Screw and plug or adhesive for skirting boards?

I need to fit new skirting board in my living room as it's just been plastered. I'm just wondering which is the best way to fix the skirting board? Do I need to use screws and plugs or can I just use an adhesive? If so which should I use?
The walls seem to be flat but i don't want there to be big gaps at the top that I have to fill with caulk. Thanks in advance.

Asked by Cheryl on 28th Mar 2020
Expert Trade Answers
"As your walls have been plastered, if the walls have been bond and set, then the bottoms of the walls should have been made good and flat as to not obstruct the fitting of the skirting board
that should be plugged and screwed, ( screws to be counter- sunk before decorating.
If the walls have been skimmed then they can be stuck with a gripfill/ no-nails, or equivalent product to fix skirting, (pinned in corners to help skirting stay in place when glue goes off)
In some cases you may have to use a small amount of caulking
at skirting line."
Answered on 28th Mar 2020 - Member since Dec 2019 - report
"Hi, you would normally nail skirting on with brads, most tradesmen now have finishing nail guns. My advice would be if it’s partition walls nail it or if it’s brick wall with no fixing for nails you could use plugs and screws, just means the holes left are larger to fill.
Hope this helps."
Answered on 28th Mar 2020 - Member since Mar 2020 - report
"I would recommend plugs and screws as adhesive is only attached to the finish plaster. Prior to fixing skirting it is important to remove any "bell' effect bulge left during plastering. This will ensure a neater finish between skirting and wall."
Answered on 31st Mar 2020 - Member since Jan 2020 - report
"You must use paslode nails and grip fast adhesive
Thank you for asking"
Answered on 4th Apr 2020 - Member since Jan 2018 - report
"If you're fitting carpet on the floor then you need both adhesive and screws. If you're fitting laminate or anything else, you can just use adhesive and possibly screws if the wall is bent in place and there is going to be gap at the top."
Answered on 28th Mar 2020 - Member since Jun 2018 - report
"The best way: a little bit of adhesive and screws and plugs. That will give you no gaps on top the skirting."
Answered on 28th Mar 2020 - Member since Mar 2020 - report
"Drill, use screws and pellet if they are oak or visual. If they are MDF or being painted, mastic and screws where needed. If the walls are great you can use a high grade mastic like ct1. If you have warps in the wall use screws and fill holes. You may need to fill holes twice as filler usually shrinks. Once finished caulk the top edge with caulk. You can get caulk in white magnolia or a few other colours."
Answered on 28th Mar 2020 - Member since Jan 2016 - report
"Yes, gripfill adhesive and a few clout nails to hold it firm until adhesive sets. Use mitre bond for outside mitred corners."
Answered on 28th Mar 2020 - Member since Aug 2019 - report
"I would steer clear of Gripfil but most grab adhesives in a tube are decent, sometimes if there are gaps then a few screws and plugs will be required but if everything is fairly flat, get cutting and adhesive will do fine."
Answered on 28th Mar 2020 - Member since Mar 2020 - report
"Either is fine, but screws are better, longer lasting good fix to the wall. Remember to pre drill and counter sink the holes though."
Answered on 6th May 2020 - Member since May 2020 - report
"You can use plugs and screws and some drops of gripfill at back to fix a skirting."
Answered on 28th Mar 2020 - Member since Mar 2019 - report
"You can use a silicone sealer on skirting boards and stick them to walls and pin to hold."
Answered on 31st Mar 2020 - Member since Dec 2019 - report
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