If your concerns were based on what you’ve read rather than any previous experience of damp penetration in your basement I wouldn’t worry about it over much.
That said, if you need the piece of mind that doing the job correctly provides I’ve listed some alternate solutions below:
1. If the boards are have been screwed, take them down and reduce individually before re-installing.
If the boards can’t be removed try one of these options:
2. Using a 1/4" spacing block as a guide, slice through the bottom of the boards with a utility knife* (be warned - even a sharp blade requires a number of passes before the waste can be fully removed). **
3. If all else fails why not go for the easiest solution of all - just seal the bottom of the boards with silicone!
Hope this helps
Terry
www.easycarpentry.com
*Removing the machined edge from plasterboard is never a good idea (especially so where it meets a basement floor) and should be avoided wherever possible.
Okay, the factory sealed edge only adds a little extra protection but some has got to be better than none at all!
**Although it is possible to perform this operation by sliding the body of the knife around the floor on its own, the use of a spacing block helps avoid painful finger skin loss!
Now you can work with the confidence of an expert – without having to put in the years of practice!
www.easycarpentry.com