How can I remove the baseboards behind the brick mantled fireplace in our den?

Question

Recently we started to remodel our den. We've demolished a closet, and inserted can lighting, now we would like to work on the floor and that entails removing the carpet and putting down hard wood flooring. The base boards go behind the fireplace's bricks... & I already started to rmove the baseboards from the entire room. Is there a way to remove the baseboards without having to demo the brick?

Answer 1

Certainly, a reciprocating saw would do the job, If you are not experienced or do not have a saw like this- a Flush cut saw will do the job for you, Pine mouldings are easy to cut, oak will take a little patience, any supply store will have a flush cut handsaw-even reversible to use on either side of your fireplace,
another Option may be- depending on the condition of the existing wall( maybe further insulation is needed- ) you can FUR out the wall with foam board and apply new drywall with longer screws or planking etc.over that, depending on your wall decor choice,
notch the foam board where the baseboard is to acheive a flat surface. Thanks for reading

Answer 2

Seems obvious the face of the fireplace was added after the fact. I wouldn't bother with removal at all. You'll have to cover the space anyway. Use a RECIP. saw and cut flush with the brick. I'm curious to know if the molding goes behind the brick at the floor level; what space is above that; in the brick work/wall??? Why not just do your floor install; use 1/4 round; or some other decortaive molding up the height of the fireplace to a point that it has to stop, and paint it or finish it the color of the walls; then re-install any cove base you choose.

Steven Wolf

Answer 3

If you can't pull it out, probably not. You could always cut the baseboard flush with the brick and ignore it.