How To Fix Laminate Floor Gaps [Quick And Easy Way]

Laminate floor gaps are one of the most common problems that homeowners encounter. Laminate is a type of flooring that has been made popular by its low cost and exceptional durability, but unfortunately, it’s not always perfect. Laminate flooring can develop cracks and gaps over time – most commonly in the kitchen and the bathroom because of the high amounts of moisture in those rooms.

Laminate flooring is one of the most popular choices available on today’s market. Laminate is affordable, easy to maintain and install, and, most importantly, if done right, will last you a long time. However, after several months or years of use, there’s chance that unsightly gaps will appear in your laminate flooring. Can you fix this – and how?

Gaps in laminate flooring typically present as spaces between the planks. Whether they’re large or small, gaps can be a problem. Small gaps may not seem like a big deal, but they can allow dirt and dust to build up if not treated right away. Large gaps should be left to professionals, however, as they may require replacement of the entire plank.

You can fix small gaps in laminate flooring on your own, but should replace or refasten large gaps. While there are ways to repair laminate flooring on your own, any job that is too large for DIY solutions will require a professional’s expertise and tools. To avoid future issues with laminate flooring, such as water damage, humidity shifts and temperature changes should be considered when choosing the right material and installing it correctly.

Still reading? Great! I’m going to show you how to use your floor again, and have it looking like new in no time.

How To Fix Laminate Floor Gaps – Complete Solution

Laminate floors are an affordable way to add warmth and style to your home, and can be installed to fit almost any budget. Laminate floors are very easy to install when you know how. There are a few main ways to remove laminate floor gaps: sanding, gluing, and fitting. In this post, we’ll take a look at all these methods.

1. By Using Floor Gap Fixer

A Floor Gap Fixer is a handy tool that’s designed to solve one problem: pesky spaces or gaps between your floating floors. It’s able to quickly and efficiently fill in these spaces, allowing you to walk seamlessly from one room to another.

lace the Floor Gap Fixer on the gap, then put the slats on top of it. Fasten it down with screws and this handy little tool will raise the floor by a couple inches. You can stop gaps in their tracks with this straightforward tool.

A flooring gap fixer is the best option for covering unsightly gaps on your laminate flooring.

Remove The Protective Backing

First, remove the protective backing from each face of the floor gap fixer. The stickier side should be facing up and ready to adhere to the underside of your laminate flooring. Take time to make sure that you align the floor gap filler in the same direction as your flooring’s planks.

No matter what flooring you have, the floor gap fixer will effectively eliminate gaps between your laminate. The rubber pad on the back of the adhesive is the most important part of the product. This is what grips the surface and keeps it in place. You will notice that the protective covering is not used after the product has been installed. This is because it is no longer needed for gripping or sticking purposes.

Place The Blocks

If a board gets displaced in your laminate, it should be pulled back to the nearest block. Do this by lining up the first cut of the end of the plank with the start of the block, then holding it in place while pulling the remainder of it back to the block. This is an important step that will ensure that your planks are properly secured and will not lose pressure over time.

If your corner is jutting out too far, take a breath and center your block right on top of the laminate plank. Slowly lift the plank up, keeping it at 2.5cm (1 inch) away from the end of the new block. This will give you a very good grip and ensure that you have enough support to move it easily.

The first thing to do before moving on to the next step is to place the floor gap filler in the correct position. Once that is done, place both feet on the two sides of the plank and move it towards the opening. Avoid removing the floor gap filler once you’ve placed it on the board as repeated removal can decrease its adhesive strength.

Place The Plank To The Center

The best way to maintain the look of your laminate flooring is to move the planks that are causing the gaps towards the center. Doing so will minimize the amount of visible gaps in your flooring and keep them from growing as time goes on.

If you’re moving multiple planks in a row, be sure to move your neighbor planks along with it to ensure optimal spacing consistency and keep your floor looking its best.

