water damage on baseboards

Repairing modest water harm on baseboards is trickier than you might imagine. In fact, because baseboards are inexpensive, replacing them is a far amend solution.

But that's simply a small office of the overall problem.

Past the time you discover your baseboard damage, y'all're likely to have way more damage occurring behind the walls! And it can go a serious wellness issue.

Signs of Baseboard Water Damage

The signs of water damage to any of your walls, ceilings, floors, and baseboards (or trim) are like. This makes information technology piece of cake to spot regardless of where y'all see a possible issue.

  • Discoloration, staining, and peeling. Typically, these are the first visible signs of water harm. On painted materials, you'll first discover a alter in color followed past staining and/or peeling (bubbles) of the paint. On unpainted forest, this will be harder to detect. The skilful news is that the baseboard can be removed and refinished if this is all yous run across. So, a new piece is probably not needed.
  • Swelling or warping. If yous encounter a baseboard that has swelled or warped, a repair won't assistance. Y'all'll demand to supervene upon the baseboard with a new piece. The woods or fiberboard has soaked upward and then much h2o that information technology can not be fixed.
water damage on baseboards - swelling and warping
Observe how the baseboard has warped and the wall backside it has swollen. As well, in that location are stains on the baseboard. These are commons signs of water damage coming from behind the wall. At this point, the wall needs to exist restored by a professional.
water damage on baseboards - paint peeling and bubbling
Another sign of water damage on baseboards is when paint peels or bubbles. More important, discover the dark spots? This is mold that is already growing on the baseboard (and mayhap on the wall behind it). It needs to be opened upwardly and properly restored.

What is a Baseboard?

Baseboard is the trip that runs between the flooring and the wall. Information technology usually is betwixt 3 and 8 inches tall and comes in a variety of materials and styles.

Although it is a decorative piece of trim, its primary function is to hide the openings (or misalignments) between the bottom edge of the wall and the floor.

Parts of a Baseboard

In most cases, the parts of (or associated with) a baseboard include:

  • Wall. Drywall is a common fabric used to create the wall that the baseboard is attached to. However, the wall can be plaster, wood, or any other edifice cloth.
  • Stud. A stud is a vertical support that the wall is attached to. It is part of the frame of the house. Because it is sturdy and almost ever made of woods, information technology is a bang-up identify to anchor items onto the wall (trim, paintings, shelving, etc.) with a blast or other fastening tool.
  • Baseboard molding. Baseboard and baseboard molding is i in the same. A baseboard tin can exist plain or "molded" to be more than decorative.
  • Stop boom. Stop nails, or finishing nails, are thicker than brad nails. This makes them stronger but also more than difficult to remove, which makes them perfect for nailing down baseboards and other trim items (the trim effectually doors) that get lots of abuse.
  • Shoe molding. Too called a "base shoe," shoe molding is a strip of material that attaches to the lesser of the baseboard. Information technology'due south usually thin, curved (or rounded), and gets painted the same color as the baseboard.
water damage on baseboards - examples of base shoe molding
Two examples of base shoe molding that attached to a sample baseboard. Notice how both the baseboard and the base of operations shoe can have decorative molding.

Considerations Before Repairing a Water-Damaged Baseboard

Consider these recommendations to brand your project go smoother and faster.

  • Earlier you practice anything else, find out how the baseboard got wet and damaged. The source of the problem needs to be fixed immediately. Once the leak has been fixed, you tin can move forrad with a baseboard repair.
  • In almost cases, you'll need a professional water damage professional to check behind the walls for wet damage and mold. Proper remediation isn't e'er possible with residential fans and humidifiers. Often, more than powerful commercial models are needed.

Now that we take those of import considerations made articulate, here's how yous would set simply the baseboard.

  1. Take a piece of the old molding when shopping for a replacement. Older homes often have unlike styles of baseboard. Newer homes tend to stick to just one way. Make sure you lot discover a suitable replacement.
  2. If it doesn't already have it, consider calculation base shoe molding. Information technology will protect the baseboard from scuff marks. And it's flexible plenty to rise and fall with uneven floor.
  3. When cut miters, bring your miter box shut to the job and set it up beside the angle you are cutting. It will allow you lot to orient the bending in the miter box to the angle needed for the baseboard.
miter box for cutting wood at an angle - water damage on baseboards
A miter box (too spelled "mitre") is an inexpensive device that allows you to cutting materials at an angle. You'll need to do this when replacing a baseboard that attaches to a corner piece.

Replace a Water-Damaged Baseboard in 7 Steps

You'll need intermediate carpentry skills to handle this project. Information technology will take y'all about 45 minutes plus some fourth dimension for finishing (painting, etc.). Also, you'll need a hammer, cease nails, putty knife, pry bar, pliers, miter box, and a backsaw.

  1. Make sure the wall is dry!

    Be absolutely sure that the wall backside the baseboard is dry and the plumbing leak has been repaired. Do this before you do anything else. Again, you should call a h2o impairment professional person to make certain you don't have water damage and mold behind your walls (it'south a really expert chance that you practice). This can lead to a dangerous health state of affairs.

  2. Salve the existing base of operations shoe

    If you want to salve the existing base shoe at the bottom of the baseboard, you don't want to effort to remove the nail. Instead, drive the finish nail all the way through the base shoe with a boom set.

  3. Remove the baseboard

    Pry off the baseboard and acme molding past inserting a putty knife, then a pry bar. Pull out the nails with your pliers.

  4. Mensurate

    This is of import. Mensurate carefully. Add 1/16-inch to the length and spring the molding into place and so it fits tightly.

  5. Cutting new baseboards

    Yous can cut the baseboards with an inexpensive miter box and backsaw. Again, make sure you measured at least twice before cut.

  6. Adhere baseboard to wall.

    Drill airplane pilot holes and bulldoze the terminate nails into the studies and sole plate. Glue the outside corners.

  7. Attach the base shoe molding

    Place the salvaged (or new) base of operations shoe molding at the foot of the baseboard and attach information technology. Drill pilot holes and nail it to the baseboard or floor — simply not both! The base shoe volition embrace any unsightly floor irregularities and protect the baseboard.

attaching baseboard to corner wall - water damage on baseboards
Example of an unfinished baseboard being measured to fit a corner wall.

Final Thoughts: H2o Damage on Baseboards

Baseboards are tricky to repair considering water damage virtually always creates problems that can't be stock-still. This is especially true if they accept bloated or warped. In those cases, replacement is the only solution.

Just more disquisitional, y'all actually need to telephone call a water damage restoration specialist (or a plumber with water damage experience) if you lot experience this problem. It is highly probable that you lot have more (and bigger) problems on the inside of your walls than on your baseboards.

Resources

  • How to deal with water damage (3 scenarios!)
  • Signs of water harm in walls
  • Prevent water damage to your abode
  • Common causes of water impairment in the domicile
  • Does homeowners insurance encompass water harm?
  • Toilet failure is a leading cause of h2o impairment
  • What causes basement flooding?
  • Water damage services

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don't hesitate to contact united states here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (one-866-758-6237) if yous need assist with any kind of overflowing or h2o damage in your home.

one-Tom-Plumber's certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water impairment problem. We also handle the excavation of undercover water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every twenty-four hour period and night of the year, fifty-fifty on holidays.