How to Remove Baseboards From the Wall

Be extra careful when removing a baseboard to avoid damage.

When renovating a room, you may find the need to remove the existing baseboard, such as if it was installed over the flooring you need to remove. It's not a particularly tough procedure, but you need to use some extra caution so you don't damage the drywall. Take your time and be patient, and you might even remove the baseboard without damaging it so it can be reused.

Things You'll Need

• Utility knife
• Wood block
• Pry bar or stiff putty knife
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Cut a line in the old caulk that seals the baseboard to the wall. It will be much easier if your utility knife has a new sharp blade in it. Then just gently cut along the top of the baseboard where the caulk is.

2. Place a thin wood block against the wall right above the baseboard to protect the wall from damage. Place the pry bar or a stiff putty knife between the wood block and the baseboard. Depending on how tight it is, you may need to use a hammer. Pry the baseboard gently away from the wall, pulling the nails that secure it to the wall out. Don't pull it all the way out at this time, which might break the baseboard.

3. Move down the baseboard to where you see the next nail holding the baseboard to the wall, and repeat the procedure at that point, pulling a little more of the baseboard away from the wall. The farther you move down the baseboard, the easier it will be to see where the nails attach and insert the pry bar or putty knife. If you are really careful you can usually pull all the nails out of the wall without breaking the baseboard.

4. Go back to where you started if the nails are still holding the baseboard against the wall, and repeat the procedure, but try to gently pry enough of the baseboard to release the nails. Continue down the baseboard until it is completely removed from the wall.

Tips & Warnings

• It also might be helpful to use two pry bars -- one big one and one small one. Once you get the big one lodged between the baseboard and the wall, use the small one farther down the baseboard to start separating it at that point.

References

• Acme DIY: How to Remove Baseboards, Molding & Trim
• Hammer Zone: Trim Removal and Preparations