How to Replace a Baseboard Over the Carpet

Baseboard trim tends to run tight against the surface of carpeting. This is the result of carpet installers placing the ends of carpets beneath the baseboard, concealing them for a better look for the edges of the carpet against the walls. When replacing the baseboard, an effort should be made to recreate this look, requiring you to mount the boards tight in return, while keeping them level. This isn’t a difficult process, but it can be a time-consuming one. After replacement, though, the new board will blend in with the room, adding a finishing touch to the wall while concealing the carpet edges once more.

Prybar
Claw hammer
Tape measure
Replacement baseboard
Circular saw
Miter saw
Finish nails
Wood putty
Putty knife
Fine-grit sandpaper
Tack cloth
Paint
Paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Place a nail set over the top of each nail in the baseboard and strike the set with a hammer to drive the nails as far into the baseboards as possible.
- 2
  Remove the existing baseboard by pulling it away from the wall with a pry bar. Place the pry bar beneath the baseboard against the wall and push the bar from the wall with pressure applied to the rear of the board. Leave the nails in place in the wall, pulling the board free from the nails securing it in position.
- 3
  Remove the nails from the wall with the claw end of the hammer, clearing the space for the new baseboard placement.
- 4
  Measure the length of the wall with a tape measure where you need to place the new baseboard. Cut the new board to fit the measured length using a circular saw.
- 5
  Cut angled ends to the board using a miter saw to fit corners, where opposite boards should be angled at 45 degrees. Sand and paint the board.
- 6
  Place the new board level against the wall on top of the carpet, with the base of the board flush against the carpet’s surface. Place a carpenter’s level on the baseboard to make certain that it's level. Secure the baseboard to the wall by driving finish nails through the board and into the walls at the location of every wall stud. You can locate the studs by running a stud finder over the wall surface.
- 7
  Drive the nails slightly beneath the surface of the baseboards with the nail set.
- 8
  Cover the holes in the surface of the baseboard with wood putty using a putty knife, and allow the putty to dry for two hours. Sand the putty smooth with fine-grit sandpaper, and wipe clean with a tack cloth.
- 9
  Paint the putty with a small paintbrush and paint the same color as the baseboard to conceal the nail locations. Allow the paint to dry overnight.

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