Icynene Insulation Removal & Replacement in Burbank: What to Know First
We provide independent Icynene insulation removal and replacement in Burbank, with most jobs completed in one to two days depending on contamination level and attic access. Typical removal and replacement for a 1,200-square-foot Burbank attic runs between $3,800 and $6,400, and we deliver a written price before any work starts - no exceptions. This page is for homeowners who have Icynene open-cell or closed-cell spray foam in their attic or walls and need it removed due to failure, rodent damage, water intrusion, or a failed roof that saturated the foam. Call (213) 816-1699 for a free estimate with documented photo record included.
How Icynene Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Icynene Classic Max (open-cell) - moisture retention in Burbank’s marine layer cycles. This 0.5 lb/ft³ foam pulls vapor from our cool, humid mornings and traps it against roof sheathing. In Magnolia Park ranch homes with original venting, we’ve found saturated Classic Max turning gray and shrinking away from rafters within 8-12 years. We remove it with cold-knife cutting and HEPA vacuum extraction, then seal the deck with closed-cell replacement or a hybrid system depending on your roof assembly.
- Icynene MD-R-200 (closed-cell) - thermal drift from UV exposure during re-roof gaps. MD-R-200’s 2.0 lb/ft³ density gives excellent R-value per inch, but if a roofing crew left it exposed to Burbank sun for even a week during a tear-off, the surface degrades and R-value drops 15-30%. We map the damaged zones with thermal imaging, remove only the compromised sections rather than the full cavity, and reinstall matching-density foam so you don’t pay for complete gutting when partial removal works.
- Icynene LD-C-50 (low-density open-cell) - rodent nesting and waste contamination. The soft, friable structure of LD-C-50 makes it ideal for rats and squirrels to tunnel through. We’ve pulled out entire colonies from Burbank attics where the foam was more nest than insulation. Removal requires full extraction down to substrate, enzymatic treatment of biological waste, and air-sealing every penetration before new material goes in - otherwise the rodents return to the same scent trails.
- Icynene Water-blown closed-cell - delamination from plywood off-gassing. Early water-blown formulations in Burbank’s 2005-2012 construction boom sometimes separated from OSB roof sheathing as the wood released residual formaldehyde. You see it as a visible gap or feel it as a hollow knock. We remove the delaminated sections, apply a compatible primer, and reinstall - or switch to a different blowing-agent system if the substrate chemistry suggests recurrence.
- Icynene H2Foam Lite - compression damage from storage loads. Homeowners in Burbank’s smaller vintage homes often use attic space for storage. H2Foam Lite’s open-cell structure compresses permanently under box weight, creating cold spots that show up clearly on our pre-job thermal scans. We remove the compressed areas, install a proper load-bearing platform over new closed-cell or dense-pack cellulose, and document the assembly so future owners know what’s structural and what’s thermal.
Our Icynene Insulation Removal & Replacement Process
- 1
Call and scheduling. A live person answers 24/7. We book a site visit, usually within 48 hours in Burbank.
- 2
Diagnostics with documentation. We inspect the Icynene installation, run a blower-door test if air leakage is suspected, and shoot thermal images. You get the photos and readings before we quote.
- 3
Written price with scope. We specify removal method, disposal route, replacement material, and whether we’re using OEM Icynene or a compatible alternative from our approved list - Owens Corning, Johns Manville, Knauf, Rockwool, CertainTeed, Demilec, or GreenFiber. No work starts without your signature on a written price.
- 4
Removal and substrate prep. HEPA-contained extraction for contaminated foam; cold-knife and vacuum for clean removal. We air-seal every top plate, can light, and penetration before any new insulation touches the space.
- 5
Replacement and verification. New material installed to specified depth. On applicable jobs, we run the blower-door test again and hand you the before-and-after numbers. The R-value is what the label says. The performance is what the blower-door test says. We care about the second number.
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Documented Photo Record and warranty. Complete photo set, written depth-and-coverage report, and 365-Day Done Right Promise documentation delivered before we leave.
Before
AfterWhat Icynene Insulation Removal & Replacement Costs in Burbank
| Scenario | Typical Range | What Moves the Price |
|---|---|---|
| Partial removal, localized failure (1-2 rafter bays) | $1,800 - $3,200 | Access difficulty, height of ceiling |
| Full attic removal, uncontaminated open-cell | $3,800 - $5,400 | Attic square footage, joist spacing, disposal fees |
| Full removal with rodent contamination | $5,200 - $8,600 | Biohazard level, extent of droppings, need for vapor barrier replacement |
| Closed-cell removal with reinstallation | $6,400 - $11,000 | Density required, thickness, thermal barrier coating if applicable |
| Wall cavity removal (interior access) | $4,500 - $7,800 | Number of cavities, drywall repair scope, insulation type replacement |
Prices include labor, disposal, basic air sealing of accessible penetrations, and our Documented Photo Record. What pushes you toward the high end: multiple HVAC penetrations to seal around, vermiculite or asbestos intermixed with the Icynene (requires abatement coordination), or a 1960s Burbank home with irregular framing that slows removal. We also service Reflectix radiant barrier systems if your attic has a hybrid assembly. Call (213) 816-1699 - estimates are free, and we offer a Free Second Opinion on any written estimate you’ve already received.
Why Burbank Homeowners Call Topside Attic Insulation Burbank for Icynene Work
We’ve been in Burbank attics since 2016, including the older ranch-style homes in Magnolia Park where thermal bypasses hide in 1960s rafter bays that newer crews miss. Wes Okafor and our technicians are background-checked, uniformed, and trained to sequence the job correctly: seal first, insulate second. Every Icynene removal we complete comes with the 365-Day Done Right Promise, before-and-after blower-door numbers where applicable, and a written scope you can reference if you sell the home. We source replacement materials from multiple manufacturers - no proprietary lock-in, no pressure to use a product that doesn’t fit your assembly. Calls are answered by a live person, 24/7.
FAQs
The original Icynene warranty applies to the installed product, not subsequent modifications by an independent service provider. As an independent Icynene service provider, we document the condition of the foam before removal and the replacement material specifications after installation, which protects your recourse if a defect in the original application contributed to the failure. Call (213) 816-1699 and we’ll review your original warranty paperwork with you at no charge.
We can source current Icynene formulations when the application calls for it, though we often recommend compatible alternatives from Demilec or Johns Manville that perform equivalently or better in Burbank’s specific climate. We explain the trade-off - density, vapor permeance, cost - and you choose. No proprietary lock-in.
Partial repair is cheaper when the failure is localized and the surrounding foam tests sound for adhesion and density. We use thermal imaging and core sampling to determine this on site. If more than 30% of the attic shows degradation, full replacement is usually more economical long-term because you’re not paying for multiple mobilizations. We’ll show you the numbers both ways - call (213) 816-1699 for an exact quote.
Most residential attic removals finish in one to two days. Contaminated jobs requiring biohazard treatment may run three days. We schedule within 48 hours of your call and give you a named technician with text alerts when they’re en route - Haven Standard: Arrive on schedule.
You don’t need to vacate for standard removal with standard PPE and ventilation protocols. For heavy biological contamination or jobs requiring aggressive solvent use, we may recommend you spend one night elsewhere. We tell you during the written price phase, not after we’ve started.
Written by Wes Okafor, Owner & Lead Insulation Technician, Topside Attic Insulation Burbank at Topside Attic Insulation Burbank, serving Burbank and nearby areas.