6 Steps for a DIY Baseboards Installation Project

If you have recently purchased an Irvine home for sale and want to give a touch of enhancement to its interiors, new baseboards can add up to the final finishing touch your home truly deserves. Making a firm decision with dedication transforms a living space from average to amazing, not denying the fact that baseboards play an important role in a home’s overall look. From removing existing baseboards to installing the new trim, these steps will guide to for your new DIY project to have a professional finished look.

1. Remove Old Trim

Use a sharp blade or a box cutter to remove the top of

the trim, where caulking and paint accumulate. You can either use a pry bar or a wedge to separate old baseboards very carefully as it may damage the drywall surfaces and the old material may fall out with attached nails. The main attempt is to prevent anything from breaking. Try using a sandpaper and a paint scraper to clean the surface.

2. Take Right Measurements

Take your time to measure carefully and perform measurements twice at a minimum for each side of the wall. Round up the measurements and add at least three inches in height to your selected baseboard to have a room for cutting. Don’t forget that outside corners need adding some extra space for measurements. Before going to the store for baseboards, add at least 7 percent to the length.

3. Paint

Normally, you can be able to find painted or at least primed baseboards that you can purchase and leave in your home for several days so it can get used to the indoor climate. In the meantime, you can paint the walls and allow them to completely dry. If you are unable to find painted baseboards, you can prime and paint them before installation.

4. Level

In most cases, the floor is leveled, but sometimes it is not. You can utilize a traditional bubble or laser level to know the lowest point, take measurements of the baseboard height against the wall, and draw a horizontal line to mark left and right sides and again use a level to make a straight line across. This will be the location your baseboards will rest at the time of installation.

5. Cut the Baseboards

Scarf joints are required to marry two long pieces. It will be wiser to ask store clerks to determine whether or not you need these joints according to your measurements as they can do it with the miter saws. The same is also applied for the inside corners as they need bevel cuts.

6. Fit the Baseboards

Check and test all the joints that they marry correctly before you apply the glue at the back of the baseboards. You must glue the long pieces at the joint before gluing them to the wall. Adherence will take a few minutes after which you can hammer baseboards in place with finish nails. The baseboards may have gaps and hole, which you can fill and cover using wood filler before sanding slightly and applying the last coat of paint.

If you have bought a new home for sale in Irvine and want to replace the existing baseboards, use these tips or hire professionals to make the job easy for you by giving a touch of enhancement to your beautiful home.

Author: April Lavine is a real estate agent broker in Irvine. She currently works with Irvine Residential Living, Orchard Hills homes, condos, townhomes for sale