Gaps in skirting board

[Prudie]

Our conservatory is about 10 years old has a ceramic tile floor and normal wood skirting board. Over the years I think it must have settled and in some places the skirting board has up to a 1cm gap between the tiles and wood at the bottom. This allows all sorts of insect dross and dirt to come in (presumably from the foundations?). I was thinking the quickest and easiest solution was to go round it with bathroom sealant. Can anyone envisage problems or suggest a better answer?

[Count-A-Strong]

Fit quadrant beading ( quarter of a circle shape) and stain / paint it as the skirting.

[Prudie]

Thanks CAS, have looked that up on B&Q and that does look like a neater solution.

[AlBags]

Personally .. I would replace the skirting. Especially if you have the budget skirting (4") or short Torus, you should replace with Torus. This will/should cover existing joint. Skirting is pretty cheap and quick to replace. Do architrave at same time. Result .. Often a great architectural improvement. Allows you to stain/paint up freshly.
Quadrant looks tacky in my opinion. I go to great lengths not to use it.

[NazNomad]

Agreed ^^ ... quadrant is amateurish, imo

[Prudie]

I know what you mean, might have to persuade someone to go to that effort! The current skirting is about 2.5 inches high and shaped - is that Torus ??

[Mamyalynne]

Hi Prudie
http://www.realoakflo...ed_Torus_Skirting.jpg

[Maydup]

The trouble with replacing the skiting is that unless the floor is absolutley perfectly flat and level, there will always be a few gaps. Its not like a carpet which can hide the odd millimetre or two of uneveness. I know what the others mean about the beading but it will at least cover the gap 100% where as skirting onto a ceramic floor will always let in an earwig or two.

[Prudie]

Well thank you mamya !!!

[The-HouseHusband]

Go for new Skirting all-round if you can afford to as it looks a lot better than add ons that always seem to stand out no matter how well you fit it.

As a temporary measure use decorators caulk rather than silicone sealant, it does the same job but can be painted or stained to match the skirting unlike silicone.

http://www.wickes.co....otion&refine_sort_alp

[KARL]

I would scribe the replacement skirting to the variations in the floor (by shaving the board so it ends up following the floor and thus varies in width/height), but if there is any further movement then you will need to repeat the process.

[The Builder]

I might as well stick my big nose in as well .......... :o)

New skirting properly scribed (as Karl says) would look best. If this is floor slab settlement (probably one of the most common of NHBC insurance claims) .... then the gap will probably vary.
Scribing to follow the floor shape is tricky, but would take your eye away from what, now, must be an eyesore.
Quad can look ok if done well, but filling or re-skirting would be preferable.

If the existing skirting is painted timber then fill and overpaint.
If it's stained, then, difficult unless you fill with something like brown putty. I can never get caulk to take a stain properly.
If it's PVC, then replace with moulded timber.

[Bravehearted]

Can you lay a thick pile carpet to fit under the skirting. Would improove insulation as well

[Prudie]

Well this has attracted some interesting suggestions :-) I'll re-read them properly. Yes the gap is uneven. Carpet not really good for a conservatory (apart from the fact that it's a very nicely tiled floor).
Thanks guys

[Count-A-Strong]

I agree that a proper cure would be to have the skirtings replaced. Depends whether you want to spend £20 or £100. You'll also run the risk of damaging the plaster when taking the extg boards off and the further expense of plastering and decorations.

[TonyV]

well at least you got a spammer who cannot spam interested LOL. Scribed in new will look the best if you can afford it or DIY

[AlBags]

Horrible mouldings there at skirtingboards DOT com

Avoid I think ..