Use A Mallet

Malleting a floor gap is an old technique that carpenters have used for centuries. While this is the most common way to handle floor gaps, it can be dangerous if not done correctly. Before you mallet your gap, make sure that you’ve put your floor gap fixer in position. Hold it tightly in place and strike it with the mallet in a perpendicular manner.

If you are able to hit the laminate plank adjacent to the gap, you can use the force of the collision to re-adhere the loose plank. However, be careful not to overdo it – excessive force can dislodge neighboring planks or even damage the subflooring beneath your flooring.

Use a floor gap filler to eliminate separation on your laminate flooring. Apply the filler along the gap on either side of the plank, then cover it with a piece of tape and rub it in place. Then go over the patch with a dry roller (lint-free) to smooth it out.

2. By Using Wood Glue 

You’re likely to experience some gaps in your laminate flooring, but you can easily fill these gaps with the perfect wood glue. Wood flooring blocks are porous, so the wood-to-wood bond will be much stronger for high-quality wood glue.

When it comes to flooring, it’s crucial to use a strong adhesive to hold the laminate slabs together. Both Gorilla Glue and Titebond III are high-quality options that are proven to be effective at filling gaps and holding wood slabs firmly in place. Each brand offers a high-viscosity epoxy glue capable of filling the biggest gaps without cracking or failing over time.

While wood glue is a popular choice for filling the gaps in laminate flooring, other options available include wood putty and caulk. Although these products are inexpensive and allow you to fill holes in a snap, there’s a good chance they will take longer to dry. The drying time can easily cause you to rush through the process and make mistakes you regret later.

Putty and caulk both work well, but require special applicators and additional tools.

Choose Correct Equipment

It can be a tricky process, but a toothpick or cotton swab is enough to get the job done when applying wood glue on your laminate flooring. Although you simply place the glue into grooves, where the planks interlock, it can create an uneven surface if not applied correctly. When using a disposable syringe, you’ll be able to more accurately dispense even amounts of glue across the grooves.

As you might imagine, taking the time to lay down wood glue properly on your laminate flooring is a key factor to having a successful install.

Place The Glue

When you look into the gap in the laminated floor, you’ll find a square edge. This is where the plank should be joined to another one. Be sure to put a thick glue on the square edge, as it will make all the difference in the world when it comes to keeping your laminate floor intact.

Glue the wood laminate to the floor. Apply a thick layer of wood glue to the edges and then line them up with the flooring. Be sure that you cover all of the edges and that they are lying flush with the flooring.

When using wood glue to laminate a floor, you will need to work quickly and as efficiently as possible. It’s common to use too much glue and overwhelm the area — just make sure not to apply so much that it seeps into the gaps where the next board will be placed.

Working with wood glue is difficult, especially because it dries quickly. When gluing laminate to the floor, be sure to work fast and apply enough glue so that the subsequent steps produce a good result.

Push The Planks Together

When the floor grates are misaligned, they can pose a serious risk to human movement. Whether stepping on or off the stairs, one misstep can send a person over the edge. A floor gap fixer is used to stabilize each step and ensure a safe passage. Also called step fillers, these devices offer two important functions: to allow easy walking and, at the same time, provide stability.

There are multiple methods to fixing flooring gaps. Sinking the plank into the gap, pulling it out again and then hammering it along its length is one way to do it. But a more effective way is to use a flooring gap filler that has plastic teeth on one side — this gives you extra grip to hold down the plank when you hit it with a mallet.

Once you have found the gap in your floor, place the floor gap fixer in position. Using the rubber mallet, hit the plank from one side to the other until the gap is no longer there.

Remove The Excess Wood Glue

Wood glue is the best way to create a solid joint between the two planks. While other pliable glues will get into the cracks, wood glue makes a strong, resilient bond that can hold up against pressures and temperatures. Because wood glue does not naturally dissolve in water, it is important to use a damp cloth or sponge for cleaning off any excess that isn’t absorbed by the wood.

