Demilec Insulation Removal in Houston: What to Know First
Demilec insulation removal in Houston typically runs $1,800 to $4,200 for a full attic, depending on square footage, the specific Demilec product installed, and how thoroughly it has bonded to the framing. We complete most Demilec removal jobs in one to two days, and every project starts with a written price before any tool comes off the truck. As an independent Demilec service provider, we are not affiliated with or authorized by the manufacturer, but we deal with their product lines almost weekly.
This page is for Houston homeowners who have Demilec spray foam or open-cell insulation in their attic or walls and need it taken out because of moisture problems, off-gassing concerns, remodeling, or storm damage. If you are not sure whether your insulation is actually Demilec, call (806) 581-1010 and we will help you identify it before you spend a dollar.
Key Takeaways
- We remove Demilec open-cell and closed-cell spray foam in Houston attics, walls, and crawl spaces.
- Written pricing before work begins means the number you approve is the number on the invoice.
- Every removal job is backed by the 365-Day Done Right Promise: if it is not right, we make it right at no charge for a full year.
- Most Demilec removals in Houston take one to two days with a two-person crew.
- Calls are answered by a live person, 24/7, not a voicemail.
How Demilec Products Fail – and How We Fix Them
Demilec makes solid spray foam products, but Houston’s humidity and heat expose weaknesses that homeowners in drier climates never see. Here are the failure modes we run into most often, and how we handle each one during removal.
- Open-cell foam holding moisture after a roof leak (Heatlok HFO and Sealection 500). Open-cell Demilec foam is a sponge when water gets past the roof deck. In Houston’s humid air, that moisture never dries. The foam sits damp against the rafters, and the first sign is usually a musty smell that comes and goes. We remove every trace of wet foam, dry the framing, and check the roof deck for rot before any new insulation goes in.
- Closed-cell foam delaminating from the sheathing (Heatlok HFO High Lift and Polar Foam). Closed-cell Demilec products bond aggressively, but when they do pull away it is often because the roof deck was dusty or damp at install. You will see gaps where the foam has separated from the plywood, and those gaps trap condensation. We cut out the delaminated sections and inspect what is behind them before recommending removal of the full assembly or just the affected zones.
- Off-gassing complaints from older Demilec batches. Some Houston homes have Demilec foam installed before 2015 that was mixed on-site by a contractor running the rig too hot. The result is a persistent chemical odor that worsens on hot afternoons. We remove that foam completely, because no amount of ventilation clears a badly mixed batch. This is one of the most common reasons homeowners call us for full Demilec removal rather than spot work.
- Overspray making future electrical and HVAC work miserable. Demilec closed-cell foam encases wiring and duct runs so completely that electricians and HVAC techs often refuse to work in the attic until the foam is cut back. We are called in to remove Demilec from specific chase ways and around electrical junction boxes so other trades can do their jobs safely and to code.
- Rodent-damaged foam with droppings and urine embedded in the material. Houston rats and squirrels will tunnel through Demilec foam, and once that happens the insulation is ruined. The droppings and urine inside the foam are a health issue, not a patch job. We remove the contaminated Demilec material, sanitize the area, and advise on exclusion work before new insulation goes back in.
Our Demilec Insulation Removal Process
Every Demilec job in Houston follows the same sequence, whether it is a full attic or a single wall cavity. Here is how it works.
- 1
Site inspection and identification. We confirm the product is actually Demilec, check the installation date if records exist, and measure the affected area. We also look for signs of moisture intrusion, rodent activity, or delamination that will change the removal approach.
- 2
Written price, no surprises. You get a line-item quote before any work starts. It covers removal, bagging, disposal, and cleanup. The number you approve is the number you pay.
- 3
Containment and protection. We seal off the work area with plastic sheeting and run a negative air machine when needed, so Demilec dust and particles do not travel through your Houston home. Floors, furniture, and HVAC returns are protected.
- 4
Mechanical removal. Demilec closed-cell foam does not scrape off like fiberglass. We use oscillating tools and saws to cut the foam free in sections. Open-cell foam typically comes out more easily but still requires careful hand work around wiring and plumbing.
- 5
Surface prep and inspection. We clean remaining foam residue from the framing, inspect for damage the Demilec was hiding, and photograph everything. If you are adding new insulation, we note the condition of air sealing and decking so the next install goes in clean.
