dyintorace
dyintorace GRM+ Memberand UberDork
12/11/13 7:03 p.m.

We are going to buy an upright freezer. In order to prepare for its arrival, I need to pop off the wood baseboard in the alcove it is going into (in order for it to fit). Can anyone offer me some instructions on how to do so gently, in order not to damage the drywall it is presently attached to?

Thanks!

SVreX
SVreX MegaDork
12/11/13 7:12 p.m.

First, cut the paint/ caulk at the top edge with a utility knife. Now, do it again.

Then wiggle a flat pry bar behind it. Do it slowly, pay attention to the feel. If you feel it starting to push through, move to a different spot. You should have 2 flat bars. Alternate prying between them, moving along.

For insurance, you can put a 6" wide putty knife behind your pry bars.

If the tile floor is not laid in front of the baseboard, you should be able to wiggle it off. If it is, it's pretty hard to save the molding (but it can be done, by prying UP, and pulling the nails vertically with it)

patgizz
patgizz GRM+ Memberand UberDork
12/11/13 7:40 p.m.

invest in a "painter's bar" from the home center. i all but retired my 6" flat bar when i picked mine up. i also do the wide putty knife behind the bar if necessary. other than that, what he said.

Rad_Capz
Rad_Capz HalfDork
12/11/13 7:43 p.m.

As mentioned above but drive the nails through the trim before removing to save the trim with a thin nail set.

poopshovel
poopshovel MegaDork
12/11/13 7:53 p.m.

Putty knife + hammer have always worked well for me. Good for prying and cutting through some lil bitchass finish nails. YMMV.

Slippery
Slippery GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
12/11/13 8:01 p.m.

I usually do what svrex said and place a piece of wood between the pry bar and wall. I use a piece of extra baseboard that I have.

dyintorace
dyintorace GRM+ Memberand UberDork
12/11/13 8:23 p.m.

Done! Thanks for the tips. Successfully pulled the baseboard without punching any holes in the drywall.

Derick Freese
Derick Freese UltraDork
12/12/13 2:16 a.m.

I've always kept some paint stirrers around for prying against drywall. Never had any damage that way.

dj06482
dj06482 GRM+ Memberand Dork
12/12/13 5:12 a.m.

If possible, pry where the finish nails are (there should be a stud directly behind them).

Streetwiseguy
Streetwiseguy UberDork
12/12/13 7:03 a.m.

The baseboards in my house were installed with 2 2 inch finishing nails every 16 inches, and were installed before the drywall was mudded..

I didn't save any of them.

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