Removing a Dropped Ceiling
Steps on How to Remove a Dropped Ceiling
By Mark J. Donovan
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Dropped ceilings have a number of
advantages. First and foremost they allow easy access to plumbing pipes and
electrical wiring that may be buried above the dropped ceilings. This is one of
the main advantages of installing dropped ceilings in basements. This said,
there comes the occasion where the dropped ceiling needs to be replaced, either
with a new dropped ceiling or drywall. Removing a dropped ceiling, fortunately,
is relatively easy to do.
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When removing a dropped ceiling it is
important to wear protective clothing and eye protection. A mask is also helpful
to reduce the inhalation of dust and any mold spores that may have grown on the
dropped ceiling panels. This is particularly true when removing a dropped
ceiling from a basement.
The first step in removing a dropped
ceiling is to cut off power at the main circuit breaker box to any lighting that
may be integrated into the dropped ceiling panels.
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Next,
remove the individual dropped ceiling panels from
the dropped ceiling grid. You can do this by simply
pushing up on a corner of each ceiling panel and
then slightly twisting and lifting it out of the
grid system.
Now
disconnect the wiring from the dropped ceiling
lights. You may want to put a wire nut over each
loose wire if you have plans on turning the circuit
breaker back on.
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Next, use safety wire to tie up any
ductwork or vent systems that are currently being supported by the dropped
ceiling grid assembly. You can tack up the other end of the wires to the
overhead floor joists to suspend the ductwork and vent systems.
With the ceiling tiles removed and
mechanical hardware suspended from the floor joists, you can begin to cut the
suspension wires that hold the dropped ceiling grid up.
While cutting the suspension wires
disassemble and remove the tees that form the ceiling grid.
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Next,
remove the suspension wires from the floor
joists.
Finally, remove the dropped ceiling
wall track along the perimeter of the walls. Depending upon how they are
attached you may need a screw gun or a claw hammer to remove the screws, or
nails, respectively, from the track.
And with that, you have finished the
removal of your dropped ceiling.
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