how to repair gaps in old hardwood floors

• Filling floorboard gaps with stained rope. A natural rope is a commonly used for filling gaps in hardwood floors found in many old homes. ...
• Using wood putty to fill gaps in wood floor. Wood putty or fillers can be used on small, stable openings that are not caused by changes in humidity.
• Fixing gaps in hardwood floor with wood strips. This method works best for wider gaps. ...
• Filling gaps in hardwood floor with sawdust. Fine saw dust mixed with wood glue or polyurethane is a quick fix for gaps in a wooden floor. ...

Full Answer

How to fix old hardwood floors with gaps and cupping?

How to fix hardwood floor cupping

• Make sure you have a reliable wood moisture meter so you know how much the wood moisture content has risen or can identify wet problem areas. ...
• Determine where the moisture is coming from. ...
• Get a dehumidifier, especially if you have a basement or an area of the house that tends to be more humid than other areas. ...

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How do I fill the gaps in my hardwood floor?

• The first thing you need to do before filling gaps with silicon in old wood floors is to get them as clean as possible. ...
• Now, you will need to get ready to fill those gaps with your materials. ...
• Now you are ready to actually correct the gaps in your hardwood floor. ...

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How to fill gaps in prefinished hardwood floors?

Longer Lasting Solutions

• Flexible gap fillers. This is a great fix for any narrow gaps that start to form in your flooring. ...
• Wood. A good option for any larger shaped gap is to use pieces of the same wood to fill them. ...
• Rope. One of the oldest tricks in the book is to use rope pieces to fill any gaps in your hardwood flooring.
• Sawdust. ...

How do I fix a gap in my hardwood flooring?

Steps on How to Fill Hardwood Floor Gaps With Wood Putty

• Clean the gap off dirt and debris using vacuum or your putty knife. ...
• Using a small amount at a time, apply wood putty to the gap. ...
• Let the putty dry for at least 24 hours before walking on the floor. Wipe the floorboards clean of any wood putty residue using a damp cloth.

Can you fill gaps in old hardwood floors?

Filling Large Gaps in Old Wood Floors There are many different ways to go about correcting this type of issue, but we will dive into the most common. Using caulk or silicon is often the fastest way to restore some semblance of normal to your gorgeous hardwood floors.

Why are my old hardwood floors separating?

Apart from moisture and temperature fluctuations, wood floor boards can separate and develop gaps if the flooring hasn't been properly acclimatised prior to installation or if an insufficient expansion gap has been left around the room.

What is the best way to fill gaps between floorboards?

Some floorboard sealing products involve permanent adhesives or silicone based sealants, but with its clever design all you need to fit StopGap and fill those pesky gaps once and for all is a pair of scissors and an old credit card. That's it!

Should you fill gaps between floorboards?

The even look of a gap-filled floor is pleasing to the eye but not always necessary. Filling gaps does stop draughts and prevents the build up of dust between the gaps. It also tightens the floor and helps prevent timber movement.

Will polyurethane fill cracks in wood floor?

Sawdust and Unfinished Floors Mix the dust with some polyurethane and fill the cracks. Note that this method only works on an unfinished floor and will clash with pre-finished floors.

What to use to fill in gaps in hardwood floors?

0:584:47How To Fill In Gaps Between Hardwood Flooring With Wood FillerYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPress down and go right over to ensure that all of the wood filler is actually going into the gapMorePress down and go right over to ensure that all of the wood filler is actually going into the gap and just continue doing that along each of the gaps that you have in your hardwood flooring.

Can I use caulk instead of wood filler?

Yes, you can use caulk instead of wood filler for filling wood gaps, cracks, frames, trims, corners, and sealings. Both caulk and wood filler is used to fix cracks or gaps. Mostly caulk is used to fill gaps in corners and edges while the wood filler is used to fill gaps, cracks in flat surfaces.

What to use to fill large gaps in wood?

Wood putty: A putty is a good option for fixing up large gaps and holes. For one, it has natural wood! It won't have a problem with shrinkage like other fillers, and wood putty is often oil-based. Wood putty can be used with projects for any type of environment.

What is the best way to fill gaps in wood flooring?

Flexible gap fillers. This is a great fix for any narrow gaps that start to form in your flooring. Instead of pushing filler out from the gap when your wood expands with heat, it flexibly adapts with your flooring. Before use, make sure to vacuum to get rid of any debris which may impact the performance of the filler.

What are the advantages of hardwood flooring?

Some advantages of hardwood flooring include its easy installation, the ease to clean, and its ability to fit in with a range of home decor styles. The only thing with hardwood flooring which you may need to keep on top of is fixing any gaps that may appear over time. This is something that you can only really prevent if your flooring has recently ...

Why do people put hardwood flooring in their homes?

Many people are now opting to install hardwood flooring in their homes due to the classic look and hard-wearing durability. Hardwood flooring can come in many different types and can make an impressive statement in any home.

Why do gaps appear in hardwood floors?

So why do gaps appear in hardwood floors? As temperature changes throughout the days or seasons, the wood expands and contracts in response.

How to keep wood filler from moving?

