Baseboards and trim can get wedged tightly in corners and stubbornly stick to your walls. This becomes a problem when you need to remove them, since a regular pry bar won't remove them without causing damage to your wallpaper, paint, and walls (especially drywall). You may even want to save the trim or baseboard for future projects, but it might seem impossible to remove them without breaking them. If you're looking for a way to leave both your walls, baseboards, and trim unharmed, you'll need patience, care, and the right tools as described below:
Tools You Will Need
Hammer
Utility Knife
Pencil
Side-cutter pliers
Safety Eyeglasses (wear at all times during removal)
Tarp or Plastic Sheet
*1 Flexible EdgWedge Pry Bar
*Flexible EdgeWedge pry bars allow you to easily remove the baseboards with their beveled edges made of tough, but flexible plastic. This allows them to easily slide back and forth without marring the walls or baseboard/trim, unlike putty knifes and metal screwdrivers. The EdgeWedge's heads can also be sharpened with a file for thinner edges. Made in America, the EdgeWedge pry bar set is durable and built to last for all trim and baseboard jobs.
1. Cut any caulk along the baseboard with your utility knife, right where it meets the wall. This well help you avoid destroying any paint, drywall, or wallpaper on the wall. Make sure to score along the complete length of the baseboard so that it will detach more easily from the wall in the later steps. Remember not to rush: patience is key.
2. Now it's time to use your EdgeWedge of choice. There are three main shapes: a long chisel, a shorter chisel, and a "mushroom" shaped blade. Place your chosen EdgeWedge pry bar behind the trim or baseboard and wiggle the pry bar tool while pulling it toward you (away from the wall). Continue to do this, carefully prying and moving along the whole length of the board, until it comes completely free from the wall. This can take a while, so again, patience is a virtue here. This is also where a hammer might come in handy. If you are having trouble with the wedge or blade getting stuck in tight trim spots, you can tap the handle lightly to sink it in a little farther and get more leverage.
3. When you have loosened the whole length of the trim, pull one end out from the wall carefully.
4. Rock the trim back and forth, slowly backing away from the wall and standing up. It will eventually release, but you don't want to rush this process.
5. When removing each piece, put a number on the back of each one. This is an important step to avoid mixing up the boards when using them again. This will help you put everything back in order when reinstalling without stress or wasted time.
6. Continue the process until you've removed all the pieces you need to. Remember, if you have a EdgeWedge set, three pry bar styles are available to use so you can use the proper tool for each position.
7. Once you've removed the boards from the wall, you can pull those pesky finishing nails right out - this is when your side-cutter pliers will be useful. Be sure to look around your area for lost nails or anything else that could be a hazard.
8. Run your EdgeWedge across the length of the wall where the baseboards used to be. This will scrape away any additional adhesive and make way for your renovations. Then, when transporting your baseboards, have a second person help you if the board is very long - you don't want them to snap in half. Of course, if you aren't planning on using the boards, feel free to dispose of them promptly.
Removing trim or baseboards without damage can be a tricky task, but it doesn't have to be. Whether you are concerned about the paint, the drywall, the wallpaper, the trim, or anything else, you can remove the trim or baseboard safely and easily without damaging anything. Whether you're a professional or amateur, just be sure to use the right tools, like the General Tools EdgeWedge!
