How can we get rid of this built-in doorstop? Its an eyesore!
by
Hillela G.
+8
When we moved in, there was a door to the living room ( we could not figure out why, it made the room feel smaller). We removed the door, but the doorstop is still there- and its built in! What can we do to make it less of an eyesore? Can we get rid of it? Cover it? I'm open to anything. Thank you!
It's probably glued down - try hot water and prying it out with a screwdriver.
i would not be afraid of it. Take a hammer to it, then a chistle, then fill it in and get over it and enjoy the house.
If it's glued down, use heat. A hair dryer or a heat gun. Water may soak into wood or subfloor and cause warping. Another idea is to look for a set screw - they usually need an Allen wrench to loosen it. There may be a piece underneath it that is screwed to the floor.
Some times it's just screwed down, so ck the center of the hole First then try other suggestions?
Looks like an "antique" ceramic pipe escutcheon, more commonly used in the bath back in the day. I would guess it to be cemented to the floor at the time the floor was put down, so you may trade one eyesore for another. Me, I would consider it part of the building's history, and leave it. But, I love anything old/vintage!
When you get it removed by whatever method is necessary, you might go to a tile shop and have them make you a piece which will fit in the resulting void; either something in a similar or contrasting color, whichever you prefer.
Why not keep it? Make a classy topiary tree, floor-to-ceiling plant hanger pole, multilevel swivel lamp or dressform jewelry and scarf holder? ETC etc
I agree with one of the other comments that it is an escutcheon. If it is i'm afraid that it is "cemented" into the floor. I don't know how old your home is but I do know NYC I lived on the Island for many year's and I went into the city frequently. Your home (the "door stop") is surrounded by actual tile and mortar which is what Tile installers did back in the day (showing my age) and the escutcheon is held in with the mortar. So you have to decide if you want to remove it. Just understand that if you do that you may damage the surrounding tile work as well. Even professionals have some trouble with jobs like this. As for what to use, I used a wonder bar, a thin piece of wood (under the bar) and a hammer for the wonder bar.
How about using a hacksaw blade and cutting it level with the floor. You will need to remove the blade from the saw. It will be time consuming, but if done carefully give you a nice flat surface.