How to Fix Floating Floor Gaps

[@liit4m8]

How would you get the boards to stay in place? I have a problem of a few chuffing around in my floor.

[@dgsantafedave1]

Thanks for uploading this video! Worked awesome and I was able to fix the gaps in my floor. I am glad you show the mega roll on your video because i went thru a small roll and I was able to finish using the mega roll. I also would re-sand my block of wood after a couple of lines of the floor and that helped the tape stick to the block. Thank you very much!

[@TheNavagePatch]

Glad to hear it, Dave! You're very welcome!

[@TroyOi]

Too easy! I was all set to have to go out and buy wood putty & paint & whatever it would take to fill in the gap and make it blend. But thankfully, yours was the first video I stumbled upon. Now I just have to figure out what to do with all that extra free time this afternoon.

[@anthonybramante2921]

This worked excellently for me! Took longer to get the materials/tools than to do the job!

[@roys6339]

Hey thanks , this technique worked for me after suction cup idea failed (wouldnt stick to textured tiles) . I only used some fairly light weight tape that I had in the garage but it still did the job. Thanks again

[@TheNavagePatch]

Glad to hear it, Roy!

[@miketymike3651]

This worked like a champ. I'm trying to get my house ready to sell and now I have one less worry.

[@TheNavagePatch]

Glad it worked for you, Mike!

[@Josui1471]

Extreme strength mounting tape. Got it. Great tip!

[@TheNavagePatch]

Glad it helped!

[@JavidIsEnough]

Great👍 your trick worked like a charm... Thank you so very much.

[@TheNavagePatch]

You're welcome!

[@officiallistengreatmuzik]

Thank you very much! This idea worked great for me

[@TheNavagePatch]

Glad it helped!

[@chooseanameforme888]

Very creative and effective. I will try it

[@TheNavagePatch]

Good luck!

[@AlyssasLifestyle]

Oh wow. Thank you so much!!! I have been freaking out!!!!!

[@TheNavagePatch]

You're welcome - it's really an easy fix!

[@John_II]

And here I was kicking at the floor boards with rubber soled shoes like an idiot... Great video.

[@TheNavagePatch]

Thanks, John!

[@TheWolfManBC]

i went out bought the tape, got home, decided i would first try to kick the floor boards with rubber soled shoes like an idiot.... on my way back to home depot with unused tape. the rubber soles worked like a charm. just got to give'r like hell.

[@lovepreetsingh-si8kg]

Thnku men ..For .great Information 😊🤙🏻

[@TheNavagePatch]

You're welcome!

[@conservativeamber1216]

Great method..Saves us from buying a double suction Cup Just gotta make sure that we Vacuum out Whatvr debris is in the Gap first Thanks 😊

[@TheNavagePatch]

Absolutely! Clean it our first, and you're good to go. Glad it helped!

[@denisedurocher3994]

I tried it and it works! Thank you so much for this excellent tip.

[@TheNavagePatch]

Glad it helped, Denise! :)

[@stefanoparisi4415]

Nobody asks the question of how do you stop it from happening again?

[@KyokushinKichiKai]

Too easy! Thank you Sir!

[@TheNavagePatch]

You're welcome!

[@ceciliaperry8599]

Thanks so much for this. Will being trying this method.

[@conservativeamber1216]

Make sure you Vaccum the Gap first..Remove all the tiny Debris

[@TheNavagePatch]

You are so welcome!

[@sukimada7482]

Thanks. It is very helpful.

[@TheNavagePatch]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dmp9021]

Thank you!! I've seen videos of someone using a suction cup, and then using the wood to tap the suction cup...I have not found that good of a suction cup, so finding a good double sided tape...Thank you!!!

[@TheNavagePatch]

We couldn't do the suction cup method because the smallest cups had a 4-inch diameter, but our boards were 3.5 inches, so had to come up with this method!

[@dmp9021]

@@TheNavagePatch Oh, ok, well, Thank you for the good brand of double sided tape to use...Your video was great and the end with the cast and crew names, had me laughing....

[@heatherfreeland7916]

This worked great! Thank you!

[@TheNavagePatch]

So happy to hear it! :)

[@Coogi902]

So we have this same issue. However, we can fix it by simply kicking it back into place. The boards are easy to move, that’s a problem. After we close the gap, it opens back up again the next day. Any advice?

[@fatboiindahou5e]

You have to use glue. If it’s opening up like that, chances are the lock on the side joint is busted. Beating the board like in the video can also run the risk of busting the lock. Use I glue approved for tongue and grove floors and tape it for a day.

[@dmitripogosian5084]

Same here, not sure who installed that floor, but most boards slide easily in long direction. I can move all gaps to the wall, but how do I fix then there ?

[@TheNavagePatch]

Use glue as suggested.

Thanks for the video, awesome!

[@TheNavagePatch]

Glad you liked it!

[@austincornett367]

Great video

[@TheNavagePatch]

Thank you!

[@vanmann8347]

No need for adhesive taping. Vacuum the gap, apply super glue and kick into place. Done and done ✅

[@juliac.3400]

Thank you 😊

[@TheNavagePatch]

You're welcome 😊

[@tammybirnel8116]

Worked but tape kept coming off....too spendy of tape to retape it each time. How much sanding do you do, to make it stick on wood? Also the tape got "squishy" etc. bc I had suggested supergluing the tape on, so it won't come off! Husband said no...anyhow, don't want to reapply new tape for each board bc we have several....thanks!

[@TheNavagePatch]

Just enough to smooth the wood. 220 grit.