The only way to prevent the wood filler from moving with the wood is to keep the humidity of your home maintained throughout the day. This can be quite difficult to keep on top of, especially if you work away from your home or have a budget set aside to spend on your A/C.

How to fill gaps in wood?

To fill the gaps successfully, cut them to size, and apply some wood glue to the edges. Ensure that your room is humid before placing the wood into the gaps as this will have the best results. As the wood would have expanded in the humidity, you may need to use some light force to place the wood into the gaps.

Do you wax hardwood floors?

If you do choose to replace your hardwood flooring, remember to stay on top of the upkeep by waxing regularly and filling any gaps that appear with our suggestions in this article!

What About Wide Gaps?

For wide floor gaps it may be necessary to fix them with wood shims, narrow strips of wood or rope. Each of these processes are a little more time consuming but are a more permanent and are often more attractive looking than using a putty or paste. In any of these options, be sure the floorboards are secure before proceeding. Measure narrow strips of wood or rope to the length of the gap and using an adhesive. Then place the wood or rope in the gap. If using wood, weight it to dry.

How to stop gaps in hardwood floors?

You can choose to use room humidifiers or furnace humidifiers; both will help minimize the chance of gaps showing up in your hardwood floors down the road.

What filler to use for gaps?

Using fillers – such as putty, powdered filler, which is mixed to a putty or paste form, or even caulking – resolves gaps if done properly. It is best to use fillers with few narrow gaps. However, as humidity changes and the floor expands and contracts, the filler may actually be forced out.

What does it mean when a floor has too many gaps?

Too many gaps, extremely wide gaps, or a floor that has movement (creaking or loose boards) may require extensive repair. One thing to be aware of when determining the extent of a floor gap is to know whether or not the gap is considered normal. This means it may close when the weather changes.

Can you use powdered filler on a floor?

It is best to use fillers with few narrow gaps. However, as humidity changes and the floor expands and contracts, the filler may actually be forced out.

Can you re-install a hardwood floor?

As with any repair job for a hardwood floor, it’s important to check with the manufacturer of your hardwood floor as well as the products you’re using to make sure you’re following directions properly. Floors with extensive gaps or in disrepair may benefit from being pulled and completely re-installed. Thiw will properly and permanently fix the floor gaps.

Can you use wood strips to fill gaps?

Further, if you’re using wood strips or shims as the filler for fixing a floor gap, be sure to fill the floor gap when the weather is most humid, as this will be when the gap is the smallest and will lessen the likelihood of the wood pieces or shims from splitting or cracking when the wood expands. Once the wood or rope fillers have dried you can finish off with sanding, in the case of the wood strips, and stain to match the finish of the hardwood floor.

What Causes Gaps in Hardwood Floors?

The first thing you need to do is understand where the gaps in your hardwood originated. There are some simple things you can do to prevent this issue from ever occurring. In fact, some of these suggestions may even undo gaps in the wood that have already been created.

Why do wood floors stick together?

Wood is a hygroscopic material, meaning that it absorbs moisture from the air around it. During the warm and humid months of summer, you are not likely to see gaps in your wood floors. The planks swell and stick together. In fact, you may even see the opposite problem in summertime, where they become cupped in an attempt to push away from moisture.

What happens to wood boards in winter?

The humidity levels in the airdrop dramatically as the furnace continues to run. The air absorbs what is left of the water in your wood, and the boards shrink down. As a result, you are left with gaps between the boards .

Can you fill gaps in wood floors?

While you can certainly hire a professional to walk you through the process, filling gaps in old wood floors doesn’ t have to be difficult. Depending on the severity of the issue, it may be extremely time-consuming, though.

Do wood floors withstand the test of time?

Particularly during dry seasons like winter, you might notice that there are some gaps between the boards .

Can you stain wood with polyurethane?

You can stain it or leave it with a natural polyurethane finish. Keep in mind that if the wood swells up again, the wood filler you just added may crack and come out of place. Try to keep the humidity levels in your home consistent to avoid this outcome.

Who is Thomas Luttrell?

Specializing in building and renovating homes, Thomas Luttrell has worked in homebuilding since 2002. He also holds a bachelor's degree in English from Iowa University.

How thick should floorboards be to level a cupped floor?

1. Examine the cross-section of the floor in a doorway to determine its sanding history. New floorboards are usually 3/4 inches thick, and to level a cupped floor, you may have to remove as much as 1/16 inch or more of the wood. Boards that are less than 5/8 inches thick should probably be replaced.

What is the difference between gapping and cupping?

Cupping occurs when the boards swell and push against each other, raising their edges; gapping occurs when they shrink. If the problem is confined to one or two boards, you can replace them, but it's more common for the problem to be widespread on an old floor.

What to wear to prevent dust from getting into the air?

Wear a dust mask and cover the doors and windows with plastic. It's also important to cover air intake vents to prevent the dust from getting sucked into the central air system. Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities.

Do you have to replace engineered wood floors?

If your examination of the floor reveals that the boards are engineered with a veneer, then you'll probably have to replace the floor. Sanding engineered boards enough to correct cupping will probably wear off the veneer.

What Are Acceptable Gaps in Hardwood Floors?

