On Nov 25, 9:07*pm, -MIKE- wrote:
On 11/25/10 7:54 PM, Father Haskell wrote:

On Nov 25, 8:33 pm, *wrote:
Baseboard moldings always have a cutout on the back side. *What is its
purpose?

Is it there to relieve cupping stresses?
Or maybe to just allow for flat placement over imperfections in the wall?
Anyone know the actually reason for this?

Yes, and yes. *Backing out makes sure the edges
of the trim contact the wall, even if the wood cups.

You'll still have to caulk it in, but not so heavily as
if it wasn't backed out. **Light* bead, lay down with a
wet finger, goes fast.

Thanks.

I really hate caulking trim. *To me, nothing says, "No one involved took
any pride in their work," like caulking the seems between wall and trim.

A neat caulking job SHOWS pride in your work. Cut the very
tip of the nozzle, just enough to lay a pencil-lead wide bead,
run the caulk fast, then hit with a wet finger. You don't notice
the caulk, you notice that the trim and wall look like one piece.