Removing Ceiling Tiles

Ceiling tiles give a finished look to an unattractive ceiling and a drop ceiling with tiles can make the room easier to heat and cool.

Removing ceiling tiles.

Your aim here is to break the bond between the tiles and the glue or adhesive holding them up. Remove old ceiling tiles. If you want to keep this debris from getting onto your floors lay down something to protect them such as sheets of newspaper. Tap it as far under the tile as you can using your hammer.

Tin silver copper or wood finished ceiling tiles. A tarp is ideal if you are removing large amounts of ceiling tile. Use a utility knife to score the tiles then a putty knife to loosen and pull loose a tile for inspection image 1. Step 3 remove the tiles.

Removing drop ceiling tiles can sometimes be a messy task depending on the style of tiles and how easily they fit through the frames. Along with the dust the broken debris can be enough mess to warrant a tarp or dropcloth. Sealed ceiling tiles are non porous which means if you splatter something on the ceiling it will be easily removed with just the mild dish washing liquid and water solution. This detergent and water combination will help to form an adhesive which will keep the asbestos fibers in place even if the tiles are damaged.

Set these tiles aside in a safe place as you can use them as cutting size templates later for your new tiles. You should not have to worry about stains. Carefully take down your old ceiling tiles. If they were attached to furring strips the job will be easier.

If they re glued directly on it will take some extra effort to remove them. This is another project that can be done by one person and in most cases the tiles that go into place can be easily cut to size using scissors. We recommend wearing safety goggles as the tiles will likely be dusty and dirty. Using a spray bottle soak the ceiling tiles.

Removing ceiling tiles is not difficult but you should. Investigate how the ceiling tiles are attached. Slide your wide scraper between the ceiling and the tiles. Many tiles will easily break apart if you can t fit them through the frame.

Begin removing the tiles carefully ensuring that your respirator is never directly underneath the tile you are moving. The grid for this system is much easier that the drop ceiling grid and the tiles attach directly to the grid. Gypsum ceiling tiles tend to crumble around the edges especially as they get older. Set up a sturdy stepladder in one corner of the room.