How do you get rid of Armstrong ceiling tile odors?

Answer 1

We installed a drop cieling last spring. No problems then the humid weather came. Now a nasty smell has arisen which I determined was the ceiling tiles. Have you found anything more on this? I noticed noone has answered this question.

Had the same problem, called the company they said I should have read the directions that the tiles must be removed from the carton and laid out in the room for 24 hours before installing.....they told us to remove some of the tiles around the room place fans in the ceiling to circulate the air above the tiles... the smell is really bad, and I also asked around to others who have done drop ceilings in their basements and they have never heard of this problem before.....makes me think what the hell is in these tiles

7/4/09 Well, I have a bad odor coming from my Armstrong tile also and the tile have been installed since Oct. 2008. I have been looking for the source the smell for a few weeks now and just determined that it is the tile. It seems to be getting worse, not better as you might think. I don't think any more time airing out is the answer. I agree with the statement "what the hell is in these tiles"? Are these things from China? Not sure just what my next step will be but Armstrong will be on the list.

7/05/2009 I to have just installed a drop ceiling my wife keeps asking what is that smell and after you have been down there awhile you do not notice it as much but when you first go down you can really smell it.

I want to know what is going on . Has anyone called Armstrong and gotten a different answer.

I had my tiles in my basement for 3 days before installing that can not be the answer.

I also purchased from Home Depot did anyone else buy them there?

7/5/09 I am responsible for the 7/4/09 post. Yes, I got them from Home Depot and I have sent an email to Armstrong and requested (1) a reason for the smell and (2) a proposed fix. Its true that at first, on going to the basement you notice the odor more than when you have been there awhile. AND my installation was in Oct. 2008! I don't need any more airing out.

manco-capac

There was a problem with sheet rock from China during the building boom...18-24 months ago. The sheet rock is now turning black with mold around the US and there are some class action suits around. Perhaps that is the problem with the tile too. Poor materials.

The odor comes from the manufacturing process and is sometimes caused by butyric acid. Although it may be strong, it's doubtful the level of vapors coming off the tiles is not harmful, just a nuisance. Airing the tiles out is the answer usually given by the manufacturers. You could try returning them to the retailer and asking for different ones from a different production run/batch.

9/3/09 We had been going crazy trying to figure out the odor in our new rec room and we are glad that we found this site. I also installed Armstrong ceiling tiles purchased from Lowes. We also have bad odors coming from them which gives my wife headaches (this has caused her many problems with migraine headaches and she can't tolerate the use the of basement. You can smell this as soon as you reach the bottom of the stairs. As to airing out the basement we have been airing it it since we installed it in 2008 and it still smells! For the longest time we could not figure this out and have been using room deodorizers. We also have a air conditioning unit with a humistat (this keeps the humidity down) and this still does not work. We have taken out tiles to circulate air/fans nothing works. Has anyone had any satisfaction with Armstrong over this?

smconst

9/3/09 I entered the 7/4 & 7/5 posts and I did the same airing out suggested by Armstrong as smconst. I returned the tile to Lowes by working with a great gal in their RTM dept. (As Armstrong does not deal with individuals, I had to work thru the local Lowes.) Per directions from Armstrong to Lowes, I had to return all of the old tiles ( which were bought in June 2008) to Lowes yesterday. The gal from Lowes called me today and said that Armstrong will mail a check to me today for the full purchase price. The check is in the mail! Hold your breath! I was going to buy the same 918 Pebblebrook tile from Lowes as a identical replacement BUT I cut a slit in the plastic on the backside of a new box of this tile and stuck my nose against the tile and wow! The same rotten smell! I looked at USG tile at Home Depot today and NO smell. We really should be discusing this in the "Discussion" tab on this site manco-capac

Answer 2

I am in a classroom that just replace old moldy ceiling tiles. Now the room has a strong odor, and headaches, coughing and eye iritations are happening. What should we do