Damaged foam drop ceiling tiles should be repaired or replaced immediately.
Drop ceilings, also known as acoustical ceilings, have been used for years to camouflage the pipes, wires and joists above many basements and work areas. The panels can be lifted out of their grid for easy access to the utilities for inspection and repair. One of the most frequent complaints about drop ceilings is the fact that the tiles break, crack or otherwise damage easily. Replacing damaged is easy, but if you don't have a matching replacement tile, fix your damaged tile and maintain the look of your ceiling.
Instructions
1. Stretch out the drop cloth in an unused area. Place the damaged ceiling tile face down and press the pieces as close together as you can. Take your time and line up the sides of the cracks or pieces to maintain the shape of the outer edge.
2. Apply a bead of adhesive to the crack. Press the halves of the tile together to be sure the adhesive did not separate them. Smooth the bead of adhesive with your finger. Be careful not to disturb the tile pieces. Gently lay the board on top of the crack. Let the adhesive cure for 12 hours.
3. Remove the board and gently flip the tile. Apply a bead of caulk to the crack on the face of the tile. Smooth the caulk with your finger while pressing hard enough to push it just below the surface of the face of the tile. Let the caulk cure for 12 hours.
4. Use your artist's paintbrush to paint the caulk. Take your time and dab the paint over the caulk and the tile edge on both sides to make it blend with the rest of the tile. Apply several coats of paint, allowing each to dry completely before the next application.
5. Gently lift the tile. Hold it at an angle and slide it up into the ceiling grid. Position the tile over the hanging track and gently lower it into place.
Tags: Apply bead, bead adhesive, ceiling tiles, cure hours, damaged ceiling