New Baseboards and Window Trim Popping Off

elf2000

12 years ago

We just finished a very big remodel which included new baseboards and new window trim throughout our vintage (20's) highrise apartment. Now, a number of the baseboards are popping off at the top and the corners of some of the window trim is separating. We've had our contractor out to fix it once and a week later we were seeing the same problems in the same places. How much of this is to be expected? This trim was put in this spring when it was cool and, like most of the country, it's now hot and humid, though we use a/c and the humidity gauge hovers slightly below 50%. Our contractor says that this is normal and as the wood cures it will stop happening. Any advice for me? Should I fix it all this fall or winter? Will this get better?

Thank you everyone. I appreciate all advice.

Comments (5)

User
12 years ago
I've installed trim for over ten years---wood and plastic---and never had that problem.

I smell sumpin fishy.

In the several houses I have worked with age like that, there were problems finding studs/top or bottom plates sometimes. Add to that installing over plaster/lath walls and you have a real situation.

If the trim were shop made shortly before installation and not allowed to acclimatize to the house before installation---and only has finish on the front side, there is a chance the contractor could be right. BUT, that kind of trim/finish should never have been done, IMHO.

I usually used 2&1/2" finish nails in 16 guage size. And often shot the nails at an angle.
brickeyee
12 years ago
Sounds like undersized finish nails.

Pin nailers can also have this problem (no head).
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elf2000
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks so much for the help. Our walls are plaster and I know that the back side wasn't finished. I'll find out what size finish nails were used. How long should wood acclimatize in our home before installation? We've had some drastic temp and moisture changes since it was installed in March or April. We live in Chicago so we have big temperature swings. One more question, can the trim be saved? Can it be removed and sealed on the backside and reused? Thanks again for the tips. I really appreciate your help.
brickeyee
12 years ago
"Our walls are plaster..."

If you have 3/4 inch thick plaster walls the nails need to be surprisingly long to get into the framing.

10d finish is about right. They are surprisingly large though.
sombreuil_mongrel
12 years ago
If the wood was crappy #2 spruce, it could be drying out unevenly and cupping, esp. if not back-primed.
#10 finish nails, yes, but what ever happened to "casing nails" like finish nails but a slightly bigger head, increased holding power.
Casey