How do you remove a baseboard?

To remove a baseboard, coax a putty knife and a pry bar behind the board where the nail exists. Pry the baseboard off slightly at each nail, and then remove the board altogether. You need a utility knife, two wide putty knives, a pry bar and a nipper.

1. Cut the top edge of the baseboard

   Use a utility knife to remove any paint from the back of the top edge of the baseboard to leave a thin crack between the baseboard and the wall.

2. Locate the nails

   Locate each nail embedded into the baseboard, and mark each point.

3. Insert the first putty knife

   Insert the first putty knife behind the baseboard at the first nail location. Pry the board away from the wall slightly.

4. Insert the pry bar

   Insert the pry bar beside the putty knife.

5. Insert a second putty knife

   Insert a second putty knife behind the pry bar.

6. Pry away the baseboard

   Use the pry bar to pull the baseboard 1 inch away from the wall.

7. Repeat with the remaining nail locations

   Remove the putty knives and pry bar. Repeat the prying technique with the remaining nail locations.

8. Pull the baseboard off of the wall

   Return to the original nail location, and pull the baseboard off of the wall one nail at a time.

9. Remove the nails from the board

   Use a nipper to pull the nails from the board on the backside. Do not pull the nails out from the front.