Fortunately our damaged ceiling tiles were in a corner of the basement used as a laundry room.
Replace single ceiling tile.
For a quick update pop old tiles out of the ceiling grid and replace with fresh ones.
Before you work on a ceiling that old contact your regional epa office state environmental office or local health department for advice on testing and handling.
If your grid holds 24 x 48 tiles try a scored product that s designed to look like 24 x 24 panels.
The replacement tiles have two sides with an extended lip for stapling to the framework as well as a recessed groove for the lip of the tile next to it see first photo below.
If they re glued directly on it will take some extra effort to remove them.
Use a utility knife to score the tiles then a putty knife to loosen and pull loose a tile for inspection image 1.
Some ceiling tiles manufactured prior to mid 1970 contain asbestos.
We simply removed all tiles in that corner to install replacement tiles.
Investigate how the ceiling tiles are attached.