I have basement ceiling tiles that are about 12 inches square, without
any visible border between them. Due to a potential leak above one, I
need to remove a tile. How can I do this safely?

I can't tell what holds the tiles in place. The tile is made out of a
white fiber-like substance, with lots of holes, most likely to absorb
sound. Can I just pry around the edges?

Thanks!

Marissa Taylor wrote:
I have basement ceiling tiles that are about 12 inches square, without
any visible border between them. Due to a potential leak above one, I
need to remove a tile. How can I do this safely?

I can't tell what holds the tiles in place. The tile is made out of a
white fiber-like substance, with lots of holes, most likely to absorb
sound. Can I just pry around the edges?

Thanks!

You ain't gonna like the answer. You start at a wall, remove the trim to
expose one edge of tile, and start working backward. Hopefully you guess
right the first time and expose the lip with the staples or tacks or
whatever. Lotsa luck finding matching tiles if you break any- that stuff
is getting rare. Most people end up tearing it all down in frustration,
and putting up something else.

--
aem sends...

aemeijers wrote:
Marissa Taylor wrote:
I have basement ceiling tiles that are about 12 inches square, without
any visible border between them. Due to a potential leak above one, I
need to remove a tile. How can I do this safely?

I can't tell what holds the tiles in place. The tile is made out of a
white fiber-like substance, with lots of holes, most likely to absorb
sound. Can I just pry around the edges?

Thanks!

You ain't gonna like the answer. You start at a wall, remove the trim to
expose one edge of tile, and start working backward. Hopefully you guess
right the first time and expose the lip with the staples or tacks or
whatever. Lotsa luck finding matching tiles if you break any- that stuff
is getting rare. Most people end up tearing it all down in frustration,
and putting up something else.

--
aem sends...

I swear I saw some of that stuff at Lowe's the other day (well, it was
12" square ceiling tile anyway. I didn't look real close because I was
actually there looking for new diffusers for drop ceiling troffers.)

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

aemeijers wrote:
Marissa Taylor wrote:
I have basement ceiling tiles that are about 12 inches square, without
any visible border between them. Due to a potential leak above one, I
need to remove a tile. How can I do this safely?

I can't tell what holds the tiles in place. The tile is made out of a
white fiber-like substance, with lots of holes, most likely to absorb
sound. Can I just pry around the edges?

Thanks!

You ain't gonna like the answer. You start at a wall, remove the trim to
expose one edge of tile, and start working backward. Hopefully you guess
right the first time and expose the lip with the staples or tacks or
whatever. Lotsa luck finding matching tiles if you break any- that stuff
is getting rare. Most people end up tearing it all down in frustration,
and putting up something else.

That shouldn't be too bad in my case, as the tile in question has only
one other between it and the wall. However, an electrician once removed
one in the middle of the room to run a thermostat wire. I'm wondering
if there is a trick to do that.

My tile wiggles when I press it, but how is attached...

Marissa Taylor wrote:
aemeijers wrote:
Marissa Taylor wrote:
I have basement ceiling tiles that are about 12 inches square,
without any visible border between them. Due to a potential leak
above one, I need to remove a tile. How can I do this safely?

I can't tell what holds the tiles in place. The tile is made out of
a white fiber-like substance, with lots of holes, most likely to
absorb sound. Can I just pry around the edges?

Thanks!

You ain't gonna like the answer. You start at a wall, remove the trim
to expose one edge of tile, and start working backward. Hopefully you
guess right the first time and expose the lip with the staples or
tacks or whatever. Lotsa luck finding matching tiles if you break any-
that stuff is getting rare. Most people end up tearing it all down in
frustration, and putting up something else.

That shouldn't be too bad in my case, as the tile in question has only
one other between it and the wall. However, an electrician once removed
one in the middle of the room to run a thermostat wire. I'm wondering
if there is a trick to do that.

