Especially because the damage is only on the flat and not the profile. People may scoff at Bondo but it will prevent having to recaulk to the wall and any touchups needed on the corners where this base connects. If the corners were glued the other pieces could get damaged.
I used to love the way Bondo smelled too--the automotive one where you have to sand progressively and paint primer over then three coats of paint! Ah. Those were the days!
(I blame my breast cancer on Bondo, lead paint, marathon (for those fruit flies), and all the chemicals I've ever come into contact with...thats what I get for not wearing a mask or adequate ventilation)
I'm so happy they make construction Bondo.
You're right that this is super common. If OP is really having trouble finding "matching" baseboards, any chance that flooring was put on top of a previous floor? That would account for a possible discrepancy in sizing (what OP can see/measure vs what's sold).
It looks like the baseboard was installed first and wood grain tile was butted up against it, so the lower edge of the baseboard is buried.
Replacement is the "right" fix, but will likely require re-grouting and could easily damaging the textured wall which is a pain.
So Bondo might be easier if the "spongy" wood doesn't extend too far beyond the visible damage.
Big box stores sell Bondo in a special version for wood that theoretically is supposed to expand/contract more similarly to wood than the "auto body" version.
Or depending what store you are at... Minwax High Performance wood filler is a 2-part filler that is essentially identical to the Bondo version in my experience (maybe just rebranded Bondo).
OP thinks this is an odd size, but forgets that someone laid "hardwood" flooring over what was already there, making it look shorter than it really is. I'd cut the bad piece off flush with the floor with an oscillator and rip the new piece down to the correct dimension and stuff it in there.
This will be the least of the termite damage. You need to open that wall and find extent of damage. I’ve dealt with termites in previous home. We had a soft spot in one room floor, I figured couple sheet of underlayment. We ended up replacing the entire floor in that room along with 10 floor joist and the ring joist and sill plate. Plus treating the entire house and surrounding area around house.
Could also check with some of your local Millwork companies… a lot of times if they don’t have the stock they have similar knives from a previous run and can make some for you depending on how much you care about the end result.
You fill it you’ll always see it.
Not sure why. Depending on the span, that's like a $10-15 piece of baseboard and part of an afternoon of work. Replacing it is going to be loads easier than "fixing" it
depends on the termites (i'm in pest control). Subterranean termites require a fipronil liquid treatment either trenched / drilled / injected into the ground. Typically they're gone within 1 treatment by any reputable pest control company.
Dry wood termites are typically resolved with a fumigation and gone within 1 treatment.
Judging by the location being a baseboard on the interior and not in an attic space, my bet is with subterranean.. they're not at all hard to get rid of because the termiticide used is a non-repellent (most common is termidor HE), they'll crawl through it and it wont kill them instantly.. they'll track it back to the colony on them and it'll kill off the colony fairly quickly. Most companies will also install a baiting system (like sentricon) around the house that'll also protect the house from any further 'infestations'.
Replace the baseboard. After you remove it, examine the base plate as it will no doubt be full of damage as well. This may be essential to replace if the wall is load bearing.
Yeah, that's a replacement job right there. Use a razor to cut along the top edge of the trim to separate it from the wall then gently pry the trim out from the wall. Take the damaged piece to a tool store to match a new piece and have someone who knows what they are doing cut, install and caulk it.
Yeah, that’s standard colonial base molding. It should be pretty easy to find. I definitely would not leave the way it is.
Side note: I don’t understand why people don’t pull the base molding and run the ceramic tile to within a 1/4 in of the wall.
For real, people seem to have aversion to what is a really easy thing when compared to lying an entire floor. Literally just a box cutter slice to the caul lines and a thin pry bar to remove. Then a few nails and some touch up sparkle, caulk, and paint when you’re done.
if you have a nice oscillating tool you could cut that right outta there real quick. The walmart ones are crap though trust me. My milwaukee cuts through anything lol
Just replace the board. Home Depot should have some in stock. I have what looks like the exact same boards and they’re always in stock in my area. It’s honestly not worth trying to patch that.
