How to remove skirting boards

If you're thinking of laying a new floor or doing other types of interior decoration you may want to remove your skirting boards. Here's a guide on how to do that!

Level of difficulty

Level 2: Intermediate

What you need

  • Dust sheets
  • Safety goggles
  • Crowbar
  • Skirting boards
  • Tape measure
  • Hammer
  • Chisel
  • Nails
  • Pencil
  • Straight edge
  • Hacksaw

The steps to follow

  1. Cover your work area with dust sheets.
  2. You can either use a crowbar to lift the skirting board away from the wall. You can also remove skirting board using the following method: Slide the blade of chisel between the skirting board and the wall, insert a thin piece of wood block to create a gap where you’ll be able to saw off the board.

    Note:
    Skirting boards butted against door architraves are easier to lift off. Longer skirting boards, with ends joined in internal corners of walls, will first need to be sawed off then removed.
     
  3. Saw off the board at a 45 degree angle.
  4. If you plan to lift the top edge of the skirting board, carefully tap between the skirting board and the wall with a chisel and hammer.
  5. To avoid wall dents while you remove the skirting board with the chisel, insert a thin piece of wood between the blade of the chisel and the wall.
  6. Gently tap the side of the skirting board to loosen the nails that are holding the board to the wall.
  7. Remove the nails with pliers and take away the skirting board.

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Don't want to DIY? Get recommended flooring specialists for your home improvement job.

Please note that all our DIY guides and 'Expert answers' advice have been written strictly for reference only. Rated People do not accept any liability for any damage caused to an individual, property or anything else as a result of following our DIY guides and using our 'Expert answers' advice.