How To Repair Baseboards

Baseboards are often the most damaged pieces of molding that afflict any home, since they are at floor level and have more chances of being damaged. Changing or fixing baseboards use the same techniques as replacing other types of molding, so basic knowledge of how to fix or repair baseboards can be useful in other home improvement projects as well.
The first thing you need to do is remove the old and damaged baseboard. Also remove the rounded molding at the floor level called shoe molding. A putty knife is an easy tool to loosen this molding, and finish by pulling it up with a pry bar. You can also remove the baseboard in the same fashion, by using a pry bar to loosen it from the wall. To prevent breaking the baseboard, move down the length of the molding with the pry bar, gently pushing it from the wall. Tapping in a shim, or thin piece of wood, can also provide a gap to help loosen the molding from the wall.

After pulling the baseboard from the wall, be sure to remove any nails to prevent injury or further damage to the molding. If you can get the baseboard off in one piece, you can use it as a template for a new piece. In the event that the molding is too damaged to use, cutting new molding with its proper angles can be done using a Miter Box. This box is helpful when cutting molding at a variety of angles and can be found at any home improvement store, along with instructions or tutorials on how to use one.
When you have finished cutting the new pieces of molding, you can begin to fit them on the wall. Start with one wall and miter the corner, then measure the next section, always making sure to remember where inside and outside angles lie. Inside corners utilize a different angle of cut that an outside corner.

The best idea is to lay out the pieces where you want them as you cut, so you can be sure all angles fit and all the pieces are the correct size. If you are reusing the old baseboard, locate the holes and nail back to the wall. If the molding is new, locate wall studs and nail into place. You can finish the job by painting or staining the molding after it is attached to the wall. However, it may be simpler to paint beforehand and attach to a freshly painted wall.

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