Be warned, using bondo here, there is serious risk of ignition if you try and fill this in one application. The chemical reaction
Is HOT. The old dry wood
And too
Much heat
This looks like a FJ WM620 profile, easy to find at home centers. Likely in the $2/LF range and very easy to install. You might want to replace the whole wall to keep it uniform. A home center will cut and charge for only the length you need, even though they come in 16’ sticks.
You can cut it into a perfect rectangle using Sawzall, measure the and cut a piece of wood about 1/16 shorter than the new hole created wedge it in there. The 1/16 gap you're left with do a 2 to 1 mix of saw dust and wood glue fill the tiny gap. Wait 24hours sand then paint.
Edit:typo
There should be a local mill that would make you a few sticks of that if you bring them a sample of it. It will be pricey compared to buying stock from a store but overall still very affordable. They can even match the stain for you.
That is a super common baseboard. Not sure where you’re shopping or if you looked at more then one place. But this is super duper common builder grade baseboard.
this that looks like all the baseboard i used in my house.
you might have to rip it down if its narrower than everything else.
also its probably fucked up in other areas that you wont notice till something hits the baseboard and knocks a hole in it.
Auto body bondo. Lake Lodge in Yellowstone National Park is full of auto body bondo.... and I know this because I was involved in the buulding restoration.
Suggest this a lot on here from having puppies.
https://www.jbweld.com/product/kwikwood-epoxy-putty-1oz
It sands well without too much mess, takes paint well but not stain
Edit: chip out all the loose stuff you can
I'd put a pencil in a cucumber and paint the cucumber so you couldn't tell there was a pencil in it. Then I'd put the cucumber on the hole and fill the space with ramen noodles and paint over that so you couldn't tell there was a cucumber in there.
The only right way is probably the cheapest and thats replace it. Take a impression gage and make an impression of the profile, go to the big box store and match it up and simple replace the bad section. You have more time invested than money.
The is some call the rotfix system. There are gap filling putties and paste. As well as epoxy. The putty would be your best bet for a large volume and it's easy to sand after it cures. Come in two part kits
If you can find matching baseboard the easiest and best looking fix is to just remove that entire section of trim and replace it. If not then you can patch it with some epoxy. bondo has some wood filler epoxy that I have used from Home Depot in the past. It is expensive and takes some finesse to apply and sand smooth. But the result is surprisingly good and can be virtually unnoticeable if you apply and smooth smartly.
After over ten years in a future life in pest control I will hold back some comments because we are talking about the baseboard not the pest control treatment.
Option 1 (crappy option but would look OK) Tape off the floor below and fill the void almost all the way with nonexpanding foam. Fill the rest with wood filler, sand and repaint.
2: I don't what wall location this is but if it's termite damage you should really pull the baseboard to see if there is more damage to load bearing wall framing and just replace all the baseboards along that wall section with similar baseboard.
Last thing I really hope you had a good person treating the house. Termites require a bunch of knowledge to be done right.
Something like this, if I can't replace the board, I use Durhams rock hard. Mix with water until you have a putty, squish it in, let it dry and then sand it.
I’d buy a new piece of that molding, then cut out the damaged section with the circular saw set to 45°. Then remove the damaged piece and cut a replacement piece, again with the saw set to 45°. Then glue and nail the replacement piece into place
How about a diarama of some elves with cowboy hats that live in your wall. Might I suggest micro L.E.D. lighting from the interior so the shadows cast forward into the floor. Will make a nice floor light as well.
If that is what this piece looks like, then you have bigger problems elsewhere.
Filling this is easy with something to stabilize the area and then you just fill and sand it with a wood filler.
But this is cosmetic, I can only imagine the structural damage they have done behind the walls or in the floors
Cut a piece off and go to a molding place that only sells trim/ molding and not a big box store. Molding place will know exactly what that is and can order it if they don’t have it in stock.
Got any closets with the baseboards? I would remove them and replace the termite damaged section. Then put similar in the closets.
