Why Clean Ceiling Tiles?

Everyone knows that they have to clean their carpets and other flooring surfaces to remove dirt, sand, hair, staples, spills and other debris. What they don’t realize is that above their heads, those nice out of sight, out of mind ceiling tiles are continually absorbing not only noise, but also atmospheric contaminants such as dust, skin dander, molds, bacteria, viruses, pollens and other allergens. Additionally, in cooking or smoking areas, there is a buildup of grease, oils and/or nicotine.

Most contaminants are lighter than air, so as warm air rises, they have a tendency to flow upwards and settle on the tile surface and in fissures (small holes designed for appearance and sound absorption). Most of these particles are microscopic, so the tiles may appear normal or just slightly discolored over time. The contamination may only become apparent when a new tile is inserted or a test clean is performed. The first visible signs are around air vents where the maximum airflow causes the larger particles to settle on the tiles directly surrounding the vents.

 Clean vs. Paint Minimize

This table compares the advantages of cleaning your ceiling instead of painting your ceiling.

Issues to Consider
Painting
Cleaning
Total Savings
Cost
$.40 - $.80 sq ft
$.15 - $.35 sq ft
$.25 - $.45 sq ft
Properties
Acoustic and fire ratings lost
Acoustic and Fire ratings restored
 
Odor
Lingering paint odor
Tiles deodorized
 
Attached
Fixtures
Tile sticks to grid and other fixtures. Stains bleed through.
Grid work, light lenses, air vents, intakes etc… cleaned
Cost of the inevitable replacement of fixtures
Future
of Tile
Loss of life span. Tile is sealed and dry rots from the inside out. Stains bleed through
Increased life span. Tile restored to almost new
Cost of the inevitable replacement of tile
Business Interruption
Most painters don’t work at night
Cleaning can be done at night and will take only hours
Sales that would be lost during painting

This table compares the advantages of cleaning your ceiling instead of replacing your ceiling.

Issues to Consider
Replacing
Cleaning
Total Savings
Cost
$1.00 to $5.00 sq ft
$.15 - $.35 sq ft
$.85 - $4.65 sq ft
Attached
 Fixtures
Still need cleaned, painted or replaced
All attached fixtures are cleaned
Additional labor costs
Job
Clean Up
Messy, a lot of dust and debris above old ceiling
No mess solution is biodegradable non toxic, non flammable and meets OSHA and USDA standards
 
Business interruption
The average job will take 3-4 days to complete
The average job will take 3-4 hours to complete
Loss of business revenues during construction

Request a free demo at your location to see how CAROLINA BRITE CEILINGS can help you.

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