Reinstating decorators caulk

[Longshanks]

Hi
Have to reinstate some caulk between skirting and wall in conservatory.

Might seem obvious but do I have to remove all the old traces of the caulk or can I just fill in the gaps? In some areas the skirting board has pulled completely away and left a residue of caulk on the wall side, while in other areas it’s still attached but there is a thin crack between the filler and the wall.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[emilybronte]

If the old caulk is really secure, leave it be.

If it's not, get it all out and re-do.

 

[Longshanks]

Hi

Thanks for reply. Some of it is sound but a lost has broken up so guess will need to be flexible like the caulk was supposed to be.

Thanks

 

[Longshanks]

Hi again

Decided to remove the caulk replacing. Unfortunately it’s really tricky as in some areas the skirting has separated from the wall with the caulk attached to it, while elsewhere, the caulk has stuck to the wall and the skirting pulled away etc. I’ve never removed caulk before and it’s a nightmare trying to remove where it’s stuck to the wall without pulling the pain, plaster off.

With the wisdom of 20/20 hindsight could I have just replaced the caulk in the gaps without worrying about removing all traces of the old stuff?

Ta

 

[emilybronte]

Probably.

But if the gaps are that big you will not get a professional result unless you remove the skirting and put it back on properly with no gaps, or minimal ones.

Why were there gaps - was the skirting warped, or the conservatory wall bowed?

 

[Longshanks]

Hi.

This is what I've been told. It is not necessarily correct.

The guy who built our conservatory also did the plastering. When a different guy turned up to lay floor and skirting board turned up he said there might be issues as the skirting should have been done b4 the plasterin

He had to use a lot of caulk to fill in gaps between skirting and wall. He also advised us to check it for future movement, cracks etc.

That is the position I'm now in.

 

[emilybronte]

How wide are the gaps?

 

[Longshanks]

Hi

Have now added three pictures to my album. One is area where I have managed to remove most of old caulk. Two is where I have tried to remove but struggled to get the caulk from inside of skirting. Finally area which I haven't touched where you can see crack.

Thanks

 

[emilybronte]

Hi

Have now added three pictures to my album. One is area where I have managed to remove most of old caulk. Two is where I have tried to remove but struggled to get the caulk from inside of skirting. Finally area which I haven't touched where you can see crack.

Thanks

Sorry, how can I see the pictures?

And please just tell me how wide the gaps are (mm or inches, I don't mind!)!

 

[Longshanks]

I'm no expert on this image malarkey but if u click my name then it takes u to my profile where you can see my images. Gap varies between 1-2 cm.

Thanks

 

[emilybronte]

OK, seen the photos.

Caulk will not be up to this job - it's only really intended for gaps of a few mm.

If it was my wall,, I would remove the skirting and re-attach, making it follow the contour of the wall with bloody great screws and plugs where needed. Countersink the heads and fill with wood filler when in place.

If that is not an option, you will have to fill the gaps with newspaper or rags then a plaster-like filler, like Polyfilla (but Mangers or Toupret is better). You will probably need to build it up in two stages or it will never dry. Curve it upwards to meet the wall. Then sand it lightly and decorate.

 

[Longshanks]

Many thanks. Very helpful.

I guess the jury is still out on whether you fit skirting before or after plastering?

Cheers

 

[emilybronte]

Many thanks. Very helpful.

I guess the jury is still out on whether you fit skirting before or after plastering?

Cheers

In principle, you fit it after. But that presupposes that the plastering results in a flat wall!