A suspended ceiling grid is basically a metal structure that is hung by wires from the floor joists above. Tiles are placed within the grid to make an attractive ceiling that covers things such as electrical wires and ventilation ducts. If you have a suspended ceiling in your house and you've decided it's time for a change, you can remove it yourself. All it takes is some do-it-yourself skills, a few tools and materials.
Instructions
1. Shut off the electricity to the overhead lighting in the room with the grid. Put on long sleeves and pants, safety goggles and a dust mask to protect yourself.
2. Set up a ladder underneath a corner of the room where you're going to start. Climb up until you can comfortably reach the ceiling without stretching or straining. Move the ladder as you work across the ceiling.
3. Remove the suspended ceiling panels by lifting them up and out of the grid. Tilt them at an angle so you can fit them through the grid and remove them. Stack them on the floor.
4. Disconnect the wiring from the ceiling lights and carefully remove them. Place a wire nut over every loose wire for safety.
5. Secure any ventilation ducts that are within the suspended ceiling grid to the floor joists. Wrap one end of a length of safety wire securely around a duct. Hammer a nail in a joist above and wrap the other end of the wire around it.
6. Cut the wires that hold the suspended grid to the ceiling with a pair of wire cutters. Cut the the grid. Take apart and remove the tees that make-up the grid as they become free.
7. Cut the wires from the floor joists and remove them. Remove the nails or screws that held the track for the suspended ceiling grid in place along the walls.
Tags: suspended ceiling, floor joists, remove them, suspended ceiling grid, wires from, ceiling grid