[@pkaspar78]

What about gaps along the long sides? I have professionally installed engineered wood floor. After about four months the gaps are almost everywhere, but I noticed there are some along the long sides too🙁

[@TheNavagePatch]

That's a different ball of wax for which there's no quick fix, unfortunately.

[@sandygolden6380]

Yes, there is now a gap at the toe molding.....and you can only widen the baseboards so much.....sigh. I hate my engineered floors!

[@Dr3amtime]

That will work in one of my rooms. But what if gaps are on the long sides of the boards instead of the short sides?

[@TheNavagePatch]

That's a whole different ballgame, John. For hardwood floors, I've seen people use putty, a mixture of sawdust and glue, wood filler, and my favorite for antique wood floors - oakum and tar.

[@vipkarl]

Can't wait to try

[@TheNavagePatch]

Works like a charm!

[@DBTAudio]

Thanks!

[@TheNavagePatch]

No problem!

[@michellemichael6526]

Thank you

[@TheNavagePatch]

You're welcome!

[@sylviaseri4235]

Great idea! I would also put some wood glue on the problem joint so it does not separate again.

[@TheNavagePatch]

That's good tip, Sylvia!

[@ginadaining5721]

Thank you! Will try this!

[@TheNavagePatch]

Good luck, Gina!

[@drummerrck]

How does the sandpaper come into play?

[@TheNavagePatch]

I sanded the block so the mounting tape would stick better.

[@ffl101]

So in my new home I have 5 gaps in diff rows... Which extend back 20 feet.. so essentially just keep doing it until I have nothing left to the baseboard?

[@TheNavagePatch]

That's exactly right, Felice.

[@tom64foertsch34]

Thanks for the Great tip. Easy DIY fix, inexpensive and effective

[@TheNavagePatch]

You're welcome!

[@backinokdena]

You just saved me $60. Thank you.

[@TheNavagePatch]

Happy to help!

[@chrispapa2782]

Good idea xxx

[@TheNavagePatch]

Thanks!

[@smoothoperator7023]

My wife: what about that one? Me: turns & hands her tools, go get a beer & kick my feet up. 🍺

[@TheNavagePatch]

LOL!

[@queenrae91]

Great video. Thanks. Will be trying this hope it works this good for me also. I Will update soon!!

[@JavidIsEnough]

It really works ....just go for it.

[@TheNavagePatch]

Awesome!

[@DoctorHappy]

I have Shaw Nottaway flooring and these gaps in two rooms. I don't think they were so noticeable when we first built the house. I've tried this method and it seems the flooring is glued down. Could that be the case? Any suggestions if so?

[@TheNavagePatch]

Is yours a hardwood floor? If so, the boards are nailed and this method won't work. It's only for floating floors, which are usually engineered wood.

[@danceislife3302]

Awesome thanks

[@TheNavagePatch]

You're welcome, Anita!

[@Sundae43]

Can you use any block Where do you buy the block from

[@mrofhollywood]

Basically any piece of scrap that you already have laying around will work.

[@Sundae43]

@@mrofhollywood thank you

[@guyslife7638]

Brilliant!

[@TheNavagePatch]

Thanks!

[@user-jt1jv8vl9r]

But how do you prevent it from reoccurring?

[@TheNavagePatch]

You can add glue to the joint before closing the gap. I chose to leave it alone. It's an easy enough thing to fix again. We've moved now, but the gaps were still closed over two years later when we left.

[@jaimedeline6170]

Can you link the exact brand of tape you used?

[@TheNavagePatch]

You can find it on Amazon here: amzn.to/3m99ecz

[@simongaskin6451]

The whole of my laminate floor seems to have shifted, any tips on how I can straighten it back up please, no space in 1 corner but big gap in opposite corner, seems to have twisted. Any advice would be great.

[@TheNavagePatch]

Hi Simon,assuming the room isn't too big, you could put on some grippy sneakers, run towards the corner you want to shift, jump and then land and push. Since a floating floor literally just floats on a cushioning pad, you should be able to rotate the entire floor enough to straighten it out again.

[@simongaskin6451]

I will definitely try that, I assume I would need to get some weight of the floor to make that option work

[@jherschel]

wow, this looks so easy, why didn't I think of that?

[@TheNavagePatch]

There's nothing to it - couldn't be simpler!

[@singlefather01]

The hardwood floors are nailed usually

[@TheNavagePatch]

Correct. This fix is for floating floors - laminate and engineered wood.

[@wsquared13]

Can I assume it also works on the long side as well?

[@joellee7274]

This method will only work on the plank ends. If you have gaps along the length of the plank then you'll have to take it up and redo it.

[@TheNavagePatch]

Exactly right

[@Jstudios100]

Will this work on vinyl floors?

[@TheNavagePatch]

Hi Jack, it'll work on any floating floor, vinyl, laminate or engineered wood.

[@DatCookJohn]

Whats the reason for this problem ??

[@TheNavagePatch]

Seasonal expansion and contraction of wood due to fluctuating humidity levels.

[@waltbee6333]

Do you know what caused the gaps?

[@TheNavagePatch]

Hi Walt, it gets very dry in the winter, especially with forced-air heating. Everything dries to the bone. Floors recede, wooden furniture cracks, and the humidifier we had wasn't up to the task. Steam is the way to go in the future.

[@TuckerPearce]

Great! Now what do I do if they literally move around with little to no effort

[@TheNavagePatch]

Hmmmm, all of them? I know others have used wood glue to hold them together. