Attic services
Attic cleaning
Removal of rodent droppings, nesting, old debris and soiled insulation, hauled out in sealed bags.
Learn more →Attic cleaning & reconditioning · Puget Sound
One project. A fully restored attic.
We clean out the old insulation, sanitize the framing, seal the gaps rodents and warm air use, then re-insulate. One crew, one schedule, one attic that works again.
- Clean, sanitize, seal and re-insulate
- One crew from removal to new insulation
- PSE rebate paperwork handled with you
Reconditioning an attic: sealing, baffles and new insulation · Seattle, WAThe problem
When cleaning alone is not enough
A cleanout fixes what you can see. It does not fix why the attic got that way. If rats got in through a gap at the eave, they will find it again. If warm air leaks up around ceiling lights, the new insulation will be dirty and damp in a few winters. And an attic stripped to the drywall is not finished until insulation goes back in. Doing these jobs separately means three visits, three crews and gaps between them.
Reconditioning puts the whole restore into one project. We remove the contaminated insulation and debris, sanitize the framing and deck, seal rodent entry points and air leaks while the attic is empty, and blow or lay in new insulation to the depth you choose. It is the job most people end up needing after a long rodent problem or before selling an older home. We plan it with you after a free inspection.
Warning signs
Signs you need the full restore
Reconditioning makes sense when more than one thing is wrong in the attic at the same time.
- SIGN 01
Rodents lived up there for months
Droppings and urine are spread across most of the attic, not one corner, and the insulation is soiled throughout.
- SIGN 02
Insulation is thin and old
You can see the tops of the joists, or the insulation is gray, compressed and well below what a modern attic carries.
- SIGN 03
Upstairs rooms are hard to heat
Bedrooms under the attic stay cold in winter and hot in summer, even with the heat or heat pump running.
- SIGN 04
Entry points are still open
Gaps at the soffits, roof vents or around pipes were never sealed after the last rodent problem.
- SIGN 05
Frost or stains on the roof deck
Dark streaks on the sheathing or frost on nail tips in winter point to warm, moist air leaking up from the house.
- SIGN 06
You are selling or just bought
An inspection report flagged the attic and you want it handled in one project with one set of photos.
Proof of work
See the difference
Drag the slider to compare. Illustrations of typical results on homes like yours.
BeforeAfterThe job, step by step Renton, WA
STEP 01
STEP 02
STEP 03
STEP 04How we do it
How a reconditioning project runs
Each stage sets up the next one. The order matters, which is why we do it as one job.
- 01
Inspect, photograph, plan
We go through the attic and the outside of the house, photograph the contamination, entry points and air leaks, and measure the attic. You get one written scope that covers removal, sanitizing, sealing and the new insulation, with the insulation type and depth spelled out.
- 02
Remove and clean out
With the house protected, the crew vacuums out the old insulation, droppings, nesting and debris, then hand-picks what is left. The attic goes down to clean drywall and joists, which is the only way to see and reach every gap in the ceiling below.
- 03
Sanitize the framing
We apply a disinfectant and deodorizer to the joists, top plates and roof deck where rodents traveled and nested. We tell you which product we use and where it goes. This step takes care of the residue that vacuuming alone leaves on the wood.
- 04
Seal entries and air leaks
Outside, we close rodent entry points with materials they cannot chew through. Inside, we seal the top plates, wire and pipe holes, can light housings, bath fan boxes and chases. With the attic empty, this is the easiest it will ever be to reach.
- 05
Re-insulate and document
We install new insulation to the depth agreed in the scope, keep it clear of soffit vents with baffles, and insulate and weatherstrip the hatch. You get after photos of the finished attic and help with any PSE rebate paperwork you qualify for.
What you get
What reconditioning covers
| Cleanout | Old insulation, droppings, nesting, dead rodents and debris removed |
|---|---|
| Sanitizing | Disinfectant and deodorizer on framing and deck; product named for you |
| Rodent exclusion | Entry points at soffits, vents, pipes and gaps sealed from outside |
| Air sealing | Top plates, penetrations, can lights, bath fans and chases sealed |
| Ventilation | Baffles at the eaves so new insulation does not block soffit vents |
| New insulation | Blown-in fiberglass, cellulose, batts or rockwool; Knauf and CertainTeed |
| Insulation depth | Chosen with you; Washington's new-home attic target is R-49 to R-60 |
| Rebates and photos | PSE rebate check and paperwork; before and after photos |
Diagram
- 1Inspect
- 2Remove
- 3Sanitize
- 4Seal
- 5Insulate
Compare
Cleaning only or full reconditioning
Both start with the same cleanout. The difference is what happens after the attic is empty.
