Eliminating small gap under skirting when re-fitting

[BitChain]

Hi

I've fitted engineering wood flooring to a concrete even surface floor using the appropriate underlay etc.

I've prepped the skirting boards (sanded down) ready to refix to the walls, and I notice that there is a slight gap where the skirting board meets the wood floor. The gap is not always present, it's just at certain points on certain walls.

Exerting pressure downwards on the skirting does not push it close enough either, it's quite rigid.

My question is how do I best eliminate this gap so the finish looks good?

I include an image of the problem.



Cheers!

[chippymike]

lay a pencil flat on the floor against you'r skirtting and run it along the skitring bord, this is called marking a scribed line. you can also use thin plywood etc under the pencil if you need abit more off. when you are happy with the marked line, cut it with a jig saw.

[Teabag]

hi, BitChain

not sure what you know and what you dont, so take into account you may already be aware of things mentioned in replies...

firstly all wood breathes, as it takes in moisture and dries out. so in effect you may always get a gap depending on climate conditions within the house or room. central heating on or of ect... causing expansion and contracting.
to get the best fit possible and even gap you could scribe the bottom of the skirting to the floor. so during any expanding the skirting would be a perfect even fit. (as mentioned above... this is an edit as there were no replies when i started to post).
the tip to get most downward presure is to rest another piece of wood ontop of the skirting to be fitted, angled down to the floor, (around 3ft or so long) so it creates a ramp. then have another person apply presure to this by partially standing on it, forcing it to the floor, while you fix it in place next to the point where presure is being applied.

hope that helps....

[big-all]

i agree scribing is the best way
although you realy need a loose fit to allow expansion

assuming its glossed white skirting i would go for a bead of silicone smoother off into the gap

[hs01]

There is a product called painters mate which will take up the gap, it is easy to work with and can be painted over. If you use silicon it is messier and cannot be painted over. You apply the painters mate with a gun applicator but unlike silicon you can clean it easily with a damp sponge.