Gap width and thickness will vary depending on a number of things. Although the humidity levels play a major part in how wide the gaps and cracks become, there are a few more factors that affect how much the hardwood floor will shrink and gap.

What is the best flooring to use for a gap?

If you can, go for the slimmer or skinner hardwood floorboards for your hardwood flooring to prevent gaps from appearing, or at least maintain a minimum gap thickness in your flooring.

Why is it important to acclimate hardwood floors?

The proper acclimation of your hardwood floorboards prior to installation is crucial to avoid any sudden changes to their dimensions once they are already installed. This includes the development of gaps and floorboards that are separating from each other. Acclimation is the process of making balancing out the moisture content of the floorboards to the humidity levels of the room. It is important, when acclimating the floorboards, that the heating and ventilation systems of the room are turned on to match the room’s normal micro-climate conditions when being used normally .

How long can you leave hardwood floorboards in a room?

The floorboards are left there for a few days with the room’s ventilation system allowed to continuously run to mimic the room’s normal micro-climate conditions on most days of the year. This will allow the hardwood floorboards to adapt and be in equilibrium with the moisture and humidity levels of the room’s normal conditions.

Why does my hardwood floor expand?

Hardwood floors tend to expand when they absorb more moisture and contract when they release it. It normally adapts and balances itself to the current conditions of its environment. So when the air is more humid, usually in the summer, the wood floor carries more moisture in it and will tend to become wider.

When do gaps appear in hardwood floors?

But should they be worried, and is it normal to have gaps in hardwood flooring? Seasonal gapping or separation of floorboards usually happen in hardwood floors and you’ll usually notice this happening during winter or when the air outside is dry and cold. And in most cases, you’ll find that these gaps close back up again during the hot season, or when the air outside is hot and humid.

When installing hardwood floors, what is the best time to pick a day?

When installing a hardwood floor, it is ideal to pick a day where humidity levels are considered to be the average for a year. It will be easier to set the room’s normal micro-climate conditions when you acclimate the hardwood floorboards inside that way. Also, during the installation of the floorboards, the humidity and moisture levels of the room should also be maintained constantly with ventilation or HVAC systems so as not to allow the floorboards to expand or contract unnecessarily.

How to prevent cracks in hardwood floors?

To avoid gaps and cracks in hardwood floors caused by expansion and contraction, we recommend the following: Acclimate the wood to the new environment for 10 days or more before installation. Use a hardwood floor underlayment paper to prevent moisture migration up through the subfloor from wet or damp basements.

Why does hardwood shrink in winter?

The wood loses moisture and starts to shrink as gaps form between boards. This expanding and shrinking due to moisture changes will take place even on high quality and properly installed hardwood floors.

How to make a rope fit a gap?

String out the rope along the gap line and press it using a putty knife so that it can perfectly fit .

What do you use to fill gaps in hardwood floors?

Filling gaps in a hardwood floor can be done using a stained rope, wood putty, or with wood strips.

Why seal and finish hardwood floors?

Properly seal and finish hardwood floors to avoid moisture absorption.

What is the best way to fill gaps in wood floors?

Fine saw dust mixed with wood glue or polyurethane is a quick fix for gaps in a wooden floor.

Why does wood expand?

Wood is a natural material that responds to changes in humidity and temperatures. Higher levels of humidity during the summer or rainy season causes wood to absorb moisture and expand.

Why are hardwood floors so popular?

Hardwood floors are becoming popular once again due to their beauty and new preservation techniques. Unfortunately, these floors suffer from problems which aren’t found in other floor types. One of the most annoying and potentially harmful issues are cracks forming in or between the boards. This problem can not only be remedied, but also prevented with proper floor maintenance.

Why is my hardwood floor shrinking?

One of the biggest causes of board shrinkage is low humidity. Hardwood floors can dry out over a long period of time, and running a small humidifier in the room or your furnace’s humidifier will help you avoid this problem.

How to remove cracks in a wood floor?

Begin by vacuuming the cracks using a hose attachment. This will help remove any particles that may interfere with the filler’s adhesion to the boards.

Can humidity cause cracks in hardwood floors?

While humidity may affect your hardwood floor, permanent cracking is also a possible issue. In cases where the gaps aren’t repaired by increasing the humidity levels, you will need to fill these cracks.

Can you replace putty on hardwood floors?

Putty fillers were once a mainstay of hardwood floor repair. Over time, however, the putty hardens, chips, and flakes. This leaves your floor looking even worse, and requiring you to dig out the old putty and replace it. For this reason, very few floor experts will still suggest using a putty filler.

Can you fill gaps in wood?

You may be tempted to fill the gaps with a wood filler. Unfortunately, this is not a permanent fix for boards affected by humidity, as the boards will continue to expand and contract. This type of cracking is considered normal for hardwood, and no filler method will hold up unless the proper humidity is maintained. Wood fillers are also not meant for use with large gaps.

Can filler be used to seal cracks?

There are many fillers available on the market which retain a measure of flexibility after drying. These are less likely to be pushed out if the boards swell, making them an excellent way to seal narrow cracks. Using filler is a simple process which requires a caulk gun and a caulk trimmer or equivalent removal tool.