Fix Floor Gaps

There are many different ways to go about correcting this type of issue but we will dive into the most common.

Fix floor gaps.

Why pay 60 when you can make one for just a few bucks. With older tongue and groove hardwood or even wide plank floors gaps inevitably develop between the boards mostly because the wood shrinks over time as it dries out and loses moisture content. You can also fix gaps by using a floor fixer which you can buy from a hardware store. Filling large gaps in old wood floors.

Water logged wood will first swell then shrink as it dries out. See my cheap fix for vinyl plank flooring coming apart due to temperature fluctuations. Sometimes the best method to repair your floor is to replace it entirely. It continually moves and breathes.

The floor gap fixer is the only tool designed for closing gaps in floating floors without having to remove any molding. Wood is a natural material that expands and contracts with the weather as well as in the presence or absence of moisture. You ll first need to attach the device to the affected floorboards then tap it with a mallet to shift the boards into place. Using fillers such as putty powdered filler which is mixed to a putty or paste form or even caulking resolves gaps if done properly.

The latter is an older method of filling gaps and not only serves as a way to fix floor gaps but also will help keep any drafts that come up through the floor to a minimum as well. If you cannot fix the problem by installing a humidifier you may need to take more drastic action when it comes to filling wide gaps. This is especially true when the gaps are large and numerous or there are other signs of damage to the boards such as warping or missing slivers. How to fix gaps in floating floors.

Another exacerbating condition is water damage. If you have laminate or engineered flooring there s a good chance you ve seen gaps develop between some of your planks. Lord knows we have. Open gaps are not only an eyesore but they expose the floor to water damage chipping and other issues.

The problem is magnified when the boards were not tightly laid in the first place. For tips from our handyman co author on how to prevent gaps from emerging in your laminate flooring keep reading.