How to Ready a Wall for Insulation

Except for a few exceptions, the walls in my house are currently plaster with wood lath.  To ready a wall for the insulation:

1) Breaking into the plaster, its best to start on the top and start working your way downward. I would suggest standing on a step ladder. If you slide the long side of a crowbar underneath the plaster, you can get a huge chunk to come crumbling down.  Keep working your way downward.

2) Time to start into the wood lath.  Once again, you may want to start on top and work your way downward, so you don’t end up getting rained upon.  The lath is usually spaced across three studs (the vertical two-by-fours).  I have found that if you stick the curvy part of a crowbar underneath the center one and then work your way across.  Keep a clean pile going in the center of the room or off to the side.  This pile can be simply board together.  Tossing it into a garbage can may not be a wise choice- as you may end up stabbing yourself with nails as you reach into empty container (like putting your arm into a chest of snakes!)

3) Go over your work, looking for any nails you may have left behind.  Make sure everything is neat and clean.  Check the bottom and the top for any extra wood lath peices that maybe hiding under the trim or floorboards. 

4) Pick up any large pieces of trash and vacum clean the corners inbetween the studs.

Now you are ready for the insulation!!!