My tile wiggles when I press it, but how is attached...

they interlock, like tongue and groove flooring. Two edges have
tongues, two edges have grooves. One or two edges of each tile will
have staples or brads holding it up. usually they're stapled to furring
strips, which are nailed to the joists of the floor above.

and if anyone needs some furring strips, I ripped a whole mess of this
stuff out of my laundry room a while back. Who needs a ceiling in the
laundry room, anyway? Not like you're going to hang out in there while
your guests admire the furnace.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Marissa Taylor wrote:
aemeijers wrote:
Marissa Taylor wrote:
I have basement ceiling tiles that are about 12 inches square,
without any visible border between them. Due to a potential leak
above one, I need to remove a tile. How can I do this safely?

I can't tell what holds the tiles in place. The tile is made out of
a white fiber-like substance, with lots of holes, most likely to
absorb sound. Can I just pry around the edges?

Thanks!

You ain't gonna like the answer. You start at a wall, remove the trim
to expose one edge of tile, and start working backward. Hopefully you
guess right the first time and expose the lip with the staples or
tacks or whatever. Lotsa luck finding matching tiles if you break any-
that stuff is getting rare. Most people end up tearing it all down in
frustration, and putting up something else.

That shouldn't be too bad in my case, as the tile in question has only
one other between it and the wall. However, an electrician once removed
one in the middle of the room to run a thermostat wire. I'm wondering
if there is a trick to do that.

My tile wiggles when I press it, but how is attached...
Hi,
Maybe he cut it out and glue it back on?

Lowes sell several Armstrong tongue and groove 12"X12" tiles. I got
them when I had to replace some in my basement. The pattern on it is a
little different than my existing ones, but you can't tell the
difference. Mine were stapled to furring strips with a T-21 staple gun.

"aemeijers" wrote in message
news
Marissa Taylor wrote:
I have basement ceiling tiles that are about 12 inches square, without
any visible border between them. Due to a potential leak above one, I
need to remove a tile. How can I do this safely?

I can't tell what holds the tiles in place. The tile is made out of a
white fiber-like substance, with lots of holes, most likely to absorb
sound. Can I just pry around the edges?

Thanks!

You ain't gonna like the answer. You start at a wall, remove the trim to
expose one edge of tile, and start working backward. Hopefully you guess
right the first time and expose the lip with the staples or tacks or
whatever. Lotsa luck finding matching tiles if you break any- that stuff
is getting rare. Most people end up tearing it all down in frustration,
and putting up something else.

--
aem sends...

aem pretty well covered it. The only possibility I see would be to carefully
cut along the joints with a razor knife and try to get the tile out without
breaking it. There will likely still be a few staples holding it but you
might be able to carefully ease it out while ripping the staples out of the
back. Probability of removing it and invisibly replacing it is very slim, I
think.

If you were lucky, the installer would have stashed some spares somewhere
and you would only have to worry about the color match! It is possible that
you might be able to find a matching replacement as that type has been very
common for a long time.

Don Young

Marissa Taylor wrote:
I have basement ceiling tiles that are about 12 inches square, without
any visible border between them. Due to a potential leak above one, I
need to remove a tile. How can I do this safely?

I can't tell what holds the tiles in place. The tile is made out of a
white fiber-like substance, with lots of holes, most likely to absorb
sound. Can I just pry around the edges?

Thanks!
Hmm,
Hope your access target is near the wall. Most likely they are T&G tiles
stapled to the strapping above.

On Wed, 06 May 2009 19:43:25 -0400, Marissa Taylor wrote:

I have basement ceiling tiles that are about 12 inches square, without any
visible border between them. Due to a potential leak above one, I need to
remove a tile. How can I do this safely?

I can't tell what holds the tiles in place. The tile is made out of a
white fiber-like substance, with lots of holes, most likely to absorb
sound. Can I just pry around the edges?

Here's a picture of one that may be similar to yours.

http://images.lowes.com/product/042369/042369006514.jpg

The flanges interlock, and are stapled to wood strips. If you only need to
remove one tile, you may be able to trim around all four sides with a
sharp knife. Then reattach the tile with white finishing nails. Be
careful, as they break, crack and chip very easily.

If you end up needing new ones, I found plain white tiles (unlike yours,
no holes) to match mine at Lowes. I don't recall if they had them with
holes.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...31F&lpage=none

They are about $30 for a box of 40 tiles.

