Icynene Insulation Removal & Replacement in Glendale: What to Know First
We provide independent Icynene insulation removal and replacement in Glendale, typically completing most jobs same-day or next-day depending on attic access and contamination level. Most replacement projects in Glendale homes run between $2,800 and $6,400 for complete removal and reinstallation with proper air sealing, though partial removal of contaminated sections can run lower. We are an independent Icynene service provider, not affiliated with or authorized by Icynene, which means we source materials from Icynene, Demilec, and other manufacturers to match what your home actually needs rather than what a single brand wants to sell. This page is for Glendale homeowners who found Icynene spray foam in their attic or walls and need it removed due to failure, contamination, or a remodel. Call (213) 474-3828 for a free estimate with a written price before any work starts.
How Icynene Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Icynene Classic Max (open-cell, 3.5 lb density) - shrinkage and pull-away from rafters. In Glendale’s dry summer heat, Classic Max can contract 5-10% from original volume over 7-12 years, creating gaps at the foam-to-wood interface that let conditioned air bleed into the attic. We remove the degraded foam mechanically, seal the bypasses first, then reinstall with a closed-cell product or dense-pack cellulose depending on the roof deck configuration.
- Icynene MD-R-200 (medium-density closed-cell) - moisture trapping in older Glendale stucco homes. MD-R-200’s low permeance (1.0 per inch) works fine with modern rainscreen assemblies, but in 1950s-70s Glendale ranch homes with unvented stucco directly over tar paper, it can trap moisture against sheathing. We’ve found punky plywood in Verdugo Woodlands homes where MD-R-200 was applied to the underside of roof decks without a vapor management strategy. We remove the foam, assess sheathing integrity, and specify a vapor-open assembly if the building can’t handle closed-cell.
- Icynene LD-C-50 (light-density, 0.5 lb) - rodent nesting and contamination. LD-C-50’s open structure makes it attractive to roof rats, which are endemic in the hills above Glendale. Once urine and feces saturate the foam, removal is the only option; surface cleaning won’t reach the interior cells. We extract the contaminated foam with HEPA-contained vacuums, sanitize the substrate, and reinstall with a pest-resistant material - often Rockwool or a treated cellulose - after sealing every entry point we can find.
- Icynene H2Foam Lite (water-blown open-cell) - odor persistence after water intrusion. H2Foam Lite can retain musty odors for months after a roof leak because the water-blown chemistry creates a more reticulated cell structure than petroleum-blown alternatives. In Glendale’s occasional heavy winter rains, we’ve seen this in homes near the Chevy Chase Canyon drainage. Full removal is usually necessary; partial removal leaves the odor source in place. We document the removal with photos and provide pre- and post-installation blower-door numbers so you can verify the new assembly performs.
- Demilec Heatlok XT (Icynene’s high-temp closed-cell cousin) - thermal drift in unvented attics. Heatlok XT can lose 10-15% of its R-value over time if the attic temperature exceeds 140°F regularly, which happens in Glendale’s south-facing roofs with dark shingles and minimal overhang ventilation. We remove the drifted foam, improve ventilation or switch to a vented assembly, and reinstall with a product rated for the actual temperature range the attic sees. Our blower-door test before and after shows whether the new assembly actually tightened the envelope.
Our Icynene Insulation Removal & Replacement Process

- 1
Call and scope. A live person answers 24/7. We schedule a site visit, and under Haven Standard Clause 1, you get a written price with flat scope and warranty before anyone lifts a tool.
- 2
Blower-door test and attic inspection. We pressurize the house to measure CFM50 - how much air the envelope is losing - before touching anything. Wes Okafor’s crew has been running jobs across Glendale for years, and we find the bypasses first: top plates, can lights, chimney chases, duct boots. Seal the bypasses first. Insulation over air leaks is just expensive noise reduction.
- 3
Mechanical removal and substrate prep. We remove Icynene foam with specialized cutting tools and HEPA-contained vacuums, not garden-variety shop vacs that blow respirable particles through the house. Substrate gets inspected for moisture damage or pest activity; we photo-document everything.
