How to fix laminate floor gaps

Learn how to fix floating floor gaps with a simple and inexpensive DIY floor gap fixer! Lord knows we have! All laminate flooring and some engineered wood flooring like ours are floating floors. This means that the floorboards are not nailed, glued or stapled to the subfloor.

Last Updated: June 12, Fact Checked. With over 27 years of experience, Norman has expertise in all five of the general building trades carpentry, ceramic tile, drywall, electrical, plumbing. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed , times. Gaps in your laminate floors are eyesores, and are also perfect places for dust and debris to collect. Fortunately, you can close those gaps with only a couple simple tools and a few moments, and in most cases without redoing your flooring altogether.

How to fix laminate floor gaps

While installing laminate flooring can be frustrating, what's even more irritating is finding gaps between the planks, especially after all the hard work of DIYing the project. Now, you have to find a way to fix it without ripping up the floorboards or pulling out your hair. Luckily, there's an easy hack that only requires one thing: duct tape. With just a roll of duct tape, you'll be able to pull the laminate flooring back into place in seconds. While there are many reasons the laminate planks might separate — such as humidity, issues with the locking mechanism, or a subfloor that isn't level — this TikTok hack posted by baldbuildersandfriends, a TikTok account about home renovation and tips for fixing things yourself, will have your flooring perfect once more, just like when it was installed. Plus, since this DIY trick only uses a bit of duct tape, it's as cost-effective a solution as it is simple. To push a separated laminate flooring plank back into place, unroll a piece of duct tape about a foot long don't cut it off the roll and firmly stick it along the floorboard near the gap. Step on the tape attached to the floor to hold it into place, and pull the roll of duct tape up, creating a line of tape that's perpendicular to the floor. While holding the roll, lift your foot and give a swift kick to the tape in the direction of the gap, and voila! Peel the tape off and the extra space should be gone, saving the laminate flooring you slaved over. If you're worried that the gap will return someday, you can clean and apply wood glue to the edge of the plank before sliding it back into place to prevent the flooring from separating again. While duct tape can sometimes leave a sticky residue behind after it's removed, there's no need to forgo this laminate-flooring hack. You could try using the no-residue version of duct tape, or simply apply a little WD and a dry cloth to wipe the stickiness right off. WD is safe on laminate floors, and can also be used to remove scuff marks.

Finally an inexpensive project and I can do myself.

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Laminate flooring is known for its easy installation and durability, features that make it one of the best-selling floors. Can or should you fix those gaps in your laminate flooring? You can fix gaps in laminate flooring on your own, especially if the gaps are tiny and manageable. Poor installation, changes in humidity, and temperature all contribute towards the formation of gaps in laminate flooring. To fix large gaps, however, you might need to replace the problematic planks. Still here? Read on to learn proven ways to fix gaps in your laminate flooring and have it look good as new in no time. Failure to give the planks enough time to acclimatize to your home environment is a recipe for disaster.

How to fix laminate floor gaps

Gaps in laminate floors are unsightly and are the ideal place for debris and moisture to accumulate, which can ruin your flooring over time. Thankfully, you can fix such spaces in just a few minutes, with a few basic tools, and without completely rebuilding your flooring. It's reasonably common for laminate floors to develop gaps over time due to various factors, from fluctuations in humidity and temperature to improper installation. However, there are solutions you can use to address this issue and restore the beauty of your flooring. The best way to fix gaps in your laminate floor is by using a simple DIY solution. It involves using a laminate floor repair kit, which can be easily purchased online or at any home improvement store. Here's how to tackle the issue effectively, according to our experts.

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Home Depot does not carry the tape you recommended, but does cary in the store Scotch 1 in. Featured Articles How to. So are we, Chris! Any thoughts? Make sure the subflooring is perfectly level. I went to harbor freight and they have a tool with suction cups, one on each side. Plus, since this DIY trick only uses a bit of duct tape, it's as cost-effective a solution as it is simple. Harbor Freight suction did not work with my floors because they are too textured, so on to plan B. Rock it gently from side to side if it proves difficult to dislodge. Remove the gap fixers and repeat the process for any remaining gaps. I had my furnace go out in January and because it was the coldest part of our winter my house only had heat from an electric fireplace and one of those Amish heaters.

Last Updated: June 12, Fact Checked.

Thank you for sharing this solution. Wood glue dries quickly, and once it does, it will be tough to get a second shot. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. This could dislodge it, or even damage the underside of the flooring. I had a real hack install my Regal engineered hard wood floating floor. Sounds like yours are pretty easy to fix though — at least temporarily! Use firm but controlled strikes. You can stain the just to match the floor, then push it into the crack with a putty knife, a scraper or a screwdriver. Toggle Menu Close. Remove the gap fixers and repeat the process for any remaining gaps. Then, place them on the planks on either side of the gap, about 1 in 2. Peel the tape off and the extra space should be gone, saving the laminate flooring you slaved over. It also comes with a cheap rubber mallet. We have the same problem but ours opened up along the length.