We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Over time, our lovely skirting boards can suffer knocks, dings, or even water damage. Thanks to our friends at Skirting World Ltd, who are not just the leading providers of skirting boards in the UK but also experts on their maintenance, we have this handy guide to help you sort out that unsightly damage. Grab your tools, and let’s get those boards looking spick and span again!
1. Choose the Right Tools
To begin with, gather the tools you’ll need:
A crowbar or pry bar
A utility knife
A hammer
Some nails or screws
A saw (in case you need to trim the replacement skirting board)
Sandpaper
Paint or wood finish (to match the rest of your skirting)
2. Remove the Damaged Skirting Board
First, it’s always a good idea to score the top of the skirting board with your utility knife. This helps in preventing the paint or wallpaper from tearing. Next, wedge the pry bar behind the skirting board and gently ease it off. If your skirting board is nailed in place, you’ll feel some resistance, but a bit of gentle wiggling should help.
3. Preparing the Surface
Once you’ve removed the damaged section, make sure to clean up any residual nails, glue, or other fixatives. Sand the area to ensure it’s smooth and ready to receive the new skirting board piece.
4. Measuring and Cutting Your New Skirting Board
Here’s where that trusty saw comes in! Measure the gap where your old skirting board used to be and cut your new board to match. Remember, it’s always better to measure twice and cut once. If you’re using a board from Skirting World Ltd, rest assured it’s of top quality, making this step a breeze.
5. Fixing the New Skirting Board in Place
Using nails or screws, fix the new piece of skirting board to the wall. Ensure it fits snugly with its neighbours on either side. Once in place, sand any rough edges to ensure a seamless finish.
6. Finishing Touches
Now, all that’s left is to paint or finish your skirting board to match the rest of the room. Voila! It’ll look like nothing ever happened.