Skirting board gap to floor.

purpleparrotuk

Hi. I’m removing engineered wood flooring in the house I have just purchased. To do this I needed to remove the skirting sitting on top because I want to fit carpets. When I put the skirting back on should I leave a gap between the skirting and the floorboards because of the dpc? This is in the lounge and 2 bedrooms and hallway. I am reading conflicting advice on the Internet. Thanks.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Are you sure your floorboards aren’t already above the DPC level?

purpleparrotuk

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

Are you sure your floorboards aren’t already above the DPC level?

Hi. How do I find that out? Silly question but is the dpc only on ground floor? There is a big gap under my floorboards if that helps?

kev25v6

You leave a gap from the skirting to the floor boards in case you have a water leak, the skirting is above the water level so it doesn’t soak it up.

tony6403

kev25v6 wrote: »

You leave a gap from the skirting to the floor boards in case you have a water leak, the skirting is above the water level so it doesn’t soak it up.

Never heard of this or seen it done.
Given that OP is having carpets ( presumably with underlay) I take it that this would require the skirting to be fitted about 25mm clear of the floorboards.
I would install the skirting in contact with the floorboards as in every property that I have worked on.

Tom99

tony6403 wrote: »

Never heard of this or seen it done.
Given that OP is having carpets ( presumably with underlay) I take it that this would require the skirting to be fitted about 25mm clear of the floorboards.
I would install the skirting in contact with the floorboards as in every property that I have worked on.

I would also agree with that way of doing it.

Clairabella

The skirting might not come off without damage, depending upon how its been fixed to the wall. Why not just lay the carpets over the engineered wood? Unless you are hoping to sell it?

chappers

purpleparrotuk wrote: »

Hi. I’m removing engineered wood flooring in the house I have just purchased. To do this I needed to remove the skirting sitting on top because I want to fit carpets. When I put the skirting back on should I leave a gap between the skirting and the floorboards because of the dpc? This is in the lounge and 2 bedrooms and hallway. I am reading conflicting advice on the Internet. Thanks.

how big is the gap with the flooring removed , you will get away with around 15mm . If you do refit the skirting then you don't need to leave any gap

anto164

Loads of hilarious advice posted already which some is rubbish.

In relation to the gaps for the skirting boards, you can probably remove them and put them lower, or, another option, is to get some ply to raise the level of the floor. Will be easier if you're not confident of getting the skirts off and back on again.

purpleparrotuk

Thanks for all the replies. I’m going to put the skirting as low as possible and put some builders caulk at the bottom if there are gaps.

Warwick_Hunt

purpleparrotuk wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies. I’m going to put the skirting as low as possible and put some builders caulk at the bottom if there are gaps.

No need to caulk the bottom.