Getting Rid of Ceiling Tiles with Grids

June
by June
I am so sick of my old 70's dropped ceiling with tiles and grids, how much work is it to get it back to original ceiling and re-drywall it?

  6 answers
  • Big lulu Big lulu on Oct 19, 2017

    I'm just guessing but the drop ceiling is probably hiding pipes or something similar.

    This is the sort of thing you need to get professional help with. Not a do-it-yourself job.

  • R R on Oct 19, 2017

    Not too difficult. Pop out tiles and discard. Track is easily pulled apart - watch out for sharp edges! The track is held up with wires wrapped through holes in tracks and through special screws or nails with holes in them. You can pull those out with a hammer or if screws use Vise-Lock pliers or a piece of heavier wire that fits through the hole to grip and rotate out the screws. You may have an old awl or other tool you can grind or file to fit and use.

    After it is all down you can repair the previous ceiling, or secure it and cover it with wood furring strips which if needed can be shimmed out to create a level surface in respect to each other and use that to attach new wallboard or other ceiling tiles. There are a lot of choices in tiles you should consider.

    • June June on Oct 20, 2017

      Thank you so much, this is exactly how they are. I don't want to hire a contractor, the last one I got me deeply in debt and I should have sued them, it's been a nightmare. Too many mistakes to mention, but enough that I won't hire another one---ever! Again I appreciate your help.

  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Oct 19, 2017

    Expensive. You need to remove all the frame, and put dry wall. This involves measuring, taping the dry wall, one piece to another, then spackle it, sand it, paint it. You can lower your ceiling, and not remove anything. Home Advisor.com you can find a carpenter, in your area and get an estimate. Good Luck!

  • All depends on what is up in the ceiling. Sometimes they put those ceilings in to be cheap and lazy to hide duct work. Do you know what all is up there that may need to be rerouted? Call at least 3 contractors and get bids.

  • Jean Jean on Oct 19, 2017

    getting the tiles out? easy. getting the grids down? not bad.

    what you might find hiding up there?

    could be popcorn. could be more tiles, could be wallpaper...

    could be a gaping hole from old water damage that would involve either stabilizing it, or tearing the old ceiling out and starting clean from the ceiling joists.

    popping 4 tiles out, and getting up there with a flashlight might give you an idea.