It’s wild how those little fiberglass bits seem to show up in the weirdest places, isn’t it? I totally get what you mean about the prep and cleanup being the real time sinks. Sometimes I wonder if people focus so much on “containment” that they forget about flow—like, how are you actually going to move around and get things done without tripping over all that plastic? I’ve seen projects where the prep looked like a scene from a sci-fi movie, but then it took twice as long just to get started.
Have you ever tried using painter’s tape for quick seals instead of full-on sheeting? I’ve found it helps keep things flexible, especially if you need to pop in and out of different rooms. And honestly, a good vacuum with a HEPA filter is my best friend during these jobs. Do you find certain areas of the house are always worse for leftover mess? For me, it’s always the corners behind built-ins... no matter how careful I am, there’s always something lurking back there.
Corners behind built-ins are the worst—totally agree. I’ve actually started using a leaf blower (on low) to flush out those hidden bits before vacuuming, but it’s a bit of a gamble depending on the space. Have you ever tried that, or do you stick with just vacuuming? Also, do you think certain types of insulation are messier than others? I swear blown-in cellulose is a different beast compared to fiberglass batts...
I’ve actually started using a leaf blower (on low) to flush out those hidden bits before vacuuming, but it’s a bit of a gamble depending on the space.
That’s a creative idea—I’ve never tried the leaf blower trick, mostly because I’m worried I’d just end up with dust everywhere. Do you find it actually saves time, or does cleanup get worse? And yeah, blown-in cellulose is way messier in my experience. Fiberglass batts are itchy, but at least they don’t drift into every nook and cranny...
Do you find it actually saves time, or does cleanup get worse?
Tried the leaf blower once in my attic—never again. It just blasted ancient dust into every crack and crevice, and I spent more time chasing it down afterward. Honestly, with these old houses, sometimes the “quick fix” just adds hours. Give me batts any day, itchiness and all.
Tried the leaf blower once in my attic—never again. It just blasted ancient dust into every crack and crevice, and I spent more time chasing it down afterward.
Yeah, I hear you on that. I tried the “blow it out and vacuum later” trick in a crawlspace once, thinking it’d be faster than dragging out all the old insulation by hand. Ended up with a fine layer of grime over everything—including myself. Took longer to clean up than if I’d just done it the slow way.
Honestly, with these older houses, shortcuts usually backfire. Batts are a pain—fiberglass rash is no joke—but at least you know what you’re dealing with. Plus, you can see where you’ve been and spot any weird wiring or leaks while you’re at it. Blown-in might sound quick, but unless your space is spotless to start with, it’s just asking for trouble.
I’ll take itchy arms over hours of cleanup any day. Sometimes “old school” really is best.