- 6
Cleanup and the 365-Day Done Right Promise. We haul away every bag of removed foam, sweep and vacuum the work area, and leave your attic clean. The removal is covered by our written guarantee for 365 days. If anything is not right within that window, we return at no charge.
What Demilec Insulation Removal Costs in Houston
Every Demilec removal job is priced by the square footage of foam removed, how thick the application is, and how accessible the space is. Here are realistic ranges for the Houston market.
- Small wall cavity or chase way removal: $450 to $900. Typically a half-day job for one technician.
- Partial attic removal (300 to 600 square feet of Demilec foam): $1,200 to $2,400. This covers spot removal around roof leaks, delaminated sections, or contaminated areas.
- Full attic removal (1,000 to 2,000 square feet): $1,800 to $4,200. Most common scenario for off-gassing, moisture, or rodent-damaged Demilec foam in Houston.
- Whole-home removal including walls: $5,000 to $9,000. Rare, but we do handle it when remodeling or storm damage makes full removal necessary.
What moves the price: closed-cell Demilec costs more to remove than open-cell because it is denser and harder to cut free. Attics with low clearance, steep pitches, or limited access add labor time. If rodent contamination is present, sanitizing adds cost. Call (806) 581-1010 for an exact quote, estimates are free.
Why Houston Homeowners Call Alden Insulation Houston for Demilec Work
Removing spray foam is not like blowing out fiberglass. Demilec is stuck to your framing, and getting it off without damaging the structure takes patience, the right tools, and a crew that has done it in Houston attics during August heat. We are that crew.
Every Alden Insulation Houston technician is background-checked and arrives in uniform. We answer the phone with a live person, 24/7, so you are not leaving a voicemail and hoping. The written guarantee on every Demilec removal job is the 365-Day Done Right Promise: if the work fails within a year, we come back at no charge and make it right. No fine print, no prorated nonsense.
We are part of the Garrison Partners family, established 2002, and every location operates under The Garrison Standard: written prices, written guarantees, and a crew that shows up inside the window it promised. Bryce Holloway has been running crews in the Houston area for well over a decade, including jobs deep in Meyerland where slab homes and humid summers make a tight thermal envelope non-negotiable. Good insulation does not announce itself, you notice it on your utility bill. We install and remove products from Owens Corning, Johns Manville, Knauf, Rockwool, CertainTeed, Icynene, Demilec, and GreenFiber, so if your Demilec removal leads to a different insulation choice, we can handle that too. We also work with Reflectix radiant barrier products when a Houston attic needs heat reflection as well as insulation replacement.
FAQs
Demilec product warranties generally apply to the foam itself, not removal, but you should check your specific warranty documents before scheduling any removal work. The reality is that a removed product has no active warranty because it is no longer installed. If your Demilec foam has failed and needs removal, the warranty conversation usually ends there, most homeowners are hiring us because the product has already fallen outside what the warranty covers. Call (806) 581-1010 and we can walk you through what your documents actually say.
Yes, we typically remove Demilec foam and install replacement insulation within the same week, and often on consecutive days. The framing needs to be dry and clean before new insulation goes in, so we do not install replacement material over damp wood. In Houston’s dry fall months, your new insulation can often go in the same day as removal. For an exact timeline, call (806) 581-1010 and we will give you a straight answer.
Removing Demilec foam is almost always cheaper than reconstructing the attic framing, which is what happens when homeowners ignore failing spray foam and let rot set in. The removal cost ranges we listed above are a fraction of what new rafters, sheathing, and decking cost. If you suspect moisture behind your Demilec foam, the cheapest path is to remove and inspect now rather than wait. Free estimates are a phone call away.
We schedule most Demilec removal jobs within three to five business days, and we keep some capacity for urgent cases like active roof leaks or rodent contamination. Our phone is answered by a live person 24/7, so if you have water coming through a Demilec-insulated attic, call (806) 581-1010 and we will tell you honestly when we can be there.
We install and remove Demilec open-cell and closed-cell spray foam, along with products from seven other major brands including Owens Corning, Johns Manville, Knauf, Rockwool, CertainTeed, Icynene, and GreenFiber. That means we can handle your full project from removal through replacement without bringing in another contractor.
Written by Bryce Holloway, Owner, Alden Insulation Houston at Alden Insulation Houston, serving Houston and nearby areas.