--
Tony Sivori
Due to spam, I'm filtering all Google Groups posters.

On May 7, 9:25*am, Tony Sivori wrote:
On Wed, 06 May 2009 19:43:25 -0400, Marissa Taylor wrote:
I have basement ceiling tiles that are about 12 inches square, without any
visible border between them. *Due to a potential leak above one, I need to
remove a tile. *How can I do this safely?

I can't tell what holds the tiles in place. *The tile is made out of a
white fiber-like substance, with lots of holes, most likely to absorb
sound. *Can I just pry around the edges?

Here's a picture of one that may be similar to yours.

http://images.lowes.com/product/042369/042369006514.jpg

The flanges interlock, and are stapled to wood strips. If you only need to
remove one tile, you may be able to trim around all four sides with a
sharp knife. Then reattach the tile with white finishing nails. Be
careful, as they break, crack and chip very easily.

If you end up needing new ones, I found plain white tiles (unlike yours,
no holes) to match mine at Lowes. I don't recall if they had them with
holes.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...ductId=85912-6....

They are about $30 for a box of 40 tiles.

--
Tony Sivori
Due to spam, I'm filtering all Google Groups posters.

I didn't see anybody caution poster about asbestos. "White,fiber-like
substance" rang my bell. Please consider wearing mask and ventilating
very well.

On May 6, 7:43*pm, Marissa Taylor wrote:
I have basement ceiling tiles that are about 12 inches square, without
any visible border between them. *Due to a potential leak above one, I
need to remove a tile. *How can I do this safely?

I can't tell what holds the tiles in place. *The tile is made out of a
white fiber-like substance, with lots of holes, most likely to absorb
sound. *Can I just pry around the edges?

Thanks!

Probably too late but...

Cut a hole in the middle. Break away bit by bit until it is removed.
Pull the staples or nails out. With the new tile, cut one of the
'flanges' off (the one that is at a 90 degree to the joist with the
staples). Put a drop or two of adhesive on the side where the staples
were. Slide the flange into the existing tile and push up on the glued
side.

I'm concerned that my 12" x 12" white ceiling tiles may contain
asbestos. They have holes and small etchings in them. However, many
fiber based, non-asbestos tiles may look similar and hopefully that is
what I have. Short of sending one to a lab, are there any visual
differences between harmless fiber ceiling tiles and older ones made of
asbestos?

I need to remove one as a pipe appears to be leaking above it, but if
asbestos is involved, it will be a whole other project!

Here is what they look like:

Picture of the Tiles:
http://images46.fotki.com/v1506/phot...MG_2509-vi.jpg


Picture of a cut tile, where a fixture was hung. Note the almost
cardboard brown/orange color of the interior of the tile:

http://images50.fotki.com/v1513/phot...MG_2511-vi.jpg

Thanks much!

Marissa Taylor wrote:
I have basement ceiling tiles that are about 12 inches square, without
any visible border between them. Due to a potential leak above one, I
need to remove a tile. How can I do this safely?

I can't tell what holds the tiles in place. The tile is made out of a
white fiber-like substance, with lots of holes, most likely to absorb
sound. Can I just pry around the edges?

Thanks!

Marissa Taylor wrote:
I'm concerned that my 12" x 12" white ceiling tiles may contain
asbestos. They have holes and small etchings in them. However, many
fiber based, non-asbestos tiles may look similar and hopefully that is
what I have. Short of sending one to a lab, are there any visual
differences between harmless fiber ceiling tiles and older ones made of
asbestos?

I need to remove one as a pipe appears to be leaking above it, but if
asbestos is involved, it will be a whole other project!

Here is what they look like:

Picture of the Tiles:
http://images46.fotki.com/v1506/phot...MG_2509-vi.jpg


Picture of a cut tile, where a fixture was hung. Note the almost
cardboard brown/orange color of the interior of the tile:

http://images50.fotki.com/v1513/phot...MG_2511-vi.jpg



Marissa,

I haven't a clue whether those tiles have asbestos or not but can tell
you that if they were installed after 1980 they should be OK unless
someone used old stock.

that said, I'm not nuts about the light in your second picture... what's
the deal there? Am concerned about that installation, why is there tile
around there and not a proper box?

