nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

How to replace a skirting board?

Innov8tive

I'm removing this skirting board. Already know how to get it off. Looking for advice to replace it.

I do not want to attach with a nail gun so what other methods can I use to attach it securely?

I already have the circular saw to cut the skirting board to its specified size.

Also what silicone will be best to use after installation.

On a small budget for this job and needs repair within 48 hours.

Thank you.

Find more posts tagged with

Tools and Materials

Repairing

Accepted answers

All comments

EricL

Hello @Innov8tive

Thank you for sharing your question about your skirting board. My best advice is to look carefully at the replacement piece and making sure that it is straight and not bowed. It's not necessary to use a nail gun to attach the skirting board to the wall. You can use an ordinary hammer and nail such as the https://www.bunnings.com.au/paslode-20-x-1-25mm-100g-bright-bullet-head-nails-460-pack_p2360358 . The purpose of the nail is to hold the skirting board in place while the adhesive cures. Another option is to use a screw such as the https://www.bunnings.com.au/zenith-8g-x-30mm-countersunk-rib-head-chipboard-screws-100-pack_p2408414 . Please keep in mind that the heads of both the nail and screw will need to be covered with a filler, so you don't see them when painting over the skirting board.

I recommend looking at using https://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-420g-liquid-nails-fast-grab-strong-adhesive_p1230096 to stick the skirting board in place.

Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves and goggles when working on your project.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Innov8tive

@EricL

Thank you. I do have a few other questions. As I mentioned what silicone would you recommend once the job is complete?

Judging from the current skirting board what would you recommend as an identical replacement.

Thank you.

EricL

Hello @Innov8tive

My apologies for missing that question. I recommend looking at https://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-475g-no-more-gaps-interior-multipurpose-gap-filler_p1230010 to cover any gaps in the skirting board. I recommend using the same profile to keep the look of the skirting board identical to the rest.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Innov8tive

@EricL

No worries. Thanks for the help.

Innov8tive

@EricL

I've come across an issue. Removed the skirting board and on the left side - gyprock is totally missing which means there is nothing to fasten the skirting board in that area.

I've seen wooden blocks go behind where it is not secure so there is something to fasten to but I'm not sure about that method for this issue.

It looks like it is a result of water damage gone too long making it rot away completely.

Any suggestions for a fix before fixing the skirting board?

EricL

Hello @Innov8tive

Before we make any recommendations, would it be possible to post a photo of the wall? This will give our members a better idea of its current state. If the water damage is too severe and the studs have completely rotted away, I would suggest engaging the services of a builder to rectify the damaged section of your wall. But before that, I would also suggest engaging the services of a leak detection specialist so that they can track down where the water is coming from.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Innov8tive

@EricL

That's the best image I have of this wall. I can see partially one of the timber studs and it is quite well intact.

I feel the leak came from the shower which was not silicones at the time.

EricL

Helo @Innov8tive

I'm so sorry, can I please ask for one more photo of the wall where the skirting board was attached to. We need to see the bottom damaged section of the wall where the wood has rotted. To be specific where the skirting board was attached to.

Thank you,

Eric

@EricL sure

Hop

Hello @Innov8tive

It's possible that small section was damaged by a leak from your shower cubicle. I propose removing the old silicone sealer at the bottom and resealing it with new silicone before you begin your repairs. Once the shower has been re-sealed, I suggest reaching inside the hole and touching the left-hand side of the back of the shower tray. This is to confirm that there is a timber stud in that corner. If there is, I suggest cutting a small piece of timbre about 45x45 and screwing it onto the stud. This will serve as a mounting point for the repair piece you'll be using to cover the hole. My best advice is to make sure it is at the same level as the stud on the other side.

The suggested steps for covering the whole are to cut a mall piece of timber or plaster to cover the hole. Glue the repair piece onto the exposed sections of the stud, you can either screw or nail it in place. Once fixed in place seal the joints with a filler, then prime and paint the surface. Once the paint has cured you can then place the skirting board over the area and make sure to seal all the gaps with the suggested sealer.

Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @DIY4Knuckleheds for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Nailbag

Hi @Innov8tive

Skirting isn't attached to just the plasterboard. It's fastened to the timber frame behind. Looking at the hole, there doesn't appear to be a bottom plate which is the bottom part of the internal timber frame that run along the bottom. What you can see is the bottom of one of the vertical studs. That will be the first fixing point for the skirting using a nail.

To find the others along the wall. they are typically spaced at 450mm centres. use a nail through the plaster to locate them. Mark them with a pencil on the floor. Drilling pilot holes in the new skirting makes it easier to drive the nails in.

Skirting only comes in 5.4m lengths. You need to use a hardwood moulding like pine and NOT MDF being a wet area or it will expand and rot. A Bunnings team member can help you match the profile and cut it down to a manageable length to take home. Note they can't cut the mitres for you. So don't have it cut to actual length, you will need to do that at home. Ensure you undercoat the skirting especially the ends.

