How to Fix Gaps in Laminate Flooring & Extend the Life of Your Floors

Laminate flooring is a fantastic, high-value choice, known for its scratch resistance, affordability, and realistic wood or stone visuals. However, one of the most common issues homeowners face is the formation of unsightly gaps between planks. While small gaps can be an aesthetic nuisance, large or numerous gaps signal an underlying issue that compromises the long-term integrity of your floor.

As national experts in superior quality floor coverings since 1995, GC Flooring is dedicated to educating our customers across all 10 provinces. We believe the best way to fix gaps is through prevention, starting with choosing a high-quality product and ensuring proper installation. Here, we outline the primary causes of gapping and provide solutions for both high-quality and low-quality floors.

The Primary Causes of Laminate Gapping

Understanding why your laminate floor separates is the first step toward a permanent fix. In almost all cases, the cause falls into three categories:

1. Environmental Fluctuation (The Climate Factor)

Laminate’s core is typically High-Density Fibreboard (HDF), which is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture).

• In Winter (Dry Climate): During the long, dry Canadian winter (especially in provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan), the planks lose moisture and shrink. If the locking mechanism is weak or the room humidity is too low (below 35-40%), the planks pull apart, causing gaps.
• In Summer (High Humidity): Conversely, if the planks swell due to high humidity, they may push against walls, causing stress that forces planks apart elsewhere.

2. Improper Installation

Gapping is often a sign that the floor was not allowed enough room to move during the installation process.

• Missing Expansion Gap: Laminate must have a 6mm to 10mm expansion gap left around the entire perimeter of the room (underneath the baseboards or trim). If the floor is installed too tightly against the walls, it has nowhere to expand, causing the whole floor to buckle or compress the planks, forcing them to separate.
• Uneven Subfloor: Laminate requires a level subfloor (no more than 1/8 inch deviation over 6 feet). If the subfloor is uneven, the planks will flex when walked on, stressing and eventually breaking the locking mechanism.

3. Poor Quality Product

The quality of the locking mechanism is the plank’s defense against climate and traffic.

• Weak Lock System: Cheap, inferior laminate often features a thin or weak click-lock system that can easily disengage when subjected to minor environmental stress or heavy foot traffic. GC Flooring only sells products we can stand behind, ensuring our laminate features robust, high-quality locking systems designed for long-term stability.

DIY Solutions for Fixing Existing Gaps

If you have a gap, here are three common methods to pull the planks back together:

1. The Rubber Mallet and Suction Cup Trick:
   • For small, recent gaps, clean the area thoroughly. Place a heavy-duty suction cup onto the plank with the gap and tap the plank sharply back toward the seam using a rubber mallet (or a rubber-soled shoe) to pull the plank back into engagement.
2. Using a Strap Clamp (Ratchet Strap):
   • For wider gaps or gaps affecting multiple rows, use a ratchet strap clamp. Place the ends across several planks and slowly tighten, pulling the rows back together. This works well if the planks have migrated across the room.
3. Gap Filler/Colour-Matched Putty:
   • For small, stubborn gaps that won’t lock back into place, a colour-matched putty or filler designed specifically for laminate can be used to disguise the separation. Use this sparingly, as it seals the gap and prevents the natural movement of the floor.