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How to remove skirting boards

A person prising off a skirting board using a wrecking bar

Overview

Removing skirting board is a quick and simple job with the right tools and know-how. We show you how to loosen the skirting with a chisel and pry it off using a wrecking bar. We'll also give you a few tips to help protect the surface of the wall.

Steps

1Loosen the skirting board

Run your trimming knife along the top of the skirting board where it joins the wall. This keeps any paint on your wall from sticking to the skirting. Then use the hammer to gently ease the chisel between the skirting and wall. Start at one end and work your way along, loosening the board as you go.
A person cutting along the top edge of a skirting board using a trimming knife

2Pry the skirting off the wall

Once the skirting board is loose, use the wrecking bar to pry it off the wall. The most effective way is to push off against the wall studs. Using the wall stud for support also helps protect the plaster from being damaged. When all the nails are out of the wall, the board should come away easily.
A person prising off a skirting board using a wrecking bar
Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.