Insulation Jobsite Efficiency Series: Setting up on Vacuum Extraction
This blog post begins a series of posts that address efficiency on the job site whether you are blowing, vacuuming or wall spraying. Please follow us on our social media (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Linked In and Pinterest) as we will be posting content, every week (on Mondays).
This first post addresses saving time when doing a vacuum extraction. Vacuuming an attic is the longest process when insulating. It can take 3-4 times longer to extract than to blow back in. That is why mastering time efficiency on a vacuum extraction is a great place to begin.
SETTING UP a vacuum extraction requires a number of items. Running the hose/s to the attic, attaching the hoses and vacuum saver, running hoses to a trailer or bags. This can take time. As the leader of the crew, here are some ideas that will help save you time on set-up.
Divvy up and Assign Tasks for Every Worker
Before you arrive to a job-site, make sure that every worker knows exactly what they are responsible to do. Assign the various tasks to each crew member. Depending on the size of your crew, these may need to be doubled-up.
- Connect and pull hose/s into the attic
- Connect the output hose to the dump trailer bag or to the vacuum bag/s
For example, we were on-site with Attic Queen’s crew. It had been taking them an hour to an hour and a half just for setup. After assigning tasks to each person, that time dropped to 9 minutes! That is a substantial amount of time saved.
Why is Divvying Up and Assigning Tasks Important?
It is human nature for some people not to take initiative. As the lead of your crew, you will find people wandering around and being unproductive on the job site. Some of this may not be their fault. They may not know what to do or know what order things need happen. Some workers work harder to avoid working than doing the actual work.
When you assign tasks, it highlights time-waste.