The use of specialized tools and equipment is required in a wide range of jobs. Insulation workers must also employ a variety of tools to do their work. This article on the tools of an insulation worker is well worth your time if you have a strong desire to master this industry in order to become an insulation worker. In this regard, this article will certainly be of great assistance to you. If you wish to work as an insulation worker, you should be familiar with the gear you will need. So, let us take a look at the tools of an insulation worker.
What do Insulation Workers do?
Before telling you about the tools of an insulation worker, it is necessary to know about what insulation workers do. What are the responsibilities of insulation workers? Insulation workers, often known as insulators, are primarily responsible for installing and replacing insulation materials in buildings and mechanical systems. Their job, however, is not confined to this. Although this appears to be a simple task, insulation workers must do a significant amount of labor.
Workers who operate in the insulation industry would have to start by removing and disposing of the old insulation. The insulation workers must next examine and comprehend the designs in order to determine how they should proceed with their work. They may then measure and cut the insulation to the correct size. Insulation workers, also known as insulators, must next attach the insulation with staples, tape, or screws. Using air compressors to spray foam insulation is also a challenge. Insulation workers may need to construct plastic barriers to protect the insulation from moisture at the end.
These are, in most cases, the duties that insulation workers must do. Of course, when it comes to a job like this, receiving the appropriate training and having the right set of talents is crucial. That is why it is critical to understand how to be an effective insulation worker. And of course, the right tools are also of immense importance. After reading this article, you will know all about the tools of an insulation worker.
The Income of Insulation Workers
Without a doubt, you are interested in learning how much insulation workers make on average. We shall look at data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Floor, ceiling, and wall insulation employees earned a median annual income of $41,690 in May 2020. Half of the employees were paid more, while the other half were paid less. The lowest 10% of earners took in less than $26,720, while the highest 10% took home more than $74,540. Mechanical insulation workers had a median yearly salary of $50,030. The lowest 10% of earners took in less than $32,830, while the highest 10% took home more than $91,120.
As you can see, this is an excellent wage that will allow you to live comfortably. Of course, with this amount of money, you can make a reasonable living. That is certain. So, you do not have to be concerned about the amount of money you can make in this job.
Working Conditions
Insulators primarily work on the inside of buildings. Mechanical insulators work both indoors and outside, and even at extreme temperatures. They spend the bulk of their workweek standing, bending, or kneeling in congested locations. Insulators may work at great heights on scaffolding, work platforms, or ladders.
Insulation installers frequently get accidents from ladder falls and knife cuts. Insulation materials include small particles that can irritate the eyes, skin, and lungs. Mechanical insulators can be burned when insulating pipes in service. To protect themselves, insulation workers must keep the workstation well ventilated and follow product and employer safety requirements. To defend against harmful gases or chemicals, personal protective equipment (PPE) like suits, masks, and respirators are necessary.
Most insulators are full-time employees, and achieving construction deadlines may need working more than 40 hours per week. Those who insulate outside may find it difficult to function in bad weather, such as during a storm or in extreme heat or cold. However, this is the working environment for insulation workers. It appears to be harsh, but as long as you follow the necessary safety precautions, you should be alright.
Tools of an Insulation Worker
Alright. Now, we are going to talk about the tools of an insulation worker. What tools do insulation workers need in the main? Here are the tools.
- Insulator knives
- Pipe calipers
- Caulk guns
- Banding tools
- Duct board tools
- Insulator trowels
- Insulator gloves
- Hard hats
- Safety harnesses
- Dust mask
In terms of the tools of an insulation worker, these are the tools that we can specifically mention here. Well, now let us take a look at each of them in detail.
1. Insulator knives
Choosing specialist knives over improvised alternatives is by far the greatest approach to assure decent end results, especially for a professional like an insulation worker. When it comes to cutting through insulation, most knives will likely be able to assist you. However, if you want rapid and efficient results as well as a straight cut, you will need a professional insulation knife, which is particularly there for such tasks.
Many insulation knives resemble survival knives, however, this is not a rule. They have a blade that is rather lengthy. Some have serrated blades, while others have straight blades. There are also variants with two edges: one with serrations and the other with a smooth surface. The majority of them are specifically intended to sever mineral wool and other forms of insulation.
However, you can cut through insulation without using an insulation cutting knife as well. Get one of your kitchen knives and make sure it’s razor-sharp. Because the insulation is not very tough, it can be sliced with almost any knife. What is the point of getting a fiberglass insulation knife, then? Knives made for this purpose exist. Cutting insulation on a frequent basis might cause problems here. For example, rather than cutting the insulation, you could wind up breaking it apart. Serrations come in useful in this situation. Then there are certain blades that can’t cut through mineral wool. Instead, you would have to use greater pressure, thereby crushing the insulation in the process of cutting it.
