I'm in the process of replacing the baseboards in my sunroom, but I've discovered that the previous baseboards were put in before the tile flooring was laid down. This has left me with a frustrating gap that's about 3/4" to 1" deep and wide. I'm brainstorming ways to fill this gap before installing my new baseboards. I initially thought about using caulk, but that seems like it could get messy and require a lot of it. I also considered using insulation rope with caulk, but that might also be problematic. Now I'm leaning towards low expansion foam, but my husband worries it might expand too much and be a hassle to deal with. I'm thinking of using tape on the tile so it doesn't stick and then cutting the foam level with the tile. What do you all think? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
3 Answers
One option is to use a quarter round to cover the gap between the tile and the baseboards. This is actually a common fix when people remove carpet or flooring. It can really help tidy up the look. Also, if you take a pic, consider using an image hosting site like Imgur to share it here!
I'm planning to replace my baseboard with a 1x8 board without a shoe mould, but I doubt that'll cover the gap since it leads to the subfloor too. That’s what happens when baseboards are put on before tiling!
Why not use an oscillating tool to cut the old baseboards flush with the tile instead of trying to rip them out? You don’t actually need to fill the gap left; if you put in baseboards of the same thickness, they'll cover any gap underneath.
I wish I had thought of that! I've been trying to cut with an oscillating tool, but it's not going well because the baseboards are made of this cardboard material. I might need to get new blades! I managed to get two out of three walls, but it’s been a struggle.
Great suggestion! If I'd known how well it would work, I would have definitely tried that before things went south.
Just pull out the baseboard—after giving that installer a solid smack! Seriously though, once you’ve laid the floor down properly, go ahead and replace the baseboard. It might cost a little more than quarter round, but you’ll thank yourself later for doing it right.
That's a good idea! It's definitely less messy and should avoid complications.