Drywall Dust During an Existing Wall Insulation Process

Significance

• Chances are your home's interior is drywall, so installing new insulation might create a mess. Drywall dust isn't dangerous, but it is a hassle to clean. Drywall has the consistency of chalk, and its dust is just as difficult to remove. Typically, the most effective way to remove drywall dust is to vacuum thoroughly, and then wipe up the dust with a moist cloth. Often you'll have to clean the area several times as the moistened dust tends to dry in unsightly streaks, especially on dark materials and surfaces. For large projects, cleanup can take a long time. If you must create a lot of drywall dust, use drop clothes hanging from ceilings and across entryways to keep dust within the project area.

Whole Insulation

• Some types of installation come in large boards, blocks or other whole sections that you insert into the wall cavities. Blanket insulation, for example, comes in large rolls or batts. To install it, you must tear out the drywall completely so you can access every area within the wall. If you fail to insulate even a small area, you compromise the integrity of the installation.

Blown-in Insulation

• Blown-in, or loose-fill, insulation comes in particle form. To install it, you use a special machine to pump it into the wall, which means you won't have to rip out entire sections of drywall. Instead, a small hole will do. You can install this form of insulation yourself, but professional insulation contractors might have blowing machines that are more powerful than the types you can rent. Also, their expert knowledge might enable them to minimize the number of holes they make, which will help keep the mess down.

Considerations

• If you tear out a significant amount of drywall, you'll create a lot of dust. The installation of new drywall after you finish insulating will create more dust. Finally, the finishing process necessary for preparing the drywall for paint will create dust as well. Clearly, blown-in insulation will be less messy, but it also might be more expensive. To determine which type of insulation is best for your home, balance the prices of the insulation materials -- which vary widely depending on brand, type and insulating quality -- against the time and labor their respective installation processes will require, including post-installation cleanup. If you're still not sure, consult an insulation contractor for advice.