- 4
Air sealing and material selection. We seal every penetration with fire-rated caulk and rigid foam, then specify replacement material based on your roof type, ventilation, and budget - Icynene, Demilec, Rockwool, or dense-pack cellulose. No proprietary lock-in.
- 5
Installation and verification. New insulation goes in. We run a second blower-door test and give you printed pre- and post-installation ACH50 numbers side by side. The Documented Photo Record goes to your inbox before we leave.
- 6
365-Day Done Right Promise. If it’s not done right, we make it right - backed by the written scope you already have in hand.
Before
AfterWhat Icynene Insulation Removal & Replacement Costs in Glendale
| Scenario | Typical Range | What Moves the Price |
|---|---|---|
| Partial removal, LD-C-50 contamination (one attic section) | $1,800 - $3,200 | Square footage, accessibility, hazmat disposal if rodent-borne |
| Full attic removal, Classic Max or H2Foam Lite, standard ranch | $2,800 - $4,600 | Deck height, sheathing repairs, ventilation modifications |
| Full removal + closed-cell replacement, MD-R-200 or Heatlok XT | $4,200 - $6,400 | Roof pitch, need for vapor retarder, whether rafter bays are fully filled |
| Wall cavity removal, balloon-frame construction (Verdugo Woodlands area) | $3,500 - $5,800 | Number of stories, interior vs exterior access, plaster repair |
These are real Glendale numbers, not national averages padded for your zip code. A 1,400 square foot ranch with good attic access and no sheathing damage sits at the lower end; a 2,800 square foot two-story with finished vaulted ceilings and MD-R-200 glued to every rafter bay sits at the upper. Call (213) 474-3828 for an exact quote - estimates are free, and we provide a Free Second Opinion on any written estimate you bring us.
Why Glendale Homeowners Call Topside Attic Insulation Glendale for Icynene Work

We’ve sealed and insulated over 9,000 homes since 2016, and the ones in Glendale have taught us something specific: the combination of older balloon-frame construction in neighborhoods like Verdugo Woodlands and newer spray-foam retrofits in the hills creates a narrow diagnostic window. You need techs who can read a blower-door graph and know whether that spike at 50 Pascals is a missing fireblock or a failed Icynene bond line.
We also service Reflectix and other brands, so when we recommend a replacement material, it’s because the building science supports it - not because it’s the only product we carry. Every job gets a named technician, a text when they’re on the way, and a Documented Photo Record you don’t have to ask for. The 365-Day Done Right Promise applies to all completed work, and a live person answers calls 24/7.
FAQs
Original Icynene installation warranties typically require work performed by authorized applicators, and as an independent service provider, we cannot extend or honor manufacturer warranties. However, our replacement work carries its own 365-Day Done Right Promise with a written scope and warranty delivered before work begins. Call (213) 474-3828 to review your specific situation - estimates are free.
Yes - R-value is a measured property, not a brand feature. We source materials from Owens Corning, Johns Manville, Knauf, Rockwool, CertainTeed, Icynene, Demilec, and GreenFiber, and we specify based on your roof assembly’s actual needs. A 2-inch layer of closed-cell Demilec Heatlok HFO at R-7 per inch matches or exceeds Icynene MD-R-200’s performance in most Glendale attic applications.
If the foam is contaminated with rodent waste, water-saturated, or emitting persistent odor, removal is necessary - surface treatment won’t reach the problem. If the issue is isolated shrinkage or pull-away in a small area, spot removal and reapplication may suffice. We make this call during the attic inspection and put the reasoning in writing before you decide. Call (213) 474-3828 to schedule - estimates are free.
Most jobs are completed same-day or next-day once scheduled. Contamination requiring hazmat disposal adds 24-48 hours for proper handling documentation. We don’t manufacture urgency, and we don’t leave you in a callback queue - a live person answers 24/7.
Spot repair is cheaper when the failure is localized and the surrounding foam is sound - typically 30-50% less than full removal. Full replacement is the better investment when contamination, widespread thermal drift, or moisture damage is present, because partial fixes leave the underlying problem in place. We show you both options with written prices for each so you can decide on documented evidence, not a sales pitch.
Written by Wes Okafor, Owner, Topside Attic Insulation Glendale at Topside Attic Insulation Glendale, serving Glendale and nearby areas.