Gaps in laminate flooring are a relatively common issue, especially with DIY projects or in areas with significant changes in temperature and humidity. In many cases, homeowners can fill in laminate flooring gaps themselves, but it’s important to understand the underlying causes of gapping to prevent recurring issues. Get to the bottom of your laminate flooring problems and enjoy years of worry-free use with tips from Floor Coverings International® of Cleveland South.
What Causes Gaps in Laminate Flooring?
Laminate is a floating floor, which means it is not directly attached to the subfloor itself. This allows the flooring, which typically has a wood core that absorbs and releases moisture, to expand and contract. Over time, this may cause the planks themselves to pull apart, leaving noticeable gaps.
The most common causes of gaps in laminate flooring are:
- Humidity and temperature changes: The wood core may contract when indoor humidity levels are too low (think below 35% relative humidity) for sustained periods. This is more likely to occur when indoor temperatures drop during the winter months.
- Insufficient expansion gaps: Planks should have roughly ¼ or ½ inch of expansion gap around the perimeter of the room. Expansion gaps give the flooring room to expand when they absorb moisture. Without this gap, they may buckle or push up the walls, resulting in gaps in the middle of the room once planks have contracted.
- Uneven subfloor: Uneven subflooring often causes laminate flooring’s click-lock system to disengage.
- Weight or movement: While less likely, dragging heavy furniture across the floor may cause planks to shift, leading to gaps.
How to Fix Gaps in Laminate Flooring
There are a few ways to address gaps in laminate planks, but it’s always worth having a professional assess the issue before pulling out your toolkit.
Tapping Planks – The easiest method is to use a rubber mallet to tap planks back into place.
- Find the loose planks (or the entire row). Start at the nearest wall and determine which direction you’ll need to push.
- Remove the baseboard or quarter-round trim near the wall (if necessary).
- Use a rubber mallet and tapping block to push planks away from the wall and toward the gap you’re trying to close.
- Once back in place, push down firmly to reengage the locking mechanism.
Suction Cups – This method only works with smooth surface laminate products.
- Clean the flooring surface with a damp rag to remove dust or dirt.
- Attach a heavy-duty suction cup onto the gapped plank.
- Pull up and in the direction you want the plank to move; carefully use a tapping block and rubber mallet to push the plank further along.
- Once back into place, press down on the plank to reengage the locking mechanism.
The Ultimate Fix: Have a Professional Repair Gaps in Laminate Flooring
If these methods don’t work, let Floor Coverings International® of Cleveland South fill the gaps in your laminate flooring. In some cases, we may need to replace damaged laminate flooring planks to prevent future gapping. We usually recommend replacing planks if they are severely warped, the locking mechanism is broken, or the gaps won’t stay closed. Either way, we make filling gaps in laminate floors easy by handling all the hard work for you.
Preventing Laminate Flooring Issues
Prevention is always less expensive than repair or replacement. Here are a few ways to prevent laminate floor gapping in the future:
- Control humidity: Use humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and your home’s HVAC system to keep your indoor humidity between 35% and 55%.
- Maintain subfloors: Inspect subflooring before installation or during repairs to eliminate it as a potential factor.
- Avoid moisture: Always use a slightly damp mop rather than a wet mop and address any leaks or spills immediately to prevent water damage.
With a little care and maintenance, your laminate floors should last 10 to 15 years or longer!
Your Local Laminate Flooring Experts
Floor Coverings International® of Cleveland West offers an expansive collection of laminate flooring products and expert installation services. Protect your flooring investment with the help of our highly skilled team and the area’s most convenient floor shopping process.
For prompt and professional services, schedule your free in-home consultation today.
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