| Factor | Attic cleaning | Full reconditioning |
|---|---|---|
| Contamination removed | Yes | Yes |
| Framing sanitized | Not included | Disinfected and deodorized |
| Rodent entries sealed | Quoted separately | Included in the scope |
| Air leaks sealed | Quoted separately | Sealed while the attic is empty |
| New insulation | Quoted separately | Installed to the depth you choose |
| Best for | A spot problem in a sealed, well-insulated attic | Long-term rodent activity, old insulation, a home sale |
Puget Sound homes
Built for Puget Sound homes
Many houses around Seattle were insulated once, decades ago, and never touched again. Older homes in Seattle, Tacoma and Everett often have a few inches of settled insulation over plaster ceilings full of gaps. Eastside homes in Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland and Sammamish from the 1970s through the 1990s often have recessed lights, dropped soffits over the kitchen and bath fans that were never sealed. Add a few years of roof rats, and the attic is dirty, leaky and underinsulated all at once.
The climate makes the order of work important. Our heating season is long, and the region is wet from October to May. Warm, moist air that leaks into a cold attic condenses on the underside of the roof deck and soaks into the insulation. Sealing before insulating keeps the new insulation dry and working for years instead of a few winters. Many PSE customers can get help from PSE insulation programs; we check what you qualify for and handle the paperwork with you.
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Pricing
What shapes the price
We quote reconditioning as one scope after the inspection, with each stage listed so you can see where the cost goes.
- FACTOR 01
Attic size and access
Square footage, roof pitch and where the hatch is all affect how long removal and re-insulation take.
- FACTOR 02
How much comes out
Deep, heavily soiled insulation takes longer to remove than a thin, spot-damaged layer.
- FACTOR 03
Number of entries and leaks
A house with many gaps at the eaves, vents and ceiling takes more sealing time and material.
- FACTOR 04
Insulation type and depth
Blown-in, batts, cellulose and rockwool cost different amounts, and deeper insulation uses more material.
- FACTOR 05
Rebates you qualify for
PSE programs can offset part of the insulation work for eligible homes. We check what applies to yours.
Daniel was thorough, professional, and quick to respond to all my questions. He crawled into a hard to reach places in my attic to make sure all my needs were met. I appreciate how quickly the Super Attic team completed the job and now my attic, crawl space and garage look infinitely better.
FAQ
Attic cleaning and reconditioning: questions we hear
Still unsure? Call (800) 674-4933 and talk it through with us.
What is the difference between attic cleaning and attic reconditioning?
Attic cleaning removes droppings, debris and soiled insulation. Reconditioning includes that cleanout, then sanitizes the framing, seals rodent entry points and air leaks, and installs new insulation. Cleaning is right for a contained problem in an otherwise good attic. Reconditioning is for an attic that is dirty, leaky and underinsulated at the same time.
How long does attic reconditioning take?
It depends on the size of the attic and how much has to come out, but most single-family homes take a few working days from cleanout to new insulation. We give you the schedule with the scope. Because one crew handles every stage, there is no waiting between trades.
Can I stay in my home during the project?
Yes, in most cases. The work happens in the attic and outside the house. We protect the path to the hatch, mask the opening and keep vacuum bags outside. Expect some noise overhead during removal and insulation. We will tell you if anything in the scope means you should plan to be out for a day.
What insulation do you put back in?
We install blown-in fiberglass, cellulose, fiberglass batts and rolls, and rockwool, including Knauf EcoBatt and CertainTeed products. Blown-in is the common choice for an open attic because it fills around wires and framing. We talk through the options and the depth you want, and write both into the scope.
Can PSE rebates help pay for reconditioning?
Possibly, for the insulation and air sealing parts of the work. Puget Sound Energy sets the eligibility rules and rebate amounts, and they change. If you are a PSE customer, we check what you qualify for when we write the scope and handle the paperwork with you.
Will the attic still smell after reconditioning?
It should not. Most attic odor comes from urine-soaked insulation and residue on the wood. Removal takes out the insulation, sanitizing and deodorizing treat the framing, and sealing keeps new animals out. If an odor lingers in a specific spot, tell us and we will come back to look at it.
Related services
Often done together
Attic services
Attic decontamination
Biohazard cleanup after rodents and animals: waste removed, framing disinfected, odor treated at the source.
Learn more →
Attic services
Air sealing
Sealing top plates, can lights, bath fans and chases from the attic side before new insulation goes in.
Learn more →
Insulation
Attic insulation installation
The install itself: air sealing, eave baffles, flue clearances and an even layer to the planned depth.
Learn more →Let's see what's going on up there.
Book a free inspection. We'll photograph your attic and crawl space and walk you through what we find, before you decide anything.