Replace a Section of Baseboard
Water damage, pet damage, or just a renovation seam — replacing baseboard yourself is cheaper than hiring a finish carpenter, and the cuts are forgiving with caulk.
Tools
- ✓Putty knife protects the wall
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- ✓Or hammer + 6d finish nails
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Materials
- +Match the existing profile — bring a scrap to the home center for matching. Pre-primed MDF is cheapest; primed pine is paintable; oak is for stain-grade
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Steps
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1
Remove the old section
Slide a putty knife behind the baseboard to protect the wall, then a pry bar behind that. Work along the length gently — don't lever from one spot.
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2
Measure and cut
Measure twice. Outside corners: 45° miter cuts. Inside corners (preferred): butt one piece square, then cope the second piece to fit over it. Coping requires a coping saw — for first-timers, two 45° miters at an inside corner are fine and easier.
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3
Test-fit
Hold the new piece against the wall. Trim small amounts if needed — better too long than too short.
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4
Nail it on
Brad nailer makes this trivial. Drive brads at an angle through the bottom edge into the bottom plate of the wall (more solid than nailing into drywall). Set nails every 16" (into studs if you can find them) and at each end.
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5
Caulk the seams
Bead of paintable caulk along the top edge where baseboard meets wall, and at any inside corner joints. Smooth with a damp fingertip.
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6
Fill nail holes and paint
Dab wood filler in the nail holes, sand smooth when dry, touch up with matching paint.