Can I remove this suspended ceiling without asbestos risk?

We want to remove this ceiling completely and fix / re-plaster the original one, but I have heard tiles like this can contain asbestos. The tiles look in pretty good condition, and should just slip out of the frame easily for disposal. I would have thought that if we are not damaging the tiles, we are not creating a hazard, even if they do contain asbestos. I have contacted a testing firm, but at $80 a sample (we have four different types) I don’t want to bother if I can just remove the stuff and throw it away. Also, cutting off a 2″ piece seems to me to be more likely to release something nasty, no?

pocketdora

in Brownstoner Renovation 11 years and 9 months ago

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Townie | 11 years and 9 months ago

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OK You can try to recycle them then… here are two links. http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycwasteless/html/stuff/takeback_ceiling_flooring.shtml http://www.armstrong.com/commceilingsna/save-the-ceilings-video.html?intcid=promo_SaveTheCeilings_RecycleOverview

sqhaexgkh | 11 years and 9 months ago

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If you think they have asbestos you should get them checked out before disposing of them. The above suggestions of disposal are inherently wrong, maybe you can remove and not expose yourself, but putting a hazardous material in the garbage and risking exposing someone else is not the right thing to do, legal or not.

BobMarvin | 11 years and 9 months ago

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AFAIK Townie’s suggestion is perfectly legal as long as you don’t _know_ there’s asbestos involved. You probably shouldn’t put all the bags out for collectiob at once (as with any debris from a DIY job).

Townie | 11 years and 9 months ago

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Nice steady ladder and dust mask. Start on one corner and remove and place them immediately in large black contractor bags (home depot) in one piece. Don’t bother cutting them up. Don’t overload the bags. Tie shut. Set out with your trash on bulk collection days. End of story.

coopfornow | 11 years and 9 months ago

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Removal is one thing, disposal is another. If there is a potential for asbestos there are probably guidelines for disposal you’d have to adhere to.