	Hyderabadghar.com\|Contact Us\| Site Map
HOME MATERIAL SUPPLIERS SERVICE PROVIDERS GHAR TIPS GHAR GALLERY LEGAL ASPECTS GharBlog

Removing Old Trim

If you're planning to install new flooring or you want to refinish the woodwork in a room, you will need to remove the base trim. Although it sounds complicated, it really isn't. Explained below are the basic procedures involved in the process. The same techniques can also be applied when removing trim around doors and windows.

When removing the trim, work slowly to avoid cracking the pieces, especially if you plan to reuse them. You may be able to patch a length of trim but sometimes nothing short of replacement will do. Most types of trim are readily available at a reasonable price; others, such as those made of hardwood, can be expensive. Curved and intricately molded trims are difficult to duplicate.

PROJECT BASICS

Project: Moderate
Estimated Project Time: Varies with size of project
Start Tips: Determine a safe place to store the trim pieces until you are ready to reinstall them
Safety Tips: Remove nails from each piece and discard them properly
Recommendation: Do-it-Yourself

Fig. 1

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Remove base shoe molding
First remove base shoe molding. Slip a stiff paint scraper or a small prybar behind the molding and pry it away from either the baseboard, as shown here, or the floor. (Fig. 1) You may have to experiment to figure out which surface it is actually nailed to. Work slowly from one end to the other to avoid breaking the fragile trim.

Fig. 2

2) Remove top molding
Use the same procedures from Step 1 to separate top molding from the base. You may need a chisel or second bar for leverage. (Fig. 2)

Fig. 3

3) Pry base loose Base is not nearly so flexible as molding, making it harder to remove but less likely to snap during the effort. Slip a prybar between base and wall, taking care not to damage the wall or the fragile top edge of the base. Slip a thin scrap of wood behind the prybar to protect the wall surface, and then gently lever the base away from the wall. (Fig. 3)

Don't try to pull it entirely clear; you might crack the wood. Instead, continue down the length of the base with the prybar, opening up a modest gap as you work. Then go back to where you started, open the gap a bit more, and again work your way down the base. Pry close to existing pairs of nails, rather than midway between them, for best results. The entire base trim should eventually pull away, along with all the nails. At an inside corner, remove coped portion first then the butt portion because the butt end lies under the coped end.

Fig. 4

4) Remove nails
As you take off each piece remove the nails and discard them. Some baseboards may pop off the wall bringing the nails with them. To remove the stubborn nails, set a metal bar between the nailhead and the wall. (Fig. 4)

Fig. 5

Then with the metal bar in place, tap the baseboard (on scrap wood) to force out the nailheads so you can pull them out using a pliers. (Fig. 5)

Fig. 6

5) Label the pieces
Label the location of each piece as you remove it. On a room with many corners, this will make reinstallation easier. (Fig. 6)

Home |Construction Needs | Home Needs| Ghar Galleries | Ghar Blog