How to Replace a Plastic Ceiling Tile

A tiled ceiling can be highly attractive but if one plastic ceiling tile should come down, it will need to be replaced because it is unsightly. Tiles crack or break over time, but they can be replaced with the right kind of attention and preparation. Some plastic tiles are made from plastic Styrofoam and others are made of firm plastic which are ideal for suspended ceilings.

Step 1 – Removing the Old Tile

If the ceiling tile that you are replacing is one which was previously glued, and not suspended, you will to repair that area first. Styrofoam tiles tend to break when you try to remove them, especially older tiles. Use a scraper, or putty knife, to go around the edges of the tile so that you don’t harm any of the good tiles in the vicinity.

Step 2 – Clear the Area

Scrape away all the residual tiling and then scrape away all the dried glue or adhesive. Sometimes older adhesive can set so hard that it becomes solidified and is very hard to remove. If this occurs and you have trouble getting any hard residue off the ceiling, use a rubber mallet with the scraper to try and loosen it off. The ceiling needs to be totally clean and flat so that no bumps show through the new tile or prevent it from sticking.

Step 3 – Dry Run

Place the new tile in the gap and make sure it is an exact fit. Most people keep a few spare tiles when they are doing a project in the event that any need replacing further down the line. If you did not set the tiles in the first instance then buying a new tile will be the only option (but look around the attic first).

Step 4 – Fitting the New Tile

If the tile slips nicely into place, bring it down and place a liberal amount of adhesive on the underside. Spread it around but don’t make the layer too thick. You want the tile to match in with the others around it and not stand up because the glue is too thick. Some tiles only require a small blob of glue on each corner but the best way to tell which method to use is to actually follow the pattern preset by the previous tile. You will be removing the glue marks, so you will see how they were glued previously.

Once the new tile is set in place, make sure there is no residual glue slipping over any edge. That glue will turn yellow in time and you will see marks appear around the edge of the tile.