Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

Fjgrogan wrote:Do any of you wise people out there know a quick and easy and preferably safe way of removing polystyrene tiles from a ceiling? .

According to Reader's Digest Fix It Yourself guide 'it is possible to remove them, but it is a tedious job and bits will fly about everywhere, so remember to protect your eyes with safety goggles.

To cut a long story short: scrape off with paint scraper, then soften adhesive with heat gun and scrape off, taking care not to dig into the surface of the ceiling.

Good luck

xxx

icomefromalanddownunder wrote:

Fjgrogan wrote:Do any of you wise people out there know a quick and easy and preferably safe way of removing polystyrene tiles from a ceiling? .

To cut a long story short: scrape off with paint scraper, then soften adhesive with heat gun and scrape off, taking care not to dig into the surface of the ceiling.

xxx

WARNING

Polystyrene (as used in those tiles) is very inflammable and if ignited will drip onto the floor. I believe that the gasses given off are poisonous or otherwise potentially fatal.

Hence, even though you will not have a naked flame, ensure that you get ALL the polystyrene off first and work in a very well ventilated place.

sejintenej wrote:
Hence, even though you will not have a naked flame, ensure that you get ALL the polystyrene off first and work in a very well ventilated place.

I'm guessing that the glue is pretty toxic too.

icomefromalanddownunder wrote:

sejintenej wrote:
Hence, even though you will not have a naked flame, ensure that you get ALL the polystyrene off first and work in a very well ventilated place.

I'm guessing that the glue is pretty toxic too.

Can't help on that; there are several types used at least one of which uses water as a solvent and is therefore probably safe. Polystyrene reacts with most inflammable solvents so it is a case of finding out what has been used. For starters, having removed just one tile simply try washing the ceiling with clean water to see if the glue dissolves.

Take care

Thanks for the link, englishangel. It is extremely tempting and Maria has threatened to contact them on my behalf several times. I am not sure that I could cope with the shame of having it all aired on television though.

Anyway the problem of removing the ceiling tiles was dealt with long ago - eventually Chris-the-builder did it with sheer brute force, and the ceiling is now clad with beautiful timber. I just have to sort out the bath seal and sealing the cork floor tiles which will put the room out of use temporarily, then we shall actually have one room finished and I can move onto the next and so on ad nauseam et infinitum! And the polystyrene ceiling tiles in four bedrooms will be staying firmly where they are until I can afford proper professional help!

Wickes do very useful little booklets for lots of household DIY jobs

englishangel wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/beon ... _sos.shtml

Thank you for that link ...it may come in VERY useful.... and soon, too if things don't start progressing a little quicker - I want somewhere to stay at christmas!!

Maria we have a nice new almost insulated shed!!! If Nick Knowles turns up on my doorstep I shall disinherit you!

englishangel wrote:Wickes do very useful little booklets for lots of household DIY jobs

Do Wickes do a leaflet on motivating husbands?

Fjgrogan wrote:Do Wickes do a leaflet on motivating husbands?

No - As Mary said, it's a case of 'Do It Yourself' !!!