Blown-In Insulation for Existing Walls in Des Moines
Abraham LaMark dense-packs the existing walls of Des Moines homes from the outside, or from inside when the outside won't work, and patches every hole with a filler that won't shrink or crack.
- Roughly 7 in 10 Des Moines homes predate 1980
- Fewer than 1 in 10 were built in 2010 or later
Free estimate in Des Moines
- About a 10 to 15 minute visit
- Your bid, usually within 24 hours
- Abraham calls or texts back within one business day.
Estimates are free within a half-hour drive of Des Moines.
- Owner on site for every job
- Same crew for 16 years, no subcontractors
- Over 2,000 homes since 2008
- Insured up to $2 million
Existing walls filled in one to three days
A wall job takes one to three days. Abraham dense-packs the wall cavities from the outside of the house and works from the inside only when the outside won't work. It doesn't matter how old the house is, and walls that already have fiberglass batts in them can still be improved.
Free estimate in Des Moines
- About a 10 to 15 minute visit
- Your bid, usually within 24 hours
- Abraham calls or texts back within one business day.
Estimates are free within a half-hour drive of Des Moines.
Seven in ten Des Moines homes were built before 1980
| Built | Share of Des Moines homes |
|---|---|
| 1939 or earlier | About a quarter |
| Before 1960 | About half |
| Before 1980 | Roughly 7 in 10 |
| 2010 or later | Fewer than 1 in 10 |
Dense-packing from outside the house, or from inside if it has to be
- 1
Pick the route in
Abraham looks at the house and decides whether the walls can be filled from the outside. That's the first choice.
- 2
Dense-pack each wall cavity
Insulation is blown in tight, so each cavity is packed full rather than loosely filled.
- 3
Patch the holes
The holes get a filler that won't shrink or crack, so they stay closed.
Fiberglass batts already in the walls? They can still be improved
Some Des Moines walls are empty. Others got fiberglass batts at some point. Abraham can improve both, and the method works on houses of any age, which counts for a lot in a city of about 212,000 people where about half the homes went up before 1960. Fewer than 1 in 10 Des Moines homes were built in 2010 or later, so most of the walls in this city were framed and closed up decades ago.
Whether your house dates to the streetcar years, when the Sixth and Euclid district in Highland Park and Oak Park was growing up around 1915 to 1925, or to the 1970s, the approach is the same: outside first, inside only if needed.
Abraham counts poor wall insulation among the three problems he sees most; the other two are thin attics and poor ventilation. Blown-in cellulose also goes into interior walls when the goal is quieter rooms rather than warmer ones.
Signs the walls of your Des Moines house are thin
None of these proves the walls are empty, but each one is a good reason to have them checked:
- Outside walls that feel cold to the touch on a winter day.
- Rooms along the outside walls that never quite warm up in January or cool down in July.
- A wall that's been opened for a repair or remodel and turned out to be empty or only partly filled.
- Infrared images that show empty cavities. Abraham has an infrared camera for this, though it only gives a clear picture in very hot or very cold weather.
Find out if your Des Moines walls can be dense-packed
Estimates are free anywhere in Des Moines, from Beaverdale down to the Warren County edge of the city. Text or call (515) 868-5400, or use the form below.
Questions about insulating existing walls in Des Moines
Should you insulate the walls in an old Des Moines house?
If they're empty or poorly filled, yes. Poor sidewall insulation is one of the most common problems Abraham sees, and his wall method works on houses of any age.
How much does it cost to install blown-in insulation in existing walls?
It depends on the house, so Abraham prices each one after the estimate visit, which is free in Des Moines. A 30% deposit is due at signing, with the rest due once the walls are finished. Financing isn't offered.
My walls already have fiberglass batts. Is it too late to insulate them?
No. Walls that already have batts can still be improved with dense-packed insulation.
How long does it take to insulate the walls of a Des Moines house?
One to three days, depending on the house. You don't need to be home while the crew works.
Do I need a permit to insulate walls in Des Moines?
Abraham hasn't needed permits for insulation work in the towns he serves, Des Moines included.
Get a free estimate in Des Moines
Tell us about the house and what's bothering you. Abraham calls or texts back within one business day.
Estimates are free within a half-hour drive of Des Moines.
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