Baseboard and Trim Replacement And Repairs
All you need is a joint compound on your baseboard that can be used like mud for drywall, allowing you to fix these sections that have been damaged very quickly. You can use a simple taping knife to spread out the material, and then shape it however you want, so it matches the baseboard perfectly. If you do this two or three times, you will end up with a good result.
How To Better Baseboard Properly:
1. You are going to need a small piece of wood that can be placed over the patch. Try to make the patch itself thinner than the baseboard you are fixing. The measurement of 3/8”-1/2” is what you are striving for.
2. The next step is to use ¾ stock – MDF, composite board or any plywood that you have available will work perfectly.
3. You need to secure the template with screws.
4. If you have one, you need to use a router, preferably with a flush cutting that (or just use a standard straight bit or guide bushing), which needs to be cut to size. This template should be shallow, similar to the cutting full depth. By doing this, the surface area for the glue will be much wider, giving you a lot more stability. Look at Step 1 which talks about the depth of the hole for the patch. As you are cutting, you will make sawdust, which you can remove with a vacuum.
5. Manipulate the wood, specifically on the corners, using a chisel.
6. Now, just tap it into place in glue the patch. It will be strong enough without needing nails; the glue will work just fine.
7. Sand it down. You will then want to prime it and then paint it.
Molding profile that you use should match the existing trim – if this is custom trim, be prepared to pay more for the lumbar. Once you have patched the baseboard you should get good results – all you have to do is glue it into place adjacent to the custom cut hole.
Keep in mind that you don’t really have to match everything up because you just need to match the patch when you cut the hole. Custom templates can be produced with routers that will cut the hole for you.
Common DIY Interior Trim Repairs
DRYWALL MUD OR WOOD PUTTY TIPS
Fixing these errors will be done very easily by simply applying the wood putty or drywall to the holes and gaps. It will smooth out all of the damaged areas and can hide many other problems.
USE CAULK
If you use a caulk gun, you can start with the need for the material. Using your finger, you can spread it out and it will easily drive.
REPLACE A SECTION OF MOLDING
Water damage on wood baseboard, especially if it is rotted, may be cracked and there may also be flaws that are so numerous that replacing this section might be the best choice. Then, just refinish it and paint it over.
If you notice some gaps, specifically around the crown molding, which could be warped, or if you see scratches or dents, most of these repairs can be fixed rapidly.