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Nate Nagel wrote:
Marissa Taylor wrote:
I'm concerned that my 12" x 12" white ceiling tiles may contain
asbestos. They have holes and small etchings in them. However,
many fiber based, non-asbestos tiles may look similar and hopefully
that is what I have. Short of sending one to a lab, are there any
visual differences between harmless fiber ceiling tiles and older ones
made of asbestos?

I need to remove one as a pipe appears to be leaking above it, but if
asbestos is involved, it will be a whole other project!

Here is what they look like:

Picture of the Tiles:
http://images46.fotki.com/v1506/phot...MG_2509-vi.jpg


Picture of a cut tile, where a fixture was hung. Note the almost
cardboard brown/orange color of the interior of the tile:

http://images50.fotki.com/v1513/phot...MG_2511-vi.jpg



Marissa,

I haven't a clue whether those tiles have asbestos or not but can tell
you that if they were installed after 1980 they should be OK unless
someone used old stock.

that said, I'm not nuts about the light in your second picture... what's
the deal there? Am concerned about that installation, why is there tile
around there and not a proper box?

I have no idea, as we discovered that after we had purchased the house.
Originally the lamp fixture covered the area now visible. It's been
that way a long time. I believe there is a box mounted to the joists
and the support post now protrudes through the ceiling tiles. After I
get this other issue resolved, we'll work on the light.

Unfortunately I have no idea when that ceiling was installed, but the
house was constructed in the 1960s.

"Marissa Taylor" wrote in message
...
I'm concerned that my 12" x 12" white ceiling tiles may contain asbestos.
They have holes and small etchings in them. However, many fiber based,
non-asbestos tiles may look similar and hopefully that is what I have.
Short of sending one to a lab, are there any visual differences between
harmless fiber ceiling tiles and older ones made of asbestos?

I need to remove one as a pipe appears to be leaking above it, but if
asbestos is involved, it will be a whole other project!

Doubt they have asbestos, but a simple dust mask would take care of things.
No need to get all hysterical about removing one tile.

Ed Pawlowski wrote:
"Marissa Taylor" wrote in message
...
I'm concerned that my 12" x 12" white ceiling tiles may contain asbestos.
They have holes and small etchings in them. However, many fiber based,
non-asbestos tiles may look similar and hopefully that is what I have.
Short of sending one to a lab, are there any visual differences between
harmless fiber ceiling tiles and older ones made of asbestos?

I need to remove one as a pipe appears to be leaking above it, but if
asbestos is involved, it will be a whole other project!

Doubt they have asbestos, but a simple dust mask would take care of things.
No need to get all hysterical about removing one tile.



right... unless the ceiling HAS to come down, so long as the ceiling
isn't falling apart (the actual condition is called "friable") you're
really not at any significantly elevated risk just leaving it there.
The paint is holding all the fibers in place.

Now if you had plans to remodel, the presence/absence of asbestos would
be something that you'd want to know.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

In article ,
Nate Nagel wrote:
Ed Pawlowski wrote:
"Marissa Taylor" wrote in message
...
I'm concerned that my 12" x 12" white ceiling tiles may contain asbestos.
They have holes and small etchings in them. However, many fiber based,
non-asbestos tiles may look similar and hopefully that is what I have.
Short of sending one to a lab, are there any visual differences between
harmless fiber ceiling tiles and older ones made of asbestos?

It takes a microscope and training to identify asbestos fibers. You'd
have to send a sample to a lab and have it tested.

I need to remove one as a pipe appears to be leaking above it, but if
asbestos is involved, it will be a whole other project!

Small quantities aren't a significant risk. However, any asbestos fibers
that get into your lungs stay there forever, so exposure should be
limited when possible.

Doubt they have asbestos, but a simple dust mask would take care of things.

No, conventional dust masks are not adquate to stop asbestos fibers.
They'll catch clumps of material, but not individual fibers. Takes a
real respirator to block it.

No need to get all hysterical about removing one tile.

