Replacing wall molding is an inexpensive way to improve your home. Removing damaged or old molding and replacing it with brand new molding brings many rooms from ugly to grand in just a few days. If your home needs a makeover, think about replacing molding first. Sometimes it’s all you need to do to brighten up any room.
Wall molding adds clean lines to interiors by creating an even transition between walls and floors, hiding gaps between the drywall and flooring. But it must be installed properly. Use caulking, it really makes a big, big difference. These steps will tell you exactly how to replace wall molding professionally.
Step 1: Remove wall molding
Remove wall molding by cutting away the caulking on the top, and prying it off the walls with a pry bar and hammer.
Step 2: Remove nails
Remove all brad nails from the walls with a nail puller or pliers. Do not simply hammer them into the wall. You may drive a brad nail into one of the remaining nails with installing new wall molding.
Step 3: Measure new molding
Measure and cut the new molding you plan to install on your walls with a tape measure and pencil. Remember to add additional length on pieces extending to corners, as you will will miter cut the wall molding.
Step 4: Cut new molding
Cut the new wall molding with a miter saw so the edge of the cut on the inside lays flush with the corner of the wall. Cut the adjoining piece in the same way.
Step 5: Putting new molding
Press the wall molding flush to the wall and the floor. Drive a brad nail into the molding to secure it. If your floor curves, or dips, you must push the molding piece down to make it flush with the floor as you drive in brad nails every few feet or so. An air gun is the best way to drive in brad nails. It is cleaner and holds more securely than nails.
Repeat this process until all the molding is in place.
Step 6: Caulk the molding
Caulk the molding with silicone interior caulking. Run a thin bead along the top of the molding with a caulking gun. Let dry, or wipe the excess with a plastic card. NOTE: Wiping the caulking will leave some excess on the wall. If you plan to wipe away the excess with a plastic scraper or card, tape the wall first before caulking the molding. Or, plan to paint over the caulking with matching wall paint. Both leaves a clean looking finished molding.
After installing or replacing wall molding you will enjoy extremely clean transition lines that give you home a brand new look without a lot of expense.