Use a wet area white silicone to fill any gaps in the mitre joins and along the floor. Then fill the nailheads before painting.

Nailbag

Innov8tive

@EricL

Thanks for the advice. If I have any further questions I will let you know.

Dave-1

Good Morning @Innov8tive

@EricL and @Nailbag have suggested the steps I was going to :) The timber block that @EricL has suggested will be a good fastening point once you have it in.

Oh and I just used a hammer and 50mm bullet head nails when i installed my skirting. I then went along the top with the silicone to get rid of the unevenness of the plaster to the skirt (was so surprised to find out its rarely dead straight)

Dave

Innov8tive

@Nailbag

It comes in 2.5 at my local Bunnings as well. I definitely would not touch MBF in a water zone so yes pine would be the go here for sure. I knew I would need to do most of the cutting at home and just planned on taking it to get cut but not to size.

I have a stud finder so will be using that to locate studs and then mark them before selling pilot holes for nails. Thanks for the advice.

Innov8tive

@Dave-1

It is rarely straight. I'm having the shower re siliconed so once skirting is installed I'm just going to get them to silicone that as well since they are already here.

Innov8tive

@EricL

Can you recommend a filler to seal the joints please?

MitchellMc

Hi @Innov8tive,

https://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-300g-white-wet-area-waterproof-silicone-sealant_p1230981 is suitable in the shower and https://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-475g-no-more-gaps-interior-multipurpose-gap-filler_p1230010 is suitable for the skirting board.

Here's a helpful guide: How to apply silicone sealant.

Mitchell

Innov8tive

@MitchellMc

Can I use that gap filler for the joints between the skirting board and 45x45 as @EricL mentioned above?

MitchellMc

Hi @Innov8tive,

The 45 x 45mm timber would be inside the wall cavity and entirely hidden by the skirting board. I can't see a need to use gap filler between them. You would use the gap filler between the skirting board and the wall.

If anything, you might use a construction adhesive between the skirting board and 45 x 45mm timber, but screwing or nailing the skirting board to it should be sufficient.

Mitchell

Noyade

"I have a stud finder so will be using that to locate studs and then mark them before selling pilot holes for nails."- @Innov8tive

To my eyes - nail positions are here - plus you can confirm by looking at your removed piece of skirting.

Thank you.

Good spotting. Though I'm going to use the stud finder. This house was built so dodgy. You have a small problem to repair and then you go to fix and discover a bigger problem because dodgy jobs are not always visible until you have to do a repair.

So I'm going to do it properly to make darn sure the skirting will be nailed centre to studs.

Innov8tive

@EricL

Your solution isn't going to work to well. There's nothing to bond the 45 x 45 too here. I'm going to perhaps have too look.imto another solution.

@Dave-1 @Noyade @Nailbag

Any ideas

Nailbag

Hi @Innov8tive

If this is your long term home, I would be taking the bottom left-hand section of plasterboard off and dealing with what appears to be rotting timbers. Otherwise, if you're just wanting a coverup, simply fitting the skirting as per your original plan will suffice. @Noyade is spot on with the locations of the studs by identifying the existing nails.

Personally I would be fixing the internal wall damage first.

Nailbag

Innov8tive

@Nailbag not my long term home but preparing it for selling. I'm going to get a pro in for the bit you are taking about. This is not my area. Do I need a plasterer as well as a builder?

Innov8tive

@Nailbag

not my long term home but preparing it for selling. I'm going to get a pro in for the bit you are taking about. This is not my area. Do I need a plasterer as well as a builder?

Dave-1

Afternoon @Innov8tive

:/ bugger. That looks like a lot of long term rot/damage from the shower leaking.

If you know the shower has stopped leaking you could cut around 30- 60cm depending of plaster horizontally off that wall. Then clean up and use something like Earl's 250ml Wood Hardener (Seen use of it on their Facebook page and it looks outstanding) The Wood hardener is to help stop in rotting further. Then depending if the baseboard is there at all you should really replace it as it will stabilise that wall. Then you extend the studs from where the timber is solid down to the base board. Then its a matter of replacing the plaster and the skirt.

Dave

MitchellMc

Hi @Innov8tive,

As @Nailbag has touched on, the priority has now shifted from how to fix the skirting back in place, to how much structural damage has occured in the walls. In the image below, I've highlighted the remains of a wall stud, which likely is what the skirting once fixed into.

It appears most of the loose decayed stud has fallen away, but you should take a screw driver and start poking the bottom of the stud. If the stud timber is rotten and soft, then you really need, as Nailbag mentioned, to open the wall and replace timbers. That will also give you the additional point to mount your skirting onto.

Mitchell

Innov8tive

@MitchellMc I know when I'm in above my head and I'm going to call a professional in as this isn't something I'm prepared to mess with myself.

I can see the wood is rotted through - it just falls away when touched. It is not due to lack of care on my part. Previous owners basically didn't give a damn about the house to be honest and the property has been completely mismanaged in the past. I did my best. Time for the pros.