Tools and materials
Small saw, lime, sandpaper, tacks or screw, white glue, hammer and new plank in the same style as the one you are about to replace. Optional: chisel, gouge or milling machine.

Restoring with putty

� If the skirting board becomes deteriorated with small dents, scratches or holes left by old screws and tacks, it is best to fill the damaged parts with putty.

� Clean the holes or scratches well, removing paint or varnish and trying not to leave any remnants

� With a joint putty of the same colour as the wood, fill in the holes and press with a small spatula. You can also do this with a paste made from the sawdust of the same wood and white glue.  In this case, you will need to leave the paste to dry for at least 12 hours before carrying on with the task.

� Sandpaper the whole area and apply the same finish as before: enamel or varnish.

� If part of the solid wood has been damaged, you can replace it a piece of the same wood.

� Mark the damaged area, adding a few centimetres more.

� Then cut one of the two sides into a wedge shape with a small saw, doing the same on the other side. The hole should form a V shape, with the wider part facing the outside.

� A good trick is to use a wedge to enable you to correctly use the saw. To work diagonally, use a guide held against the skirting board.

� Sandpaper the skirting board if it has not ended up correctly.

� Then fit the piece into space with tacks or with glue.

� If the skirting has a special finish that is hard to find, you can place a tack with a similar mould. If not you will have to try to reproduce the finish using a chisel, gouge or milling machine.

� Once this has been done, apply the putty in the joint and, if necessary, sandpaper, paint or varnish.