Replacing isn’t a very hard chore to learn or master but it will require some time and hard work. It’ll also require you to get down your hands and knees.
This means it is a good idea to get a good set of kneepads that you can use. If you don’t have kneepads you can always put an old pillow or a comforter on the floor to protect your knees while you are working. Anybody who has ever done any work on his or her hands and knees knows that a little knee protection is a good way to avoid a lot of pain. A set of elbow pads could also be a really good investment.
Tools and Supplies You Will Need
As with any home improvement job: replacing the baseboards will go better and faster if you have the right tools. The tools you might need will include measuring tape, a hammer or rubber mallet if you’ve got one, wood wedges, a pencil, a miter box, a saw, a magnetic stud finder, a chisel, a screwdriver and paintbrushes.
You will also need new baseboards these can be ordered online or purchased from a hardware store, lumberyard or home improvement retailer. Before going baseboard-shopping use the tape to measure the room to see how much baseboard you will need. Remember it is always a good idea to get a few extra feet of baseboard in case something goes wrong.
The Project Itself
Once you’ve removed the old baseboards you should clean up the area behind them before installing new ones. Sweep up any debris or remove them with a shop vacuum so the area will be clear.
The new baseboard will have to be attached to the wall studs. You can locate these using the magnetic stud finder. The studs are boards that hold up the drywall in the wall. Once you’ve found the wall studs you can mark them with the pencil. If you’re planning to nail the baseboard into place you will need to nail it to the wall studs.
Baseboard will have to be cut in order to fit into place. This is probably best done with a table saw if you have one. If you don’t any electric circular saw or handsaw will do.
Always save some of the corners of the old baseboard and use them as a model for making shoe molding. These are the corner points where baseboard comes together. It will have to be nailed with two-penny nails in these places.
When you are nailing baseboard on you should be able to use the nail holes from the old baseboard (if it was properly installed). If the old baseboard wasn’t properly installed or the new baseboard is a different size you will have to use your judgment.
Finishing
The easiest way to get baseboard finished is to simply buy pre-finished baseboard. It is fairly easy to find baseboard that has been varnished or painted beforehand. This can save you a lot of time and trouble.
If you are planning to stain or varnish baseboard to match hardwood floors it is always a good idea to stain it before you attach it. This will save you a lot of trouble and it will look better. You can do touch up after you put it on.
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