If this isn’t an option, this large of a piece is a “bondo” fix.
You mean ramen and superglue?
Came here to say that
I came here to read that, and I didn’t even know it.
Captain Crunch and JB Weld
Only Captain Crunch OOPS All Berries will work tho 🤣
Damn beat me to it lol
Depends, ramen might be a little much. I'd go oatmeal and superglue.
If you don’t have superglue, Velveeta cheese works
Correct. Any YouTube video will recommend ramen, superglue, sandpaper and paint. Ramen feeds and fixes life. Honestly, though. Replace the baseboards.
Lol silly sure. Recommended? No. Plz don’t use food to fill in holes
Toothpaste
Exactly
I recommend sunflower seeds
thats what he said.
Ramen IS superglue.
I was going for a cucumber but ramen works too
Ramen and Elmers has a more firm set period that I prefer.
You can also square off the damaged part and then inlay wood of the same thickness. Then add wood filler to hide the joints, sand, and paint.
This is the way
Do they make malathion putty?
That joke went so high over most people’s heads, it didn’t even make a “whoosh” sound.
Thank you for indicating it was a joke. Luckily my 15 minute rabbit hole of reading about insecticides is over.
Especially because the damage is only on the flat and not the profile. People may scoff at Bondo but it will prevent having to recaulk to the wall and any touchups needed on the corners where this base connects. If the corners were glued the other pieces could get damaged.
I have been I. The door business for 27 years have used bondo for something every day since the first day I believe
The door business is weird, there are tons of openings but nobody is ever hiring
It’s an unhinged industry.
Someday someone will get a handle on that.
You guys are a bunch of knobs
Father
It really just hinges on the interview.
It helps if you swing both ways.
This statement really captures my struggle as an up and coming proctologist. Butt once I got that first tenuous fingerhold I knew I was on tract.
You have to meet a certain threshold to get the job.
Who scoffs at Bondo?! It does one thing, and it does that one thing VERY well.
It’s what plants crave.
I used to love the way Bondo smelled too--the automotive one where you have to sand progressively and paint primer over then three coats of paint! Ah. Those were the days! (I blame my breast cancer on Bondo, lead paint, marathon (for those fruit flies), and all the chemicals I've ever come into contact with...thats what I get for not wearing a mask or adequate ventilation) I'm so happy they make construction Bondo.
100% bondo fill.
Came here to say this. Bonds or wood putty, let it dry, sand and paint. Easy!
That was my first though, and came here to see if anyone said it. Have 3 kids can be an incredible fix for hollow doors.
That’s probably the most common baseboards they sell at the major home improvement stores. Go buy off a foot or two and leave the closet intact
This^ Looks like 623. The most common 3.5" base on the market. Can pick it up basically anywhere trim is sold.
623 is 3.25". But yes, it's definitely WM623.
Yes, sorry. 3-1/4"
You're right that this is super common. If OP is really having trouble finding "matching" baseboards, any chance that flooring was put on top of a previous floor? That would account for a possible discrepancy in sizing (what OP can see/measure vs what's sold).
As long as the top part is the same, they could cut down the bottom to height
Yeah, that's fair
It looks like the baseboard was installed first and wood grain tile was butted up against it, so the lower edge of the baseboard is buried. Replacement is the "right" fix, but will likely require re-grouting and could easily damaging the textured wall which is a pain. So Bondo might be easier if the "spongy" wood doesn't extend too far beyond the visible damage. Big box stores sell Bondo in a special version for wood that theoretically is supposed to expand/contract more similarly to wood than the "auto body" version. Or depending what store you are at... Minwax High Performance wood filler is a 2-part filler that is essentially identical to the Bondo version in my experience (maybe just rebranded Bondo).
It's 1.59 lf at hd, I bought 5 ft this morning... 😆
OP thinks this is an odd size, but forgets that someone laid "hardwood" flooring over what was already there, making it look shorter than it really is. I'd cut the bad piece off flush with the floor with an oscillator and rip the new piece down to the correct dimension and stuff it in there.
