How to Remove and Replace Baseboards
Replacing dated or damaged baseboards with new ones can instantly update the look of any room, and it’s a project you can do yourself. Learn how to remove and replace baseboards in this DIY Network video:
For this project, you will need the following:
- Materials: Baseboards, safety glasses, ear plugs, rags, painter’s tape, a drop cloth, construction adhesive, latex caulk, a wood scrap, and semi-gloss interior paint
- Tools: Measuring tape, pencil, nail gun and finish nails, a compound saw, stud finder, hammer, putty knife, paint brush, a utility knife, pry bar, and caulk gun
The important first step is to take out the old baseboards without damaging the walls or the floors. Cover the floors with a drop cloth. For the walls, cut at the top of the old baseboards using a utility knife (don’t lightly score it, really cut it). This is so you won’t rip the drywall paper when you pull the baseboards away from the wall.
To remove the baseboards, you want to start at the beginning of a run. Hammer the putty knife down between the wall and the baseboard, then gently pry the board away from the wall a bit. Once the baseboard is loose, use your pry bar to finish the job. It’s always good to have a scrap piece of wood just to put between the pry bar and the wall to use as leverage so you don’t punch a big hole in the wall.
Go slow and pull one piece at a time. Remove any stray nails from the wall using a hammer or pliers. Keep in mind that it’s sometimes easier to just tap a nail back into the wall. Then scrape off any old caulk using a blade or putty knife so you have a nice smooth surface to work with.
With the old baseboards, gone, you now have a clean slate and are now ready to install the new ones. In this video, 5-inch baseboards with a straight edge will give the room a more modern look.
Take careful measurements of the room and make a note of anything that will affect your runs, like HVAC wall vents or low power outlets. Now is also a good time to note where your studs are located in the wall. Using your stud finder and a pencil, make a light mark about a 1/4 inch higher than your baseboard height so you’ll know where to nail when it’s time to install the baseboards.
Start in the corner and install the longest run first. Use a nail gun loaded with 2-inch brad nails and secure it into the studs in the wall. You don’t have to use a nail gun for this, but it makes it a lot easier. If you want to avoid mitered corner cuts, you can do straight “craftsman” cuts or buy molding blocks that fit into inside and outside corners. If you need to join two pieces of trim, don’t butt them together with the straight cut; do a 45-degree angled cut.
Once the new baseboards are installed you could apply shoe molding which is great for covering imperfections on the floors or uneven floors, but if your floors are in good shape and you want a more modern look, you can skip this step.
For a clean crisp caulk line, use painter’s tape as a guide. Use wood filler or putty to cover larger nail holes. Use a damp cloth to clean up excess caulk as it will make the painting process a little easier. Go ahead and pull the painter’s tape off before the caulk sets up as it will leave a nice clean line.
Once all the trim is in and caulked, you’re ready to paint. Semi-gloss is a good choice as it is more resistant to picking up dirt and easy to clean.
