NC wrote in message
...
All,
I am about to instal laminate across my entire flat and would like to
remove
the skirting in order to do a decent job of hiding the expansion gap.
Can anyone lend advise on how I should remove the skirting - it may be
either nailed or glued on - I'm not sure. However, the flat is only 3
years
old and there are no visible nails, so I am incluned to think that it may
be
glued.
Whats the best way to fix the skirting back ?? I like the idea of glue
(prob
from screwfix, but what type ???), but are they likely to 'fall' off after
a
few years ?? Are nails generally better ??

All help / advise very much appreciated.


It might be glued or nailed - most likely with a power nailer, with recessed
heads filled so as not to be visible.

Either way, be prepared for it not to come off non-destructively. [I
replaced all the skirting in my hallway when I fitted wooden flooring
earlier this year].

Besides destroying the existing skirting, you will probaly damage the
plaster in some places - so have some Pollyfilla ready.

When it comes to refitting the new skirting, GripFill works pretty well -
but may need to be supplemented by the odd screw if the wall isn't straight.

When fitting my new skirting, I cut and mitred it and then painted it
*before* sticking it on the wall. There is then no danger of getting paint
on the new flooring - and any slight gaps can be filled with a bead of
decorators' filler, and the paint touched up if necessary.

Besides removing the skirting, you will of course have to undercut the door
frames and achitraves so that the flooring can be slid underneath.

HTH,
Roger