SOG Kilowatt- Electricians Pocket Knife with Wire Stripping Multi-Tool and 3.4 Inch AUS-8 Blade, UTP 10-22G Wire Stripper Knife (EL01-CP)
This tool is a folding pocket knife with a clip and a UTP wire remover in the grip make this a multi-tool that is invaluable for insulation workers. This reversible one-hand-open pocket knife with a low-carry clip can come in handy for any professional who needs this. For factors like lock feature, value for money, comfort, sturdiness, and durability, this has received good ratings on Amazon.
2. Pipe calipers
External calipers are used to determine the diameter and ovality of pipes from the outside. They are an easy-to-use instrument that may be used to measure almost any material. The Calipers are held together by a big screw that offers a solid and sturdy connection, making any measuring much easier.
Engineers, draftsmen, pipefitters, contractors, carpenters, plumbers, and other related sectors also frequently utilize the pipe caliper. But of course, insulation workers also have to use pipe calipers big time in their profession. This is a fractional measurement unit that is expressed in inches. This Pipe Caliper can measure pipe sizes up to 16″ in diameter.
Although this may seem to be a small and handy tool, this is actually one of the most important tools that you may have to make use of in your profession. We suggest you go for a pipe caliper of good quality that you can use for a long time without any issue.
uxcell 150mm 6-inch Inside Outside Caliper Stainless Steel Firm Friction Joint Measuring Tool 1 Pair
This tool has 150mm(6″) long stainless steel tips that have been hardened and elegantly polished. In this set, you will be getting one inner caliper and one outside caliper; the interior caliper having the same size range as the outer caliper. As you would know, inside calipers measure hole sizes and distances between surfaces, whereas outside calipers measure thicknesses and exterior diameters of items. We think that this would be a good one for your use.
3. Caulk guns
And of course, caulk guns are also very important for the use of an insulation worker to have as one of the tools. Caulk guns are devices that aid in the application of caulk, a form of sealant. Caulk is a sealant and adhesive that may be used to close gaps or cracks between window frames and jambs, or between a sink and a vanity. Caulk and a caulk gun may be used to seal almost any space.
There are a number of occasions that an insulation worker has to use caulk guns. Our piece of advice is that you must go for a quality and durable product. There is actually no point in using a caulk gun for considerably a small-time and throwing it away. You must have the ability to use it for quite a long time. And the key to that is to use a product that is pretty durable.
31Pcs Caulk Gun Professional Tools (Stainless Steelhead), Hand Caulking Guns and Caulk Kit with Silicone Scraper and Replace 5 Silicone Pads, Sealant Caulk for Kitchen Bathroom Window, Sink Joint
The body of this caulk gun is composed of thicker material that has been painted on the surface to make it more rust-resistant and long-lasting. The smooth rod requires less effort and is quieter than the wheel pressure rod due to its high-quality spring construction. The handle has an ergonomic shape that makes it easier to operate. It is better suited for long-term use. This caulk gun makes the difficult process of caulk removal simple and quick. And this can simply and rapidly increase the agglutinating quality and aesthetic sense of the surface. We think that this would be a good one for you to use.
4. Banding tools
What are banding tools? Caulk guns are tools that make it easier to apply caulk, a type of sealant. Caulk is an adhesive and sealant that may be used to fill gaps or cracks between window frames and jambs, or between a sink and a vanity. Almost any area may be sealed using caulk and a caulk gun.
As you would probably know, for insulation workers, banding tools are very useful. Nevertheless, as always, it is actually of immense importance to go for a tool that is so durable, so, there would actually be no problem using it.
Packaging Strapping Banding Tensioning Tool – Sealer Tool Heavy Duty PP Plastic Strapping Kit Inksilvereye
This is a good one that you can use in terms of banding tools. We think that you would find this so useful. For factors like ease to use, value for money, and lightness, this has received very good ratings on Amazon.
5. Duct board tools
Insulation workers also need duct board tools. With the use of duct board tools, we are so sure that you can make a lot of things that you do easily in your profession. The V groove tool is a portable tool for carving out a “V” in fiberglass board. It may be used to make HVAC ducts out of duct board and to bend fiberglass board into a 90-degree bend for insulating the outside of an HVAC duct. fiberglass board with a thickness of 1″ thick, 1-1/2″ thick, or 2″ thick may be kerfed using the V groove kerfing tool. Likewise, there are many duct board tools that you can make use of.
Amcraft 1″ R4 insulation Red Duct Tool (1″, Red)
If you are looking for duct board tools, we would like to recommend this red duct tool to you. We positively think that you would find this so useful. With this piece of equipment, we are sure that you can make your work so easy and convenient.
6. Insulator trowels
No doubt, insulator trowels also play a major role as one of the tools of an insulation worker. It is always better for your insulator trowel to have a flexible high carbon steel blade and an extended tang. Such an insulator trowel would be excellent for working insulation around pipes and other tight areas.
Just like we always say, it is immensely important for you to choose a tool that is really durable. Choosing a durable tool has a lot of advantages. Such tools are generally sturdy, efficient, and effective.