No need to take unnecessary chances, though.

right... unless the ceiling HAS to come down, so long as the ceiling
isn't falling apart (the actual condition is called "friable") you're
really not at any significantly elevated risk just leaving it there.
The paint is holding all the fibers in place.

Correct; disturbing the fibers is where the problem will arise. I had
to go through an asbestos O&M course at the last job; doing abatement
properly is a significant undertaking.

Now if you had plans to remodel, the presence/absence of asbestos would
be something that you'd want to know.

Maybe. That's a quirk in the regulations; if you _know_ it contains
asbestos, you're required to do full abatement using a certified
contractor. If you _don't_ know, you don't have to do full abatement.
You can DIY or have work done without the certified contractor, at
a much lower cost. Never did quite understand the logic of that.


Gary

--
Gary Heston http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/

"Behind every successful woman there is an astonished man"
General of the Army (four stars) Ann Dunwoody

"Gary Heston" wrote in message
Maybe. That's a quirk in the regulations; if you _know_ it contains
asbestos, you're required to do full abatement using a certified
contractor. If you _don't_ know, you don't have to do full abatement.
You can DIY or have work done without the certified contractor, at
a much lower cost. Never did quite understand the logic of that.

Sounds like a quirk written by the lobbyist for asbestos abatement companies

Gary Heston wrote:
In article ,
Nate Nagel wrote:
Ed Pawlowski wrote:
"Marissa Taylor" wrote in message
...
I'm concerned that my 12" x 12" white ceiling tiles may contain asbestos.
They have holes and small etchings in them. However, many fiber based,
non-asbestos tiles may look similar and hopefully that is what I have.
Short of sending one to a lab, are there any visual differences between
harmless fiber ceiling tiles and older ones made of asbestos?

It takes a microscope and training to identify asbestos fibers. You'd
have to send a sample to a lab and have it tested.

I need to remove one as a pipe appears to be leaking above it, but if
asbestos is involved, it will be a whole other project!

Small quantities aren't a significant risk. However, any asbestos fibers
that get into your lungs stay there forever, so exposure should be
limited when possible.

Doubt they have asbestos, but a simple dust mask would take care of things.

No, conventional dust masks are not adquate to stop asbestos fibers.
They'll catch clumps of material, but not individual fibers. Takes a
real respirator to block it.

No need to get all hysterical about removing one tile.

No need to take unnecessary chances, though.

right... unless the ceiling HAS to come down, so long as the ceiling
isn't falling apart (the actual condition is called "friable") you're
really not at any significantly elevated risk just leaving it there.
The paint is holding all the fibers in place.

Correct; disturbing the fibers is where the problem will arise. I had
to go through an asbestos O&M course at the last job; doing abatement
properly is a significant undertaking.

Now if you had plans to remodel, the presence/absence of asbestos would
be something that you'd want to know.

Maybe. That's a quirk in the regulations; if you _know_ it contains
asbestos, you're required to do full abatement using a certified
contractor. If you _don't_ know, you don't have to do full abatement.
You can DIY or have work done without the certified contractor, at
a much lower cost. Never did quite understand the logic of that.


Gary


Right; I was going at it from a common-sense standpoint, not a legal
regulation standpoint.

Cannot a homeowner still do their own abatement though, even if asbestos
is known to be present? (not that it's relevant to me; I had a ceiling
similar to the OP, demo'd it in a day. Done. That's about the only
stuff I have around here that looks to be potentially
asbestos-containing, save for the floor tile in the basement that I also
already removed...)

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

On Sat, 23 May 2009 19:57:20 -0500, (Gary Heston)
wrote:

In article ,
Nate Nagel wrote:
Ed Pawlowski wrote:
"Marissa Taylor" wrote in message
...
I'm concerned that my 12" x 12" white ceiling tiles may contain asbestos.
They have holes and small etchings in them. However, many fiber based,
non-asbestos tiles may look similar and hopefully that is what I have.
Short of sending one to a lab, are there any visual differences between
harmless fiber ceiling tiles and older ones made of asbestos?

It takes a microscope and training to identify asbestos fibers. You'd
have to send a sample to a lab and have it tested.

