Where the Bodies are Hidden

Drop ceilings are an affordable solution instead of drywall ceilings in a basement. Drop ceilings are also homeowner friendly in terms of installation. Drop ceilings are also where I find many safety issues and defects.

Depending on how many rooms there are, I will pop up 1 or 2 panels per room to see what is up in the cavity between the ceiling and the floor frame above. What do I find? Electrical defects are the number one issue. Splices that are left in the open with wire nuts or taped together and not in an approved receptacle with cover are a safety and liability issue.

Ceiling tiles that are bellied is another example of what I find. What is causing that belly in the tile? Usually a recessed lighting fixture or supply/return registers that is not properly installed. The result could be a collapsed fixture and tile which could hurt someone.

Bathroom and dryer venting is another issue. I will find bathroom vents that exhaust into the cavity of the ceiling and floor frame above. What does this do? Dampness permeates this area and possible mold and mildew growth will occur. Dryer venting has the same moisture issue but also all the lint fills the cavity which is a fire safety issue.

I am also able to see leaks from plumbing fixtures above. This is easy to find and evidenced by the water stain on the ceiling panel. Also, looking at the underside of ceiling panels I will find where they have been replaced. Some tiles will also have a date of when they were made giving me an indication of when possible leaking or damage in that area occurred. I am then able to tell my client that they may want to ask the home seller about the new tiles that have been replaced and why, what or if there was a problem.

I do have to be careful removing ceiling tiles to gain access. If I break one, I feel I should have to replace it and some inspectors won't look up there for that reason. These are many more issues that can be found but these are just a few.  I feel that if you want to do good job for your client, looking into a drop ceiling is necessary. Who knows what will be found?  And Why Not?