Whether you’re putting in new flooring or ripping out old flooring, chances are you have baseboards that need removal before anything can be accomplished. It’s easy to get in a hurry and just start ripping off the baseboards. However, there are proper steps and precautions to take before removing your baseboards. Take a look at the following steps to ensure you don’t damage walls or floors during the removal process.
Step 1
Often the baseboards are painted to the wall. If this is the case, it’s best to take a utility knife and score the wall where the baseboard meets the wall. This will ensure the baseboards do not tear away the paint, damaging your drywall. Try to angle the blade downward so you are cutting below the top of the baseboard. This will ensure no visible cuts in the wall after reapplying the baseboards.
Step 2
When starting to pry the board away from the wall, it’s best to start in one corner and make your way down. Starting in the middle could damage or break the board. Once you’ve inserted the pry bar behind the board, push the handle downward. Most try to push the handle towards the wall, but this can damage the wall above the baseboard.
Step 3
Once you’ve removed a corner, continue to make your way down the board, removing nail by nail. At this point, the board should begin to remove easily.
Step 4
Remove all nails that remain in the board or wall.
Keep in mind, if you’re planning on reusing the same baseboards, it’s best to mark the boards so you know which boards go where. Following these simple steps will ensure the removal of your baseboards is done easily while limiting any damage to the walls or floor.