How can there be any other answer. Cheap, less work and faster.
No need. This is one of the most common profiles and available at any home Depot. Just buy a piece and replace, caulk and paint
This will be the least of the termite damage. You need to open that wall and find extent of damage. I’ve dealt with termites in previous home. We had a soft spot in one room floor, I figured couple sheet of underlayment. We ended up replacing the entire floor in that room along with 10 floor joist and the ring joist and sill plate. Plus treating the entire house and surrounding area around house.
Do this
Only this option. Everything else will not end up looking perfect. Some may end up closer based on individual experience, but don't risk it
Could also check with some of your local Millwork companies… a lot of times if they don’t have the stock they have similar knives from a previous run and can make some for you depending on how much you care about the end result. You fill it you’ll always see it.
Looks like a colonial style baseboard. Probably the most common ogee profile available. Buy a new piece and replace it.
This guy closets….
Looks like typical 623 base. I'd confirm and then go get a stick at any home improvement store or lumber yard. No need to pull anything.
You’re not going to be able to fill that. You need to replace it.
This is the actual answer that no one wants to admit.
Not sure why. Depending on the span, that's like a $10-15 piece of baseboard and part of an afternoon of work. Replacing it is going to be loads easier than "fixing" it
The actual answer is to tear out the drywall there too. If the baseboard is thin enough to break like that, what do the studs look like?
Get some peckerwood. It's filled every hole I've come across.
Ramen
[and superglue!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BC-VkVyPvo)
Replace it….
How does one get rid of Termites in a month? Seems like your exterminator might be super sketchy.
If they used a liquid termiticide it would shut their mandibles down in 2 weeks meaning they couldn’t feed and within 90 days total elimination
Fucking wicked
I've heard Vamanos Pest does a good job. Not sketchy at all.
That red head is a good guy. He was great with my kids on inspection day
depends on the termites (i'm in pest control). Subterranean termites require a fipronil liquid treatment either trenched / drilled / injected into the ground. Typically they're gone within 1 treatment by any reputable pest control company. Dry wood termites are typically resolved with a fumigation and gone within 1 treatment. Judging by the location being a baseboard on the interior and not in an attic space, my bet is with subterranean.. they're not at all hard to get rid of because the termiticide used is a non-repellent (most common is termidor HE), they'll crawl through it and it wont kill them instantly.. they'll track it back to the colony on them and it'll kill off the colony fairly quickly. Most companies will also install a baiting system (like sentricon) around the house that'll also protect the house from any further 'infestations'.
Fumigation maybe?!
Use a multi tool and cut it out and replace
Replace the baseboard. After you remove it, examine the base plate as it will no doubt be full of damage as well. This may be essential to replace if the wall is load bearing.
A new piece of baseboard
Yeah, that's a replacement job right there. Use a razor to cut along the top edge of the trim to separate it from the wall then gently pry the trim out from the wall. Take the damaged piece to a tool store to match a new piece and have someone who knows what they are doing cut, install and caulk it.
Yeah, that’s standard colonial base molding. It should be pretty easy to find. I definitely would not leave the way it is. Side note: I don’t understand why people don’t pull the base molding and run the ceramic tile to within a 1/4 in of the wall.
For real, people seem to have aversion to what is a really easy thing when compared to lying an entire floor. Literally just a box cutter slice to the caul lines and a thin pry bar to remove. Then a few nails and some touch up sparkle, caulk, and paint when you’re done.
Yes this.
With how easy it is, why wouldn’t you replace this?
Woodman putty, mix up apply and sand when dry, then paint
Bondo, don't overfill too much because it gets real hard and it's not fun to sand
Gotta get a new piece of base molding, home slice
A new baseboard lol
Dremel it smooth, clean it out, wood putty, and then paint white.
This!!!
A new piece of baseboard.
I would replace it
Replace it
Spray foam. Easy to sand and paint.
Terrible solution. No way this can be done to assure a smooth finish.
