbers to raise the height, new insulation and board over.

Irish_Tom · 21 Dec 2022 at 10:42

danlightbulb said:
Depending on how bad it is I would consider removing all the old insulation. You'll never remove millions of tiny little poos from the insulation and there is probably urine contamination as well up there plus what about dead rodents?

Get rid of it, timbers to raise the height, new insulation and board over.

Yeah, I know this is probably the proper answer, but we’ve got so much other stuff that needs doing, it’s nowhere near the top of the priority list.

We just wanted to chuck a few bits up there to get them out of the way while we focus on other areas. Replacing the insulation and boarding it all properly really escalates things.

Semple · 21 Dec 2022 at 10:43

danlightbulb said:
Depending on how bad it is I would consider removing all the old insulation. You'll never remove millions of tiny little poos from the insulation and there is probably urine contamination as well up there plus what about dead rodents?

Get rid of it, timbers to raise the height, new insulation and board over.

This. If they've been up there a while there will be millions of them - no exaggeration!

We had one that kept getting into the shed, and it was absolutely everywhere. God knows how much they must eat to **** that often.

LuckyBenski · 22 Dec 2022 at 01:54

I had to take down a plywood board from the ceiling of my porch cupboard last week. 2 foot by 1 foot cupboard, single sheet of ply banged into the top 50 years ago. Drilled 2 holes, cut down the middle with a multi tool, crow bar overhead and yanked... BANG! Split the board and got showered with a mountain of pellets. Luckily I was able to laugh it off

Reuben klang · 22 Dec 2022 at 07:07

danlightbulb said:
Depending on how bad it is I would consider removing all the old insulation. You'll never remove millions of tiny little poos from the insulation and there is probably urine contamination as well up there plus what about dead rodents?

Get rid of it, timbers to raise the height, new insulation and board over.

Would absolutely do this.