Goldblatt 2 Pieces Stainless Steel Trowel Set with Soft Grip Handle, Includes 16” x 4-1/2” & 14” x 4” Finishing Trowels, Lightweight Alloy Mounting, Round End
We think that insulation workers would find this so useful. This has used high-quality stainless steel for its production. That makes this corrosion-resistant and durable. Also, this is a lightweight tool. Therefore, this tool is convenient for you to use.
7. Insulator gloves
Insulating gloves (also known as electrical gloves) provide personal hand protection for workers working near or on live wires, cables, and electrical equipment, such as substation switchgear and transformers. Insulation workers surely fall into this category. Therefore, it is necessary for insulation workers to have insulator gloves as one of the tools of an insulation worker.
In fact, insulator gloves are not a type of tool that is straightforwardly a tool that is useful for insulation work. This is a type of tool that is mainly for the safety and protection of the insulation worker. Of course, safeguarding yourself from potential hazards is important above anything else. And therefore, we hope that using insulator gloves would be so useful for you.
Insulated System 5 Work Glove with Safety Cuff
In terms of insulated gloves, we think that this is a perfect pair of gloves for you. This is actually great for a lot of professions. And of course, this can provide you with the best comfort that you need. Also, this helps you have the right level of dexterity with your hands just as when you are working in your bare hands. In fact, this helps you have a very good grip as well. Considering all these factors, we think that you would find this pair of insulator gloves so useful.
8. Hard hats
A hard hat is a form of helmet intended to protect the head from harm caused by falling items, impact with other objects, debris, rain, and electric shock in job situations such as industrial or construction sites. Inside the helmet, suspension bands distribute the weight of the helmet and the force of any contact across the top of the head. A suspension also offers about 30 mm (1.2 inches) of space between the helmet’s shell and the wearer’s head, reducing the likelihood of an object striking the shell immediately striking the skull. A mid-line reinforcing ridge on certain helmet shells improves impact resistance.
Meanwhile, there is a variant of hard hats which we refer to as bump caps. A bump cap is a lightweight hard helmet with a chin strap and a simplified suspension or cushioning. Bump caps are employed in situations where there is a risk of scraping or hitting one’s head on equipment or structural projections, but they are insufficient to absorb major impacts, such as those caused by a tool dropped from many floors.
Insulation workers face a potential risk of other objects falling, debris, electric shock, and so on. Hence, there is a high necessity to use hard hats. Therefore, it is pretty necessary for an insulation worker to wear hard hats during work. This is an important safety measure to follow.
ACERPAL Full Brim Hard Hat, OSHA Construction Work Safety Helmet, 6 Point Adjustable Ratchet Suspension, Carbon Fiber Event Horizon Design
When it comes to hard hats, we think that this would be a good one for you to use. Wearing these hard hats for long periods of time is a breeze, thanks to the comfort it offers to the wearer. All the same, these are compliant with all the safety regulations as well. We have the feeling that you would find this product very useful for your professional work.
9. Safety harnesses
Here is another piece of safety equipment that should necessarily be on the list of tools of an insulation worker. Fall protection PPE like safety harnesses is quite prevalent. Because of the risks of working at heights, it is critical to keep your harness in excellent working order. They have the ability to save a life in a crisis when used properly, but if the safety harness has not been utilized, inspected, maintained, or stored appropriately, life may be in danger.
Therefore, make sure that you have a good safety harness that is in good condition. It must be a safety harness that is up to the standard. And you must use it in the right manner as well.
Malta Dynamics Warthog Full Body Harness with Tongue Buckle Legs (3X-Large), OSHA/ANSI/CSA Compliant
The worker capacity range of this safety harness is 130-310 lbs. This consists of break-away lanyard keepers as well as a fall Indicator. For factors like value for money, comfort, support, and durability, this has received good ratings from the customers of this product. All the same, this has received pretty good reviews from its customers as well.
10. Dust mask
Face masks became quite common with the outbreak of the pandemic. No matter how popular or unpopular face masks are, insulation workers need dust masks. These dust masks are immensely beneficial for safeguarding you from harmful and hazardous substances. Of course, this protection is pretty important.
Black KN95 Mask 20PCS Cup Dust Safety Face Masks Breathable 5 Layer with Elastic Ear Loop and Nose Bridge Clip for Adult Men & Women
This is the last product of this article that we are going to bring to you. This dust mask is a pretty useful one for you. As we told you previously, masks became quite common with the advent of the pandemic crisis. However, that is not a problem for insulation workers. They need to have dust masks invariably. And here is a suggestion from us. This mask, actually, consists of 5 layers. This mask has two layers of non-woven fabric. And this has two layers of melt-blown fabric. Additionally, this has one layer of hot air cotton. For factors like lightness, stretch, comfort, and value for money, this has received positive ratings on Amazon. That is why we thought of recommending this dust mask to you for your use.
Conclusion
The tools of an insulation worker were the subject of this article. Plumber, electrician, carpenter, masonry worker, HVAC technician, ironworker, glazier, solar installer, is and other trades all require similar gear. You can also read about them if you’re interested. Finally, we wish you tremendous success in your profession.
