How to Replace Ceiling Panels

Tongue and Groove Ceiling

• 1

  Climb a ladder for close access to the panel.

• 2

  Score the seams carefully with a utility knife to sever the joints. Cut a square hole out of the middle of the panel to create an edge for inserting a pry bar.

• 3

  Remove the panel by inserting a pry bar in the center hole you've created. Trying to pry off the panel from the seams can damage adjacent tiles.

• 4

  Remove any nails or staples from the furring strips with the pry bar.

• 5

  Scrape off old adhesive from the furring strips with a putty knife.

• 6

  Apply a bead of panel adhesive to the furring strips. Panel adhesive comes in a caulk tube and is extruded from a caulk gun.

• 7

  Cut the tongue off one edge of a new ceiling panel so it will fit into the hole.

• 8

  Insert the remaining tongue into the groove of an adjacent ceiling panel and press the panel onto the adhesive.

Suspended Ceiling

• 9

  Climb a ladder for close access to the panel.

• 10

  Push up on the panel with both hands and pop it out of the tracks.

• 11

  Turn the panel at an angle, then bring it down and out of the grid.

• 12

  Hold a new panel at an angle and slide it up through the empty space.

• 13

  Position the panel flatly and lower it onto the tracks.