There are certain times when you might be tempted to use your hands to wipe off dried glue. It’s a bad idea with strong epoxies, as it will bind to your skin and pull out pieces of your flesh right along with the glue. Titebond III is aliphatic, meaning that it’s much safer than the stronger organic glues you may have used in the past, but it’s still best to wash hands immediately after use.

Once the laminate has been fitted and is sat in place, you’ll need to run a damp cloth down the gap between the floor boards — this will absorb excess glue that may have been poured during installation. Make sure to wipe across the gap so that no residue is left behind; you don’t want any glue on the floor, as it could cause a dangerous slip hazard.

If you used wood putty or caulk to fill the gaps in your laminate flooring, you’ll want to sand down the floor when the fillers have dried. Use 180-grit sandpaper or a higher value paper to give yourself a super smooth finish.

How to Avoid the Laminate Floor Gaps

Laminate flooring is a fantastic, budget-friendly flooring option, but one of the main problems is that it won’t lay flat. Here are a few ways to help ensure your laminate flooring goes down without bumps.

Let The New Laminate Floor Sit For 2-3 Days

Laminate flooring is susceptible to damage when exposed to rapid changes in temperature and humidity. To protect the flooring’s long-term value, we recommend bringing it inside at least two weeks before installation. Once installed, keep the flooring out of high traffic areas like bathrooms and kitchens until the subfloor has reached room temperature.

Acclimatizing the wooden planks ensures that when installed, the floor will not expand or contract for a few days, preventing buckling and warping. Acclimatization also allows wood to adjust to changes in temperature and humidity. It is recommended that you store wooden planks in an area with moderate temperatures of around 15-25 degrees Celsius for two to three days before installation.

Subfloor Should Be Level

The subfloor should be level because the flooring will not be level otherwise. If checks or gaps are found, they should be filled in and leveled again. A rise or depression in one area can cause gaps and issues with the rest of the floor.

The subfloor should be level and smooth before installation because the flooring will not adhere to bumps or depressions in the wood.

When installing laminate flooring, ensure that the subfloor of your home is level. If you are knowledgeable about subfloor leveling, clean the surface and apply a concrete leveler before laying down the laminate flooring.

If you do not have experience with floor setups, it is recommended to reach out to a professional.

Consult A Specialist

Using an expert to craft your laminate flooring might seem unnecessary to some DIY enthusiasts, but it’s one of the best ways to ensure quality work. While you might think that you could cut costs by handling the project yourself, there’s a good chance that your floor will end up looking as though it wasn’t installed by professionals.

When you’re looking for flooring contractors, hire from your area, as they will be able to craft a solution that works best for your specific home.

As soon as you’ve decided that you want to lay flooring, reach out to a flooring contractor. By utilizing the contractor’s experience and knowledge about the job, you’ll get the job done faster, easier, and above all, better. When it comes to laying flooring, an expert is truly invaluable.

Tips For Maintaining Laminate Flooring

Laminate floors have a tendency to become dirty and damaged over time. To ensure that your floors will stay attractive for years to come, follow these steps when you first buy the flooring and then on an ongoing basis.

Remove Water Fast

Laminate is extremely sensitive to water. Removing moisture immediately after it occurs is critical, because small amounts can cause the laminate to bubble or warp. These problems can also cause creaking noises over time as lumps and gaps form.

If your floors are at all porous, moisture can seep into the wood and cause gaps and creaks. This effect is greatly reduced if the flooring is sealed regularly, preferably with a solid colour tint that matches your interiors.

To get rid of the spill, you can use a clean dry rag to wipe it off. After you do that, you can use a vacuum cleaner or a mop to clean up any mess.

Use Mop Less Frequently

Cleaning laminate flooring may seem difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Microfiber is a perfect choice for laminate because it is softer than the actual surface of the floor, which means it can loosen and sweep away dirt particles as opposed to simply pushing them around. You should also use an all-purpose cleaner in conjunction with a microfiber mop head.

