Spray foam insulation
Foam sprayed onto rooflines, rim joists and awkward framing, where it seals air and insulates in one pass. It costs more than loose fill, so I recommend it mainly when ducts run through the attic.
Insulation Contractor in Whittier, CA - Careful Attic Work for Older Homes
B&J Pico Rivera Insulation Company insulates homes in Whittier, CA. We clean out worn attic insulation, seal the gaps that let drafts in, and add fresh insulation to attics, walls and crawl spaces so the house holds its temperature.
Insulating older houses in Whittier
A lot of the houses I get called to in Whittier are older, and their attics show it. We usually find a few inches of insulation that's packed down, dirty or full of droppings, open gaps around recessed lights, pipes and the attic hatch, and sometimes the vents along the roof edge buried so the attic can't breathe. Fresh insulation over all that just hides it, so the first job is finding out what's really up there.
The price mostly comes down to how much old material has to come out, how many gaps need sealing, how much attic there is to cover and whether you choose foam or loose fill. The schedule turns on what I find, because a roof leak or tired wiring has to be fixed before we insulate over it. That's why I look before I write anything, and your estimate is what gives you your own figure.
Next door, South Whittier-Sunshine Acres and West Whittier-Los Nietos are unincorporated county areas outside any city, so permits there come from LA County Public Works instead of Whittier. We work both kinds of address from our base in Pico Rivera, out to East Los Angeles and beyond.
Clean work in lived-in homes
I spent years working in houses where people were living, so our installers cover the path to the attic, bag old material up there and clean up before they leave.
Leaks and wiring come first
If I find a roof leak or old wiring that needs attention, I'll tell you to fix it before we insulate, because new material buried over a problem only hides it.
Edges as deep as the middle
Our installers keep the roof-edge vents open and carry full depth out to the walls, since blocked vents and thin edges are where attic jobs usually go wrong.
Insulation work we do in Whittier
Attic insulation
Most Whittier calls start here, with hot upstairs rooms or a high power bill. We clear what's failing, seal the gaps around fixtures and the hatch, then bring the depth up evenly.
Blown-in insulation
Loose fill blown through a hose, which settles into corners and around framing that batts leave open. On older attics it's usually the most practical way to top up what's already there.
Home insulation
A whole-house look at where your heated and cooled air escapes, from the attic down to the crawl space. It suits drafty older houses where fixing one room won't solve the problem.
Insulation removal
Vacuuming out insulation that's been soaked, flattened or filled with droppings, so the new material starts clean. We bag it in the attic and carry it out, because you're usually living in the house while we work.
Crawl space insulation
Insulation under the floor for cold floors, held tight to the subfloor so it doesn't sag. I check for moisture and plumbing leaks first, since wet insulation down there does more harm than good.
Wall insulation
Insulation added to exterior walls, often blown into closed cavities through small holes in older houses. Before we start I check what's in those walls, because old wiring there changes the plan.
Air sealing services
Closing the gaps where outside air sneaks in, around pipes, wires, recessed lights and the attic hatch. It's often the best first step for a drafty house and should come before any new insulation.
Basement insulation
Insulation for the basements and below-grade rooms we do find, on the walls and rim joists where cold and damp get in. We look at moisture first, because insulating a damp wall traps the problem.
Closed-cell foam insulation
Dense foam that also blocks moisture, a good fit for rim joists, crawl space walls and spots that see damp. It costs more than other options, so we use it where that moisture resistance actually matters.
Open-cell foam insulation
A softer, lighter foam that fills cavities and seals air, used most often on rooflines and interior walls. It doesn't stop moisture the way closed-cell does, so I match it to dry spots.
Commercial insulation
Insulation for offices, shops and rental buildings, including units property managers want ready between tenants. We plan the work around the people using the building so it stays usable while we're there.
Crawl space vapor barrier
A heavy plastic sheet laid over the dirt under your house to keep ground moisture out of the floor framing. We seal the seams and lap it up the walls so it stays put.
Vapor barrier installation
A layer that slows moisture moving through walls, floors or ceilings, placed on the side the moisture comes from. Getting the side wrong can trap water, so I explain why it goes where it does.
Attic air sealing
Sealing the openings in the attic floor around recessed lights, plumbing stacks, wire holes and the hatch before any insulation goes down. Skip it and the new insulation spends its life fighting a draft.
Retrofit insulation
Adding or upgrading insulation in a finished house, working through the attic, crawl space or small wall openings. It's how most older Whittier homes get insulated without opening up the rooms.
Ask for a free insulation estimate in Whittier
Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day to set a time. I come out, look at the house and give you a written estimate with photos of what I found, free and with no obligation.
I'm the one who comes out
I look at the job myself and write the estimate, so the person explaining your attic to you is the same person who planned the work.
I check the finished job with you
Our installers do the work, and I go over it with you before we call it done, so you see exactly what went into your house.
Licensed, insured and guaranteed
We're fully licensed and insured. Satisfaction guaranteed. Ask me about any of it while I'm out there, because you should know who's working in your house.
Insulation questions we hear in Whittier
These are the questions Whittier homeowners usually ask before they let anyone into their attic, crawl space or walls.
Do I need a permit to add insulation to my house in Whittier?
Your job may need one, and we find out before work starts. The city requires permits to alter, repair or improve a building, and its Building & Safety Division sends inspectors out as needed to check the work. We check with the office that covers your address, and if your job calls for a permit, we handle the paperwork and inspections.
When does an insulation contractor need a California license?
The state licensing board requires a license when the project needs a building permit, uses any additional workers, or totals $1,000 or more in labor and materials across its contracts. Whittier also requires a city business license from anyone doing business in the city, even from outside it, and checks the state license number on that application. It's fair to ask any contractor for both.
Is spray foam or blown-in insulation better for an older Whittier attic?
For most older attics, sealing the gaps and topping up with blown-in loose fill is the better buy. Foam costs more because it seals air while it insulates, and that mostly earns its price when your ductwork runs through the attic. I'll tell you which one fits once I've seen what's up there.
Can new insulation go right over the old insulation in my attic?
Often it can, if the old material is dry, clean and just thin. If it's been soaked by a roof leak or is full of droppings, we take it out first, because new insulation on top keeps the problem in your house. Either way, gaps around lights, pipes and the hatch get sealed before anything new goes down.
Cities we serve for insulation work
These cities have their own pages here, but we work in others around Pico Rivera too. Call or send the form with your address and we'll tell you if we cover it.
Have someone look at your attic
We answer every day from 7 AM to 11 PM, so call (562) 271-1051 or use the form whenever it suits you.