Re-use blown in insulation?

[JT-3]

Recently drywalled a 2 car garage and we pulled down the 50 year old ceiling.

All of the blown-in insulation came down with it, and it was carefully placed in large trash bags. It's white and fluffy and was put up there in 1997.

I can either carry the bags into the garage attic and attempt to redistribute, using a rake or something. I'd rather not mess with a rental blower. Or, call a pro and for $500 they will blow in new R38.

Thoughts? Thanks for reading.

 

[JCByrd24]

Definitely re-use it. If you don't want to do it yourself have the pro do it when they blow. The blowers are easy to use and usually you get free if you buy a $200 or so worth of insulation. So you could get out of it all for $200 if you DIY.

 

[fteufert]

I would reuse it. As it settles, keep adding more.

Why waste it?

 

[finn]

Only if you can keep it dry. Trust me on this one.

Also, cheap trash bags will rip and let water in.

In my case, I would have been better off disposing of the almost new cellulose with the rest of the construction debris than dealing with the heave, soggy mess later.

 

[TractorJeff]

ON the DIY shows, they vacuum it out first, then save it for re-use.

 

[JT-3]

Thanks guys - the one pro I called preferred not to reuse old insulation due to drywall debris, rodent dust, etc. I did keep the bags dry and they are taking up half the garage.

Still on the fence, don't want to mess with a rental blower and getting someone to help.