How to Replace Wood Baseboards

Locate the first nail in the end of the baseboard securing the baseboard to the wall. Place the tip of a pry bar behind the baseboard against the wall to left of the nail if you're working on the right end of the board, or to the left of the nail if you're working on the left end of the board.

Push the pry bar as low as you can behind the baseboard, and then apply pressure to the baseboard, pushing it away from the wall and pulling the nail out with that section of the board in the process. Once you have the nail pulled about three-quarters of the way from the wall, move the pry bar down the baseboard to the next nail, placing it on the same side as the first.

Apply pressure to second nail as you did the first to pull it three-quarters of the way out, which should pull the first nail out entirely. Repeat the process nail by nail until you reach the end of the board, and then pull off the board entirely.

Examine the wall for any damage from the baseboard removal. Fill in any gouges or holes with wood filler, using a putty knife to push the filler into the hole and to scrape the surface of the wall and level out the filler. Allow the filler to dry for about two hours, and then sand the surface smooth with medium-grit sandpaper.

Locate and mark all wall studs, using a stud finder to locate the studs and a piece of chalk to mark the stud location onto the floor where you will still be able to see the mark once the board is in place.

Measure the length of the wall that you’re covering with the baseboard, using a tape measure. Cut your baseboard stock to fit the measurement. If an end of the board meets an inside corner, then cut the end of the board at a 45-degree angle with the rear of the board forming the base of the angle, longer than the board face. This allows both boards along both walls to join together tightly in the corner. You’ll need to do the same for boards ending at an outside corner, only adding the width of the board to the length before making your cut, with the base of the angle being the front of the board, making the front longer than the rear.

Place the baseboard against the foot of the wall. Holding the board in place, secure it to the wall with finish nails placed through the board at each wall stud location.