The Turbo Mop Floor Cleaning System is designed to remove stains, dirt and grime from your laminate flooring. Remember to use a dry microfiber mop head with the cleaning system so it doesn’t ruin your floors.

Use Mats at Start

Laminate floors are easily damaged by the grit from a dirty sole. The dirt can scratch your floor and leave it dull, dingy and unsightly. Placing a mat at the door both absorbs dirt and protects the flooring.

Your pets have a messy habit of spilling water or food on the laminate floor, and your best option to prevent this from happening is by using a pet-proof matting . The best is to get a mat that addresses various aspects of spilling, one that is made out of water-resistant materials with non-slip backing and padding.

Use A Protective Pad For Furniture

There is nothing worse than scuff marks on your beautiful laminate floors, but when you have marble or glass-top tables, and chairs with legs, you must use felt pads. The best solution to this problem is to buy a set of felt floor protectors at the same time as buying any new furniture. This ensures they’ll already be in place when the furniture arrives and prevents you from forgetting them at the store.

What Are Benefits of Laminate Floors

Laminate floorings are a great option for homeowners who are looking for a durable, attractive, and affordable flooring solution. Laminate is available in a wide range of styles and with many different features, so it can fit into even the most unique design scheme. The primary benefit to Laminate flooring is its affordability.

Very Affordable

Laminate is the most affordable way to give your home a hardwood or tile look. It’s made of cheap materials, but you’d never know it. Laminate’s ‘wood-inspired’ appearance means it is a great option for those looking to bring new life to their flooring at an extremely low price.

While real hardwood might be an ideal choice for families that care about quality and beauty, it just isn’t an economical choice for those looking to stay on budget. Thankfully, laminate manufacturers are committed to providing a beautiful, realistic alternative that won’t break the bank.

Environment Friendly

Laminate flooring has been designed to help save landfills and preserve the environment, but not just in the ways you might expect. Its wood-based composition makes it an excellent candidate for recycling and waste reduction, since it can be constructed with reclaimed wood and recycled paper and other materials. If, down the road, you wish to repurpose your floors, all you have to do is remove them from their old locations!

Easy Maintenance

Laminate floors can be a great investment for your home if you’re looking for both style and convenience. These floors are easy to clean and maintain, plus they’re completely weatherproof and stain-resistant — perfect for busy households. With so many different styles to choose from, there’s a laminate floor out there for every person’s taste.

Installation And Repair

Laminate flooring is one of the top choices for homeowners. It’s easy to install, portable, and can be customized with a variety of finishes. Laminate floors come in both solid hardwood and engineered wood versions. The hardwood version can easily be refinished and removed if needed, while the engineered version is great for rooms that experience moisture or humidity.

Durable

Laminate floors come with a tough exterior layer that can withstand dents, fading, stains, and scratches — making them the perfect long-term investment for your home.

Laminate flooring is known for its durability — it quickly becomes a strong and beautiful addition to any room. Below that tough exterior layer, you have an engineered wood floor that’s a cinch to clean. The adhesive layer protects the wood fibers underneath so that they never have to be sanded or refinished. And laminate floors are moisture-resistant so they are perfect for areas of your house that tend to experience higher humidity levels, like your kitchen or bathroom.

Conclusion

Gaps in laminate flooring are never a good look. Unfortunately, they tend to occur over time, especially in frequently accessed areas like the living room and kitchen. If you spot them, keep calm, and fix that gap as soon as possible!

To avoid this situation, you can easily tile over a gap using a floor tiles gap filler. This is an inexpensive and effective solution for the issue — one that will make your floors look like new again after just one application. For small gaps, you can use a similar method to fill up the space and give your floors a brand-new look.

Wood glue, wood putty, and caulk are all strong, long-lasting options for joining wooden planks together.