Learning How to Remove Polystyrene Ceiling Tiles
by Guest Post on Jun 9, 2011
Many individuals like the look of ceiling tiles. Therefore, when they need to replace their old polystyrene ceiling tiles they are going to want to make sure that they are doing this correctly. But, there are some people out there that have never actually removed these tiles before and they may be a little bit concerned about what they can do to ensure that they are not busting the ceiling tiles all over the place and making an even bigger mess. This is important because it can be messy when you are dealing with ceiling tiles in the first place. However, if you continue reading this article you will see just what you need to do to ensure that the process is as smooth as possible.
The first step involved in the removal process will be to head to the store and find large plastic sheets that you can use to cover all of your furniture. This will keep any dust from following onto your belongings. If you are not able to find these plastic drop cloths anywhere then you will want to use large sheets or blankets. Now, if you have some very expensive furniture or belongings that you do not want to be damaged then you might want to consider using heavy blankets as these could provide a little bit more padding in case something were to fall from the ceiling onto your furniture. As you can see, you have a lot of different options. The main thing is to ensure that your belongings are covered well.
Step two includes getting a very large ladder and placing it in the corner of the room. Any corner will work because you can start anywhere just as long as it is not in the center of the room. Make sure that your ladder is tall enough because you do not want to be overstretching and you certainly do not want to be stepping on the top of the ladder to reach. Also, make sure that your ladder is extremely level because you do not want to risk it tipping over. When you have removed the tiles in that location you will want to move the ladder and keep working your way around the room. This is much safer than leaning off of the ladder to reach the tiles.
You will want to strongly consider using a wallpaper steamer to loosen the glue of the tiles. This is a great way to help get the tiles loose so that you do not have to worry about fighting with the polystyrene ceiling tiles to come off. When the glue becomes lose you will find that the tiles will come off much easier and must faster. You may want to use a paint scraper to get the tiles off but you will want to make sure that you are taking your time. You do not want to ruin the ceiling underneath the tiles. This will only make it more difficult for you to install new tiles at another time and you do not want that to happen.
You will want to strongly consider using a wallpaper steamer to loosen the glue of the tiles. This is a great way to help get the tiles loose so that you do not have to worry about fighting with the polystyrene ceiling tiles to come off. When the glue becomes loose you will find that the tiles will come off much easier and must faster. You may want to use a paint scraper to get the tiles off but you will want to make sure that you are taking your time. You do not want to ruin the ceiling underneath the tiles. This will only make it more difficult for you to install new tiles at another time and you do not want that to happen.
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
107385 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
80998 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
73556 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
59377 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
36318 Views
Latest Articles
Signs You Need Professional Plumbing Repair: Don’t Ignore These Warning Signs
Ignoring the signs of a pending plumbing disaster can lead to significant damage and costly repairs. For instance, homeowners might not realize...
on Jan 20, 2026
Beneath the Surface: Why Professional Trenchless Sewer Line Repair
Beneath the Surface: Why Professional Trenchless Sewer Line Repair is Essential for Modern Homeowners
on Jan 14, 2026
Hydro Jetting Services: Unclog Your Pipes with the Power of Water
When faced with stubborn clogs and slow drains, conventional solutions often fall short. But with the innovation of hydro jetting services,...
on Dec 15, 2025
Why Professional Heat Pump Installation is Key to Maximizing Efficiency and Longevity
Heat pumps are a highly efficient means of heating and cooling homes, reducing energy costs and contributing to environmental sustainability. To...
on Dec 15, 2025
Why Professional Boiler Repair is Essential for Home Safety and Comfort
Maintaining a warm and safe home environment is paramount for any homeowner. Your home's boiler system plays a critical role in this, but what...
on Nov 5, 2025
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates
Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 264
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 240
- Real Estate / Finance — 203
- Appliance / Repair — 186
- Interior Design / Decor — 184
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 150
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 144
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 121
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 116
- Safety / Security — 114
- Doors / Garages — 113
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
My Top Techniques to Get Organised in the Kitchen
When I graduated from university, I decided to become a better cook. I know that one day I will have a family of my own to feed, and I’d prefer my...
Feng Shui Your Home
There's a lot of time and energy that goes into designing, renovating, or redoing any part of your home. The end product should be an environment...
Manual Key Machines: What Are Your Options?
An essential part of locksmithing, manual key machines form the bread and butter of many businesses. But with so many options available on the...
Why You Must Choose Wrought Iron Decor to Beautify Your Home
Wrought iron decor is one of the classiest ways to stylize your home. These pieces of art are elegant and stylish and the presence of intricately...
3 Staircases to Add Style and Flair to Your Home
A beautiful home is beautified further by internal décor. Several small decisions, like a painter’s strokes, encapsulate and finally originate a...
