How to fit skirting board?

Ben1989

Hi all, removed some skirting board for plastering. The old skirting board was nailed on. 

How should I fit the skirting board? Do I need to apply some filler in the gap (see image)?

I’ll be applying MDF boards that are taller than the previous one 

Murmansk

Assuming you have enough overlap between the new skirting board and the plaster, drill holes and screw the new boards to the wall, adding some no more nails type stuff to where it joins the plaster. The screw holes should be countersunk so you can fill them with filler once fitted.

If there's any gap left, fill it with decorator's caulk as that's paintable and easy to apply.

flashg67

The hole looks quite deep so I'd be tempted to fill it - expanding foam ls makes a good adhesive too.... Where the wall touches the board I'd secure with hammer fixings, countersinking the hole first, eg https://www.screwfix.com/p/easyfix-nylon-hammer-fixings-8-x-120mm-10-pack/19157?

Ben1989

Thank you both. 

The worry with expanding foam is once applied it's a 'no going back' type of issue due to how tacky it is upon application.

Would using some cheap ready made plaster from SF suffice do you think?

travis-powers

Fill the gap with bonding, available from building merchants, easy to use just get it flat, leave for a day then screw boards to wall.

Ben1989

Thanks Travis, I'll take a look at that

danrv

Also brush some diluted PVA onto the brickwork before applying the bonding.
Helps it to stick. 
I picked up some from Screwfix and it's been useful for small plastering jobs.