Replace Single Ceiling Tile

For a quick update pop old tiles out of the ceiling grid and replace with fresh ones.

Replace single ceiling tile.

Before you work on a ceiling that old contact your regional epa office state environmental office or local health department for advice on testing and handling. Use a utility knife to score the tiles then a putty knife to loosen and pull loose a tile for inspection image 1. If your grid holds 24 x 48 tiles try a scored product that s designed to look like 24 x 24 panels. Investigate how the ceiling tiles are attached.

If they re glued directly on it will take some extra effort to remove them. Some ceiling tiles manufactured prior to mid 1970 contain asbestos. The replacement tiles have two sides with an extended lip for stapling to the framework as well as a recessed groove for the lip of the tile next to it see first photo below. Unlike drop ceiling acoustic tiles that fit into a suspended frame most interlocking tiles are mounted on the ceiling with nails staples adhesive or a combination of the three.

We simply removed all tiles in that corner to install replacement tiles.