# How do I remove baseboards....
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-baseboards/501198
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [June 27, 2009, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-baseboards/501198 "2009-06-27T21:05:03Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2009, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-baseboards/501198/1 "2009-06-27T21:05:03Z")
…without demolishing the drywall to which it is attached?
I’m looking at putting in a laminate floor to replace some ratty carpeting, and while the baseboards could use a good painting, other than that they’re fine. If I could get them off and reuse them, that would be nice.
But more importantly, how do I avoid putting a bunch of crowbar-dents in my wall just above the baseboards?
-Joe
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### Author:  [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-baseboards/501198/2 "2009-06-27T21:36:30Z")
Why not just put the laminate over the baseboards? Or do you mean skirting boards?
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### Author:  [@mike\_ahndembroak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mike_ahndembroak)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-baseboards/501198/3 "2009-06-27T21:46:23Z")
Try putting a wood shingle between the crowbar and the drywall it will help disperse the pressure over a wider area
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### Author:  [@Add99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Add99)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2009, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-baseboards/501198/4 "2009-06-27T22:24:01Z")
If there is carpet down now, is there a gap under the baseboards into which the carpet is tucked (typical installation)? Normally a 1/2" gap or so. The laminate may slip under. Normally the baseboard is left in place. If needed a shoemould (quarter round) is added. Otherwise, an uncrushable slim item, metal or wood under the small flatbar (wonderbar). Cut the caulk on the top edge first or you will pull the paint right up the wall. It can be destructive. I would advise leaving them.
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### Author:  [@moldmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moldmonkey)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-baseboards/501198/5 "2009-06-27T22:40:34Z")
A flexible, fairly wide putty knife between the drywall & wonder bar works well.
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### Author:  [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2009, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-baseboards/501198/6 "2009-06-27T22:47:10Z")
> [@mike\_ahndembroak](#):
>
> Try putting a wood shingle between the crowbar and the drywall it will help disperse the pressure over a wider area
A[large metal putty knife](http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100031599)works better if used with one of those [wide pry bars](http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100093815). I had to remove a buttload of baseboard one time in a house that was having the hardwood floor refinished. Tap in the knife, pull away from the wall to create a bit of clearance, drop in the pry bar and lift.
Something else that I found is the nails will likely remain behind instead of coming out with the baseboard. I just drove them into the wall and filled the holes left in the baseboard.
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### Author:  [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2009, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-baseboards/501198/7 "2009-06-28T02:38:07Z")
Try to find the studs where the baseboard is nailed in, and begin there, using the stud to pry against – naturally, having protected the wallboard with a piece of wood, or some such, as everyone else has suggested. Go gently from one stud to the next and ease the baseboard out, wiggling it loose if you can.
Then, at the end, when you have the baseboard out, take the nails out through the _back_ of the baseboard, not the face. Use a pair of side-cutting pliers to grab them close to the wood, and lever them out – all the way through the wood, in other words. Sounds counterintuitive, but it leaves a smaller exit wound than if you try to take them out through the face.
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### Author:  [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2009, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-baseboards/501198/8 "2009-06-28T02:58:42Z")
Don’t remove baseboard molding unless you have to. It can be a lot more trouble then its worth. Typically when reflooring you leave the baseboard in place and use quarter round to cover the new transition.
Laminate flooring’s will have very specific information on how to install it and how they expect the edges to be done. Most laminate flooring’s are installed floating and will need a gap to allow for expansion and contraction. The gap is usually a half inch your standard baseboard(1/2) does not always do the best job covering it.
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### Author:  [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)
#### Post date: [June 28, 2009, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-remove-baseboards/501198/9 "2009-06-28T02:59:56Z")
I’ve seen people use a metal dust pan. Wedge it between the baseboard and wall and then use the crowbar.