Suggestions for baseboard install


  #1  
Old 07-14-20, 11:21 AM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 40
Upvotes: 0
Received 1 Upvote on 1 Post
Suggestions for baseboard install

Hi all,

Getting ready to install some baseboards after I finish up tiling and grouting. The baseboards don't lay perfectly flat over the tile though. Wondering if it's acceptable to caulk the bottom of the baseboards to fill this gap or if I should try to trim/sand/edge the bottom of the baseboards to make them fit more seamlessly.

Welcome suggestions. I tried to upload a photo but the site wouldn't let me (standard JPG can try it again later).

Thanks!
 
  #2  
Old 07-14-20, 11:27 AM
PJmax's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Jersey
Posts: 64,811
Received 3,922 Upvotes on 3,518 Posts
Follow this.............................. How-to-insert-pictures.

Getting ready to install some baseboards
I was thinking baseboard heat. You're asking about baseboard molding... correct ?
 
  #3  
Old 07-14-20, 12:20 PM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 40
Upvotes: 0
Received 1 Upvote on 1 Post
Yes baseboard moulding.

Still not able to upload images here for some reason so I uploaded it here
 
  #4  
Old 07-14-20, 12:30 PM
PJmax's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Jersey
Posts: 64,811
Received 3,922 Upvotes on 3,518 Posts
Sorry.... we can't see that link. I can see part of the address but not the domain name.
If it's a domain not allowed here it will be hidden from view.

Post the actual link with spaces so it doesn't get truncated.

 
  #5  
Old 07-14-20, 12:32 PM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 40
Upvotes: 0
Received 1 Upvote on 1 Post
Go to ibb DOT co and then /grPvm4b for the image

 

Last edited by PJmax; 07-14-20 at 12:52 PM. Reason: added pic from link
  #6  
Old 07-14-20, 01:17 PM
M
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA - N.E.Tn
Posts: 45,643
Received 832 Upvotes on 729 Posts
A long time ago I used to caulk the bottom of base/shoe to the floor but left unpainted it will show dirt in no time. I'd either leave it as is or install shoe mold. Shoe mold is a little more flexible and can be pressed down where it needs to be. There still may be a slight gap.
 
  #7  
Old 07-14-20, 01:20 PM
XSleeper's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 27,045
Received 1,905 Upvotes on 1,711 Posts
I would mask the tile off with painters tape, then mask the baseboard about 1/8" up from the bottom edge (to keep it clean) and then caulk it with a latex caulk that has mildewicide. Tool it with a wet finger as tight as you can. Then in the areas that have a gap you will likely need to let it dry for a day and come back and caulk it again, because the first coat will shrink back and leave an indentation. Then after you fill/spackle your nails give it all a couple coats of trim enamel.
 
  #8  
Old 07-15-20, 03:08 AM
B
Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 972
Received 9 Upvotes on 9 Posts
If this is an area that's not likely to get wet, you could also scribe it to the floor just like you would scribe a countertop to a wall and sand it. But if it's in a wet area like a bathroom, I would definitely lift it a bit and caulk.
 
  #9  
Old 07-15-20, 07:37 AM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 40
Upvotes: 0
Received 1 Upvote on 1 Post
Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

I'm not a fan of shoe molding and would prefer not to go that route.

Sounds like caulking or scribing to the floor are the best options.

For the caulking:
Will it still allow sufficient movement in the tile field? I don't want to cause a potential issue with tiles becoming hollow or cracking because I've caulked them to the baseboard?

Any specific caulk you can recommend? Also why not silicone caulk as it's more flexible?

For the scribing:
What tools and processes will I need for this? Any videos, articles, etc. you can share.

Thanks!
 
  #10  
Old 07-15-20, 08:33 AM
M
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA - N.E.Tn
Posts: 45,643
Received 832 Upvotes on 729 Posts
While the tile shouldn't move, caulking is flexible and won't be an issue. Silicone caulk isn't paintable and is apt to be an issue when it comes time to repaint. I'm partial to White Lightning caulk, it's a siliconized acrylic latex which is paintable.
 
  #11  
Old 07-15-20, 08:34 AM
XSleeper's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 27,045
Received 1,905 Upvotes on 1,711 Posts
Tile is stable and doesnt move, and silicone is not paintable.
 
  #12  
Old 07-15-20, 08:49 AM
S
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 40
Upvotes: 0
Received 1 Upvote on 1 Post
Thanks guys.

Maybe I'm missing something but my understanding is that tile does move/shift slightly over time. It's installed over a concrete slab and settling, temperature changes, and other factors can cause it to move from what I know. This is why I understand we need movement joints throughout the tile field (https://www.ceramictilefoundation.or...who-needs-them outlines this).

Perhaps it's the flexibility of the caulk that won't be an issue here? I will look into the White Lightening Caulk. This one seems silicone and paintable too. https://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-All-Proj...ulk/1000117187

Any other thoughts on the scribing approach?
 
  #13  
Old 07-15-20, 08:54 AM
XSleeper's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 27,045
Received 1,905 Upvotes on 1,711 Posts
Every substance known to man expands and contracts a minute amount with changes in temperature. The point is that you have nothing to worry about because tile and concrete are the most stable building products there are. You also have no temperature swings when everything is room temperature.

And yes, you are missing something. Your floor is also not 5000 sq feet, so you likely have no expansion joints in your concrete to worry about.
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: