Carpentry and Woodworking - Baseboards

We just finished the installing the baseboards in our basement. Everything went well, but we have a hanful areas where either the wall isn't straight or the baseboard is slightly warped. There isn't a stud in that particular area so there is a slight gap between the molding and drywall. Any ideas on how to get a tighter fit? There is no access to the walls to insert additional studs.

Thanks!
MB

Adhesive could have been used along with nailing for a better fit. You can caulk along top of baseboard. If painting, use paintable latex caulk.

I highly doubt your baseboards are warped. You'll find it's very common walls are not perfectly straight. I agree with twelvepole...caulk it. If you're not familiar with using caulk, cut the tip of it very small at an angle. After you apply, use a wet sponge or paper towel going over it (not soaking wet) and it'll get it coming out smooth, nice and neat. I would use a premium acrylic latex caulk.

You should surely have a sole plate to nail to in that area. If that doesn't nail it back good enough, caulk it. As mentioned, those areas could be glued (construction adhesive) then taped to the wall, or braced tight to the wall until the glue sets up. Whether you can do that now by prying the base away a bit and injecting some adhesive, only you can tell.

Cement blocks and wood shims work well together to brace baseboard to the wall.

Caulk it. I'm a big fan of caulk. Hopefully the gap isn't too large to fill with it.

Caulk hides a lot of construction "discrepancies" in many a home.

If the drywall was installed horizonally, it has a tapered edge which would be behind the bottom edge of the baseboard. Perhaps the bottom edge of the baseboard is pushed in too far causing the top edge to tilt out away from the wall. I correct this condition with shims or by driving a drwall screw into the bottom plate and leaving it out enough to hold the baseboard plumb. Hope this helps.

Thanks for all the advice. The drywall is installed horizontally so maybe the scenario from Wirepuller38 might be the culprit. I think I will try nailing at an angle to hit the soleplate first to see what happens....have a good 2007.