How to Remove Old Ceiling Tiles

Suspended Ceiling Tiles

Determine if your ceiling tiles have asbestos

1. Cover the floors with painter's tarps, as removing ceiling tiles may dislodge dust and debris. Place a large garbage can in the room.

2. Press up on a ceiling tile. Lift the ceiling tile to pop it out of its track.

3. Angle the ceiling tile. Find the best angle that allows you to remove the tile through the opening between the tracks. Remove the ceiling tile and toss it into the garbage can. Continue until all tiles have been removed.

Interlocking Ceiling Tiles

1. Cover the floors with painter's tarps and place a large garbage can in the room

2. Determine how the ceiling tiles are attached. The tiles are either stapled or glued to furring strips. Glued tiles require a little more work. Score the edge of the tile with a utility knife to loosen it. Push the tile up with putty knife. Determine if it is glued or stapled.

3. Remove the molding that borders the ceiling. Lightly tap a putty knife along the edges with a hammer and use the putty knife to pry the molding away from the wall.

4. Remove the ceiling tiles with a pry bar or claw hammer. Work the edge of the pry bar or claw hammer under the edge of the ceiling tile. It helps to tap it with a hammer. Rock the bar back and forth to loosen the tile. Glued tiles require a little more elbow grease.

5. Remove the ceiling tile. Discard it in the garbage can. Remove the staples, if present, with needle-nose pliers.