Insulation Jobsite Efficiency: Proper Vacuuming Techniques
Technique is very important when it comes to vacuuming an attic. Whether you have a smaller vacuum or a larger diesel, these techniques are very important to master.
First, Let’s Consider the Wrong Techniques:
When vacuuming insulation, some techniques are wrong and will waste considerable amount of time on the job:
- Chicken Pecking: This extractor dips the hose into the pile, lifts it out again and dips it in, much like a chicken pecking the grain off the ground. This bad habit allows too much air-time.
- Scattered Approach: The extractor gets bored or distracted and jumps from one part of the attic to another. This leads to too much air-time.
- Pulling Out: The extractor sticks the hose into the material, pulls it out and waits too long. This habit may be developed because the extractor is used to using a weak vacuum that required the material to flow through the vacuum due to loss of air strength.
- Sticking to the Ceiling: The extractor sets the hose down on the ceiling and the suction makes it difficult to pull the hose back off. This can be avoided by notching the end of your hose.
Second, Let’s Consider the Correct Technique
Correct technique involves keeping the hose in the material as much as possible. The more material-time you have, the faster the job is finished.
Here are some things to consider regarding the correct technique.
- Before vacuuming, think through a plan around the attic. Take baby steps. Go to the furthest corner and work your way out toward the attic access.
- Find positions that allow you to minimize your movements. Straddling between two runs is a good way to cut your movements in half. If you use a platform (old snow board or any board that spans two 24″ wide runs), this will help you reduce movements and be as comfortable as possible.
- Be Aggressive. Unlike blowing, you are not waiting on the machine. The vacuum only works as well as the extractor. This is a hard, nasty job. Think of this as arm-leg-core day.
- Rotate People. Attics are hot environments. Extracting can take hours. Be very mindful that you rotate workers in and out of the attic, providing plenty of fluids and fruits.
- Sometimes, have a clean-up person go ahead of the person vacuuming. The worst jobs are those that have a ton of garbage. Old shake shingles, dropped into the attic space by roofers, make for very difficult jobs and will take 2-3 times longer than normal. Have a person dig through the loose fill, removing the shake and other debris so the extractor can work not the loose fill.
Lastly, Consider Tools That Help
- Your arms are the best tools. Often, pulling material to the hose helps you get more into the hose faster. You are able to also grab garbage, so that it doesn’t plug up your hose.
- Use a Small rake or three tined cultivator to break up the hardened/solidified cellulose and mineral wool.
- Crawling into the deep soffits may not be necessary. Save time by duct taking a handle to the end of the vacuum hose.