When she cant buy or sell homes, she settles for the next-best thing: researching and writing about all things real estate-related. When you first install baseboards and quarter rounds, there will likely be some gaps that will ruin the look of the trim. Water damage, poor construction practices, and even removing the carpeting in a room can also cause a gap to occur. Cut the block to the height and width you think look good. Can I just paint over them or do I have to sand all of them first. So is there a way to update my baseboards without removing the current baseboards? While these can create a very good seal, paint does not stick to oil-based silicone caulk. (Google "shoe base" to see an example.) Sanding or a product? With a bit of practice, smoothing caulk with your index finger is a breeze. This looks amazing! Mount a tube of paintable caulk in a caulk gun, then run a long, steady bead along the top joint, where the baseboard meets the wall. It also updates the older-styled baseboard, so it is taller and more elegant-looking. The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which The Spruce receives compensation. Some of the ways to get this space sealed include: When homes are built, there will always be some variation in how things are done. Add a floorboard trimmed to your ideal width to snap it into place. Periodically rinse off your finger to remove excess caulk. If the gaps are large, you will want to fill them in to get a cleaner, more modern look. long. If the gap between your flooring and baseboards is due to the baseboard being too high, there is another solution. Replacing them seemed like an extra step we didnt need. I was in the kitchen the other day and realized that when they built these condos, one of the things they did was cover the cabinets with some type of sticky paper (done by manufacturer). *, Last updated on October 14th, 2022 at 12:27 pm. This article is great! That is a pickle because baseboards should go over flooring. This solution will only work, however, if the gap is smaller than the thickness of shoe moulding. More importantly, those gaps are also a hot bed for dirt, grime, bugs, mold, hair and other debris that are allowed to populate in a space that are even hard for a . Who knew baseboards could be this exciting?! Rachel! Now bring the ramrod up to the back of the tube and squeeze the trigger a few times until the pressure forces some caulk out. Though many people think of this as a solely aesthetic issue, but it's not. Again, if the gap is especially big, stuffing a piece of foam inside it before the caulk can help with the shrinking effect after it has dried. However, gaps between the flooring and baseboards could be the result of poor craftsmanship. Allow the deeper caulk to dry completely before caulking a surface bead. Since yours looks perfect, do you have any pointers for me? This Boho-Chic Sitting Area Is a Brilliant Solution for Awkward Entryways. If you're looking for a quick fix and looks aren't the most important factor, caulk is a great option. One easy and effective solution is to caulk the baseboards, though this is not a panacea for all gaps. "In old houses, you often see the fanciest baseboard in the front room downstairs," says This Old House general contractor Tom Silva. Caulking between the baseboard and floorboards will help solve gaps imperfections on the floor. If the space is wide enough, first try to close the gap by nailing the moulding into the closest stud. What Documents Will I Need for Taxes if I Bought a House Last Year? So the size of the gap between 5-inch boards will be twice as big as the gap between 2-inch boards. Living in an old house can be an exciting adventure. Baseboards are generally a required part of the trim in any room because they hide gaps between the flooring and the wall and, in some cases, hold the flooring down. 4. Most baseboards are preprimed, and if yours are, omit this step. Which would not only flex to the wall much better but transition much nicer to the 3/4" vertical door casing. Those are not very easy to paint although it can be done. When installing the shoe moulding, you will have to ensure that it is the correct size. 2. With cheap caulk guns, the caulk often drips long after you have released the trigger, wasting caulk and a bunch of paper towels every time you set it down. HI!, Looks great! Hold the gun at about a 30-degree angle with the open tip right on top of the gap where you will start, and make sure when you pull the trigger that a constant flow of caulk will come out. I have filled larger voids such as exterior window casing on a wood shingle house. Studs should be . Just as important, use it where you'll need to shape the filler after it has dried, like in the example below. Because of this, you will want to close that gap and make sure it stays sealed year-round. That wouldnt solve the problem anyway. I have recently bought a (new to me) condo. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Make sure to remove any grease or dirt well. Repairing baseboards isnt hard but those unsightly cracks and chips can build up over time as a house settles. Install the baseboard right over them, tight against the floor molding. Before getting started, make sure you have all of the essentials youll need to complete the job: Before you begin, use a pair of scissors to cut the tip of the caulk tube at a 45-degree angle. Then, you can make use of a quarter-round or shoe molding, which fits in nicely with the baseboard. You could try priming them with a extreme bond primer like those used for ceramic tile and such. But if you enjoy dabbling in DIY projects and have a good amount of time and patience, you can get rid of those gaps yourself in seven relatively simple steps. Thank you, Im definitely going to look into those . BECOME A FIX THIS HOUSE MEMBER! Its helping me redo the cracks between the baseboards and mounding on my stairs. If you're looking for something less noticeable, there are options such as trim strips and caulk. Most baseboards are preprimed, and if yours are, omit this step. In some cases, these gaps are wide enough that they allow air infiltration and can seriously impact your home's energy consumption. Caulk may shrink slightly as it dries, sometimes creating pinhole-sized gaps. Many homes havebaseboardswith gaps either at the top, where the baseboard meets the wall, or the bottom, where the baseboard meets the floor. Scrape or sand any excess texture off to create a smooth surface. Place the foam below the top of the baseboard before caulking. And to top it all off, this brand of trim cover also has endcaps and other accessories to help make the new baseboard flow seamlessly into the existing door casing. Carefully size, cut, and apply shoe molding, and secure with nails. If the baseboard is moved out from the wall and wiggles or bends, it would probably be best to reattach it. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. If any excess caulk drips or runs along the wood or the wall, immediately use the putty knife to carefully scrape it away. Apply construction adhesive at the top and bottom. Looking forward to the bathtub info. Hi there! Apply construction adhesive at the top and bottom. Thank you and again, well done!!!! Gaps at the top of the baseboard occur because the molding does not hug the wall close enough, which is common in older homes where the walls may not be perfectly flat. (Easy Picture Tutorial!). Scrape or sand any excess texture off to create a smooth surface. Then, slide the ramrods disc into the back of the tube. Understandably, many homeowners struggle with how to Do You Need Wood Flooring Repair or Replacement? A cap is a small, decorative piece of trim that "caps" off the . I promise the work is worth it though. One of the bigger problems that can arise is a gap between a baseboard and a floor. If they arent glossy, you can probably skip sanding. All of my baseboards are a dark walnut color and I I am really tired of the look. If caulking the bottoms, use the putty knife to scrape underneath the baseboards. If you choose to go for a more expensive route, the estimate that you get will mostly be based on the materials of your choosing. Any of these approaches will do the job and keep your home air tight when the weather gets cold. The steps are essentially the same. Cut 45-degree miters on the ends of 10-inch-long base scraps. Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you. Use Caulk to Fill the Gap. If water is left on the trim or floors too long, it will cause it to rot if it's made of hardwood. A six-foot section of an interior baseboard takes two minutes or less to caulk, and a six-foot section of exterior soffit takes five minutes or less. However, with old houses come new problems and some are easier to fix than others. Both sets of stairs were badly cracked, but the baseboards themselves seemed to be in decent condition. This can usually be fixed by someone who only has rudimentary home improvement skills. However, thats not the only reason why this could happen. You can hand-nail trimcarpenters have been doing it for centuriesbut theres no reason to anymore. If youre not ready for the investment, we strongly recommend renting the tools (about $50 per day). It is an inexpensive fix that can be done in practically no time. Caulk the gap between the baseboard and tile. You'll want to use a paintable latex silicone caulk to fill the gap. I have a video on caulking bathtub surrounds coming next week with video, so there might be more tips and tricks there to check out. It may also be there because of water damage to your joists and subflooring. It is important to remember that every home's foundation repair needs are different. Seal the tube of remaining caulk with a waterproof wire nut, duct tape or a golf tee. If you are leaving the floors uncarpeted, you should not have any gaps. There must be no movement in the two substrates (the wall and the baseboard). Efficiency and style are incredibly important considerations for homeowners. Paint the caulk to match the baseboards, if you wish, or leave it unpainted. The floor gaps catch and hold more dust than any other place of the home. Many cabinets are manufactured with an outer covering over particle board. If yours are bare wood, however, brush on wood primer with a paintbrush, making sure it gets into all the corner gaps, and let it dry. Pull out another 18 inches and repeat. In this article, we have compiled some methods for filling a large gap between a baseboard and floor. They fit in the gaps and seal themselves with their adhesive backing. Apply wood putty Apply your favorite wood putty generously, making sure to press it into the grooves. It can also prevent the same thing from happening to the trim itself. You can hand sand just to rough them up a bit which helps the paint bond better, prime them, and paint them. Nail to the studs in the wall and to the bottom plate of the frame. A gap between a baseboard and a wall can be especially bothersome and very noticeable, particularly if it is found in a well-traveled area of the home. The main purpose of wood trim is to add a polished, finished look to the room, and a large gap will detract from that goal by drawing the eye to that glaring imperfection. I like to tape the front of the baseboard to the edge It makes it easier to wipe off. All rights reserved. With baseboards or something like that, its not as big a deal to be super straight since it will be painted over anyhow. Always stay informed of your local building codes! Baseboards were often three-piece affairs consisting of a flat plank, a decorative cap molding, and a rounded shoe molding to cover gaps along the floor. Unfortunately, I am not sure of the exact name since it has been a few years. Force the caulk into the gap and fill it a little higher than the top of the trim. Wondering how to fill a gap between the carpet and baseboard? Like countertops, those baseboard molding gaps can be unsightly. Along with being a visually jarring issue, gaps like this can become a safe haven for critters like bedbugs and roaches. Now that you know why its so important to fix large gaps in wood trim, whats the best way to tackle it? All those pretty wall pictures on Pinterest with the stunning crown molding and crisp baseboards? It's basically the same procedure as before, carefully lay a bead of caulking, and then wipe back the excess with your finger until it looks nice. Is the correct size before caulking gaps that will ruin the look how to fix baseboard trim gaps too!, poor construction practices, and paint them investment, we strongly renting! Many homeowners struggle with how to fill the gap and make sure it stays sealed year-round chips build! Apply shoe molding, which fits in nicely with the baseboard being too high there! Efficiency and style are incredibly important considerations for homeowners cut the block to the studs in the two substrates the! 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Rinse off your finger to remove excess caulk it for centuriesbut theres no to.