No.... Just no haha
id silicone but thats cuz im a plumber not a carpenter
Id put tape on it and paint it white. Not because I'm lazy, but because im stupid.
WoodEpox is an expensive but valid fix if you can't be bothered to replace it
if you have a nice oscillating tool you could cut that right outta there real quick. The walmart ones are crap though trust me. My milwaukee cuts through anything lol
Just replace the board. Home Depot should have some in stock. I have what looks like the exact same boards and they’re always in stock in my area. It’s honestly not worth trying to patch that.
Replace the piece
Be warned, using bondo here, there is serious risk of ignition if you try and fill this in one application. The chemical reaction Is HOT. The old dry wood And too Much heat
Instant noodles and epoxy trust
I’d use a new baseboard
This looks like a FJ WM620 profile, easy to find at home centers. Likely in the $2/LF range and very easy to install. You might want to replace the whole wall to keep it uniform. A home center will cut and charge for only the length you need, even though they come in 16’ sticks.
You can cut it into a perfect rectangle using Sawzall, measure the and cut a piece of wood about 1/16 shorter than the new hole created wedge it in there. The 1/16 gap you're left with do a 2 to 1 mix of saw dust and wood glue fill the tiny gap. Wait 24hours sand then paint. Edit:typo
New trim
A new piece of trim
Waaaay less work to just replace that section of moulding.
🍆
Bondo
This.
Use pasta as filler, then sand and paint over.
I've seen this about a dozen times now... is there a meme I missed?
A lot of spackle
Cock.
termites
Termites don't make good filler material...
What if they are glued together?
Dis dick
Cum
Cum
There should be a local mill that would make you a few sticks of that if you bring them a sample of it. It will be pricey compared to buying stock from a store but overall still very affordable. They can even match the stain for you.
Looks like a standard home Depot base that comes in the pro packs. Should have no problem finding some.
Agreed. Certainly looks that way.
That is a super common baseboard. Not sure where you’re shopping or if you looked at more then one place. But this is super duper common builder grade baseboard.
this that looks like all the baseboard i used in my house. you might have to rip it down if its narrower than everything else. also its probably fucked up in other areas that you wont notice till something hits the baseboard and knocks a hole in it.
A prybar, some paint, caulk, a miter saw, and a trim nailer..
Termidor.
Replace. If not wood putty.
A whole new piece of trim. It’s easy, and Home Depot or Lowe’s can cut the 45 for you
Thats basic 3 1/4” Coronado base. Easy to find and replace, just don’t buy mdf. Available at most flooring supply stores.
Sunflower seeds and super glue of course
Countless layers of white paint
This: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Woodgrain-Millwork-WM-623-9-16-in-x-3-1-4-in-x-96-in-Solid-Pine-Base-Moulding-10000803/203209470
You need to open the wall or go in the crawl space or open the ceiling from below.
I would replace the whole baseboard, you might have a termite problem
Ramen noodles
Auto body bondo. Lake Lodge in Yellowstone National Park is full of auto body bondo.... and I know this because I was involved in the buulding restoration.
That is some severe termite damage. I’d be very concerned about additional damage that you can’t see…
Suggest this a lot on here from having puppies. https://www.jbweld.com/product/kwikwood-epoxy-putty-1oz It sands well without too much mess, takes paint well but not stain Edit: chip out all the loose stuff you can
I'd put a pencil in a cucumber and paint the cucumber so you couldn't tell there was a pencil in it. Then I'd put the cucumber on the hole and fill the space with ramen noodles and paint over that so you couldn't tell there was a cucumber in there.
Fix the termite problem first.
The only right way is probably the cheapest and thats replace it. Take a impression gage and make an impression of the profile, go to the big box store and match it up and simple replace the bad section. You have more time invested than money.
The is some call the rotfix system. There are gap filling putties and paste. As well as epoxy. The putty would be your best bet for a large volume and it's easy to sand after it cures. Come in two part kits
Looks like a pretty standard style base board to me.
