Baseboard is a simple project to do.If you're planning on remodeling your floors or installing new baseboards, you might want to try this.With a little patience, you can easily remove your baseboards.
Step 1: With your tools at the ready, kneel in front of the edge of a baseboard.
The center is starting at the edge to give the pressure caused by the exit.If you start in the center, the pressure will be on the board and you'll be at risk of snapping it.You will prolong the removal process.The door casting is a good place to start.
Step 2: The board has caulk binding it to the wall.
Place your utility knife at the top of the baseboard.The caulk is located here.Slowly but firmly press the blade into the caulk and run it along the end of the baseboards.You want to break the glue so that it doesn't pull the board away.Once you have finished, return to your starting position.
Step 3: To create space, wedge your taping knife between the board and the wall.
At the top edge of the newly made score, position your taping knife.To give yourself more of a hold, grab your hammer and tap the knife in deeper.The knife should be flexed a bit to create some spacing.If you have shoe mold, you can remove it with your taping knife.
Step 4: Put your taping knife above the nails to find the space.
Take the taping knife out of the grove and look for nails.If you don't find anything, move along the board and repeat step 3.You have a place to put your crowbar to make pulling off the baseboard easier.If your baseboards are covered in glue, you can skip this step.Puller trims can be used instead of the taping knife.
Step 5: Pull back the space between the board and taping knife with a crowbar.
The crowbar should be between the blade of the knife and the board.Pull the end of the bar up to separate the board from the wall.If needed, apply more pressure, but don't force anything.If you feel like you're going to crack the trim or damage the drywall, you may need to use a second taping knife in front of the first.You don't need the crowbar or taping knife for this step if you have a trim tool.Both will be done by the trim tool alone.
Step 6: Work along the baseboards while repeating steps 3 through 5.
The baseboard will be free from the wall.Once you get to the end of the current board, stop.
Step 7: If you have to, pull the board free with your hand.
Pull the board by the edge where you started if the entire board doesn't come off after step 6.If your board doesn't come free, it's behind the board.If this is the case, remove this board.When you reach this step again, the boards should come free.
Step 8: Use a pair of nippers to remove the nails from the back of the board.
Pull or rock the nippers out of the nail.Don't bang the nails out through the front of the board if you place every nail in a secure place away from you.This will leave you with a mess of wood pieces to clean, and will put more holes in the trim than necessary.
Step 9: If you plan on using your boards again, you should mark them.
When your board is removed, you'll want to take a sharpie or some other type of marker and write down a number on both the board and the portion of the wall that used to be behind it.The number on the board should correspond with the wall number.This will allow you to know where you're going to install.
Step 10: Remove the caulk from the wall.
If you want to chip away at the caulk, take your taping knife.It's better to come at it from the side rather than the top or bottom.While you catch the falling chippings, you can leave a dustpan under you.