Drop Ceiling material & Water Stains
#1
Drop Ceiling material & Water Stains
What is the material used for drop ceilings? I have done some searching here trying to see if I could find a solution to my problem but then after seeing different topics, I became unsure of what people even call this stuff. Years ago I thought it was called celotex but I am not sure?
Anyway I have a few water stains and painting is out of the question because I only have three stains and several squares. I have seen a product you can spray on them for water stains but have not heard or read as to whether or not it works. Also saw here on DIY that someone had used a 1/2 bleach 1/2 water solution on something called "popcorn" ceiling but again, don't know if this is what mine is called. I would just replace the squares but they are in my basement and there is only about a 3 inch clearance from the floor joist so I do not think I can get them out without breaking them and getting new ones in without breaking them.
Thanks Much!!
Anyway I have a few water stains and painting is out of the question because I only have three stains and several squares. I have seen a product you can spray on them for water stains but have not heard or read as to whether or not it works. Also saw here on DIY that someone had used a 1/2 bleach 1/2 water solution on something called "popcorn" ceiling but again, don't know if this is what mine is called. I would just replace the squares but they are in my basement and there is only about a 3 inch clearance from the floor joist so I do not think I can get them out without breaking them and getting new ones in without breaking them.
Thanks Much!!
#2
You should be able to remove or move a piece of the metal web that supports the panel. One of the cross members should be pressed or snapped in, it is fastened in a way that it can be disengaged without damaging it. I know mine is. They could not get the drop ceiling up without having this ability. Just lift up the tile while you are on a ladder with a flashlight and take a look, at the joint where the crossmembers meet, one of the crossmembers are removable (it is usually the short ones), the web is a semipermanent structure. As far as painting it is concerned I am not sure. But I am positive you can replace it without breaking it.
#4
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take a photo of your ceiling tile into Home Depot and you more likely than not will find a match or close match. 3" is room enough to remove a tile without disassembling the frame work. Push the tile up and move it slightly above the frame and to one side a few inches. tilt a corner of the tile down through the frame work and then slide it out of the frame work.
to confirm removability with a margin of safety....::: Step one: lift a tile up above the frame and set it on top of a bordering tile.. step 2..start a new tile into the opening..Place the tile above the fame into the 3" area, align it and drop it into place. In the event, you cannot fit a new tile in, you will be able to transfer the stained tile back to it's original location.
to confirm removability with a margin of safety....::: Step one: lift a tile up above the frame and set it on top of a bordering tile.. step 2..start a new tile into the opening..Place the tile above the fame into the 3" area, align it and drop it into place. In the event, you cannot fit a new tile in, you will be able to transfer the stained tile back to it's original location.
#5
3" is no alot of room to monkey a tile around, besides have you thought how to get it back in. I have tried it, It is so easy to push the short leg of the frame to the side, it is not dismantling the framework, it is giving you more room to work so the tile can be removed. Stephen take a look at what 3" looks like on a ruler, that is not enough room to twist a tile around and remove it for someone who doesn't do it regularly. Why wrestle for 20 minutes when it can be done in 2.
#6
Thanks guys for your replies. I am going to tackle this after next week so I will probably have a few more questions. (mainly about the framework) After looking closer, I was probably stretching the 3 inches. It is closer to 2 and with the insulation buldging down, it is even hard to lift one and slide it over. The guys who did this sure did not expect to have to work on it.
Thanks again!!
Thanks again!!
#7
I'm betting with a little effort & care, you can replace that ceiling tile. I've replaced them with barely enough room above the grid to push them out. If you can't find your style of tile at the local yard in a box, check the local drywall supply house, most of them also handle drop lid tile like your looking for.