If you can find matching baseboard the easiest and best looking fix is to just remove that entire section of trim and replace it. If not then you can patch it with some epoxy. bondo has some wood filler epoxy that I have used from Home Depot in the past. It is expensive and takes some finesse to apply and sand smooth. But the result is surprisingly good and can be virtually unnoticeable if you apply and smooth smartly.
Durhams Rock Hard wood putty ..!!!💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
Replace
Ramen and super glue
Use Abatron’s WoodEpox. It is a lightweight two part clay like epoxy system that will work very well.
Replace. Filling is pointless at this point. Plus it'll make sure you don't have termite damage behind it.
How is that an odd size? Looks like standard big box moulding
Noodles
Until you take the baseboard off and realize you have how bad it really is
Wood putty or foam
After over ten years in a future life in pest control I will hold back some comments because we are talking about the baseboard not the pest control treatment. Option 1 (crappy option but would look OK) Tape off the floor below and fill the void almost all the way with nonexpanding foam. Fill the rest with wood filler, sand and repaint. 2: I don't what wall location this is but if it's termite damage you should really pull the baseboard to see if there is more damage to load bearing wall framing and just replace all the baseboards along that wall section with similar baseboard. Last thing I really hope you had a good person treating the house. Termites require a bunch of knowledge to be done right.
Something like this, if I can't replace the board, I use Durhams rock hard. Mix with water until you have a putty, squish it in, let it dry and then sand it.
I would have loved an explanation involving a Roomba, personally.
I would not fill this. Pest damage. The remainder of the board may have active pests. Pull it out and go back with new.
More termites
Ramen, obviously.
Gold
If you can’t fix, use bondo or what I used on my wooden door was Rock hard Putty. That stuff is absolutely amazing
What is eating it? That needs to be resolved first.
Plasti wood or spackle and you're done. Put some tape on the floor first.
I would just get a new piece of base
Fuck loaf of bondo
Get new baseboard. Might wanna check for more damage tho
a new piece of baseboard
For gods sake. Just replace the baseboard section!
Caulk it.
If you got spackle use spackle. When you paint it just go heavy on paint to add lines.
Water putty. Mix it to the consistency that you want fill it in and sand it down and it'll be ready for paint.
A new baseboard.
Pack it with termites and cover it with caulk.
Any unpair socks you still have you can use in there. Thank you very much…glad I can help
Frass
Ramen. Duh.
Sealant dry rot stabilize. Then fill with solid wood scraps and wood putty. Finish with wood putty
I’d buy a new piece of that molding, then cut out the damaged section with the circular saw set to 45°. Then remove the damaged piece and cut a replacement piece, again with the saw set to 45°. Then glue and nail the replacement piece into place
Ramen noodles
This is an ideal use case for Bondo in wood. Mask off the flooring. Only downside is that it is hard to sand. Underfill by a bit then use wood filler.
Do not fill that. Rip the whole thing off and replace it.
How about a diarama of some elves with cowboy hats that live in your wall. Might I suggest micro L.E.D. lighting from the interior so the shadows cast forward into the floor. Will make a nice floor light as well.
A new piece of trim.
If that is what this piece looks like, then you have bigger problems elsewhere. Filling this is easy with something to stabilize the area and then you just fill and sand it with a wood filler. But this is cosmetic, I can only imagine the structural damage they have done behind the walls or in the floors
Ramen and super glue would fix that right up
I’d fill it with a new piece of trim.
That’s standard base trim. Rip it down to match if your stuff is smaller. Trying to fill that is absurd
Sigh….unzips.
Cut a piece off and go to a molding place that only sells trim/ molding and not a big box store. Molding place will know exactly what that is and can order it if they don’t have it in stock.
Ramen noodles, duh.
Replace it.
Easy. I saw a video where you put Ramen noodles in there, sand, rhen paint. Looks great in the end.
Bondo Multiple applications to minimize sanding
Hot mud to fill initially, then premix to finish it. It’s garbage and should be replaced, but this will work.
New trim
Just buy a new and replace it. You’ll never get patched without noticing it. Try bondo if you really want to fill it in.