Salvaging awful skirting boards

SaveSomeMore_2

I'm in the middle of having rooms plastered in my new (old) house and with the walls bare I'm noticing how bad the skirting boards are.

The plasterer has began plastering down to the boards already so its a bit late to remove/replace them in a lot of places.

Theres a few issues with them:
-one board has partially sunk under the level of an old plasterboard wall. If I wear to remove it though it wouldn't be flush with the doorframe. So by the time the walls reskimmed the wall will sit on the top, rather than the board sitting on the wall! Eaten by the wall!
-quite a few gaps when the skirting reaches door frames
-places where the corners haven't been mitred at all, just butted ip like this

In an ideal world I'd replace/reinstall but a. its a bit awkward with the plastering (and these have been all screwed in and painted over), b. I want to get carpets down ASAP and c. this house is already turning into a moneypit and even DIY the costs would be too much.

So are there any ways that I can at least tidy up these issues (i.e. good options for filling, moulding, sanding)? I can't say I'd normally notice the things, but I'm paranoid about it now!

Lungboy

It very common for walls to encroach on shirting boards (and picture rails) in old houses due to repeated reskimming, most of mine are like it. Once decorated, nobody but you will ever notice.

Doozergirl

New, taller, skirting boards when funds allow.

The labour involved in trying to do anything with previously poorly fitted boards isn't worth it, imo, especially if they've now sunk.

You can create reveals in skirting if they sit proud of the architrave.

Hoploz

I'd take off any where the plastering hasn't been done yet, and replace them. Good idea from Doozergirl to use a taller style that way you can rip the lot off and replace. Skirting boards aren't too expensive. It can be really hard work making old ones good. In fact, you can even get fully finished skirting boards which you just bung on, no need to paint, even.

SaveSomeMore_2

Lungboy wrote: »

It very common for walls to encroach on shirting boards (and picture rails) in old houses due to repeated reskimming, most of mine are like it. Once decorated, nobody but you will ever notice.

Thanks.

The worst bit is in a bedroom where it'll be hidden by furniture anyway.

Ideally I would've liked new skirting throughout but its more cost and time. Plus if I do manage to bring it forward it would sit proud like this which is another thing to fix.

I'll just try to tart them up a bit. They are holy and an awful yellow, so I'm sure getting them smooth and white will make a difference. For the gaps between skirting and door frames (1cm or less) is it best to just pack out with wood filler and sand to shape?

I don't think it'll bother me, I was just more worried about future buyers. Mind you its a very old house not an expensive newbuild, and if absolutely desperate a future buyer can lift the carpets, move the gripper rods in an inch, and refit the skirting.

phil24_7

SaveSomeMore wrote: »

Thanks.

The worst bit is in a bedroom where it'll be hidden by furniture anyway.

Ideally I would've liked new skirting throughout but its more cost and time. Plus if I do manage to bring it forward it would sit proud like this which is another thing to fix.

I'll just try to tart them up a bit. They are holy and an awful yellow, so I'm sure getting them smooth and white will make a difference. For the gaps between skirting and door frames (1cm or less) is it best to just pack out with wood filler and sand to shape?

I don't think it'll bother me, I was just more worried about future buyers. Mind you its a very old house not an expensive newbuild, and if absolutely desperate a future buyer can lift the carpets, move the gripper rods in an inch, and refit the skirting.

If you removed the old boards to fit the new ones you should be fine, and having them taller would hide any damage to the edge of the plaster (as long as they are removed with a little care).

phil24_7

Wood filler would be the way I would do it.

Doozergirl

A good, or even a reasonable chippy should mitre the ends and add another piece at 90 degrees where they sit proud so that you have a little reveal going back towards the architrave.

It isn't a problem, but I'd probably replace the architrave to do the best job.

It just seems a bit sad, going to the expense of skimming and then not finishing off the job properly.

It can be done at a later date.