I need to remove one as a pipe appears to be leaking above it, but if
asbestos is involved, it will be a whole other project!

Small quantities aren't a significant risk. However, any asbestos fibers
that get into your lungs stay there forever, so exposure should be
limited when possible.

Doubt they have asbestos, but a simple dust mask would take care of things.

No, conventional dust masks are not adquate to stop asbestos fibers.
They'll catch clumps of material, but not individual fibers. Takes a
real respirator to block it.

No need to get all hysterical about removing one tile.

No need to take unnecessary chances, though.

right... unless the ceiling HAS to come down, so long as the ceiling
isn't falling apart (the actual condition is called "friable") you're
really not at any significantly elevated risk just leaving it there.
The paint is holding all the fibers in place.

Correct; disturbing the fibers is where the problem will arise. I had
to go through an asbestos O&M course at the last job; doing abatement
properly is a significant undertaking.

Now if you had plans to remodel, the presence/absence of asbestos would
be something that you'd want to know.

Maybe. That's a quirk in the regulations; if you _know_ it contains
asbestos, you're required to do full abatement using a certified
contractor. If you _don't_ know, you don't have to do full abatement.
You can DIY or have work done without the certified contractor, at
a much lower cost. Never did quite understand the logic of that.


Gary

Mist the tiles with a little water from a spray bottle to keep the
asbestos from becoming airborne, and you should be fine. Just put any
debris, and the wet rag you wipe everything down with afterward, in a
plastic bag and put it in the household garbage.

On May 23, 5:48*pm, Marissa Taylor wrote:
I'm concerned that my 12" x 12" white ceiling tiles may contain
asbestos. *They have holes and small etchings in them. * *However, many
fiber based, non-asbestos tiles may look similar and hopefully that is
what I have. *Short of sending one to a lab, are there any visual
differences between harmless fiber ceiling tiles and older ones made of
asbestos?

I need to remove one as a pipe appears to be leaking above it, but if
asbestos is involved, it will be a whole other project!

Here is what they look like:

Picture of the Tiles:http://images46.fotki.com/v1506/phot...MG_2509-vi.jpg

Picture of a cut tile, where a fixture was hung. Note the almost
cardboard brown/orange color of the interior of the tile:

http://images50.fotki.com/v1513/phot...MG_2511-vi.jpg

Thanks much!

Those tiles are no where near 40 or 50 years old. There's no worry
about asbestos. Any time you are going to be creating dust just stick
a fan in a window and have it blow out. Block off the rest of the
window. That will suck the dust out of the room and keep it from
spreading all over the house.

Those tiles are available and there's not much to working with them.
Here's a link to new installation:
http://www.acehardware.com/sm-instal...g-1298355.html

You can break out the tile to be replaced carefully as already noted,
then cut off the tongues or the backside of the grooves on the
replacement tile as required, then use adhesive and white panel nails
to install the new tile. A little joint compound works to hide dings
in the tile.

R

On May 23, 8:44*pm, wrote:

It don't matter. *You're going to die either way !!!!

Please leave the humor to the professionals - you're obviously way
under-qualified. Thanks.

R

RicodJour wrote in news:2d06fa08-4f5f-40e6-9d0b-
:

On May 23, 8:44*pm, wrote:

It don't matter. *You're going to die either way !!!!

Please leave the humor to the professionals - you're obviously way
under-qualified. Thanks.

R

That was humor? Not even close. None of us is getting out of this life
alive, but there's dying and dying. Asbestos-induced cancer is not the
nicest way by far.

--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid

wrote in
news
On 24 May 2009 01:13:39 GMT, Han wrote:

RicodJour wrote in
news:2d06fa08-4f5f-40e6-9d0b-
:

On May 23, 8:44*pm, wrote:

It don't matter. *You're going to die either way !!!!

Please leave the humor to the professionals - you're obviously way
under-qualified. Thanks.

R

That was humor? Not even close. None of us is getting out of this
life alive, but there's dying and dying. Asbestos-induced cancer is
not the nicest way by far.

What is the nicest way to die?

Have your heart stop in your sleep. People still do just quit.

--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid