How to remove skirting boards without breaking tiles?

[Sassa]

  

I would like to install plasterboard sheets onto my internal painted brick walls. The floor tiles are laid against the skirting boards, rather than the skirting boards installed on top of the tiles. How do I best remove the skirting boards so I can install the plasterboard, ideally without damaging the tiles? (As the next project I want to lay a floating floor on top of the tiles)

[JacobZ]

Hi @Sassa,

Thank you for your question about removing skirting boards in your home.

The risk of damaging your tiles is fairly low as there is a layer of flexible sealant used between the skirting boards and the tiles.

I'd suggest using a hammer to tap a prybar down into the groove behind the top edge of the skirting board. Once it is firmly behind the skirting board, you can lever it off the wall.

It is likely not necessary, but if the sealant is holding the skirting board in place, you may need to cut it away from the skirting with a utility knife. Please remember to wear gloves, long protective clothing and eye protection to reduce the risk of lacerations.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[Sassa]

Hi Jacob,

thanks for your reply. Unfortunately there is no flexible sealant between the tiles and skirting boards, but standard grout was used to fill the gap between tiles and skirts.

Could I cut off the boards so I don’t have a gap between the walls and the tiles and don’t break the tiles?

[JacobZ]

Hi @Sassa,

Even if it is grout, you won't damage the tiles by removing the skirting. You may crack the grout, but this is not really a big deal as it can be replaced fairly easily. If you'd like to avoid this, you could just remove the grout with a Grout Saw before prying the skirting board off the wall.

Yes, you can cut the skirting board so it runs in line with the flooring, but this would realistically be more work than removing the skirting. If you'd like to go with this option, you can use a multitool with a plunge cutting blade to cut the skirting board.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[Sassa]

Hi Jacob,

thanks, sounds good!

So if I fully remove the skirting board, that’ll leave a channel between the wall and the tiles. Should i fill this with something like self levelling grout to the level of the tiles, so I have a level base from which I can install the plaster board?

[EricL]

Hello @Sassa 

If there is a channel between the tiles and the wall, filling it with grout should be ok. This is on the condition that the gap is not very large, but if the gap is more than 10mm. It will be necessary to use a grout that can fill a large gap such as the Lanko 5kg 702 Durabed Structural Grout. Please note that this grout is grey in colour.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Sassa]

Hi Eric,

the skirting boards are 20mm thick so the channel/gap will be at least that wide. I’ll try the structural grout, thank you so much for your advice!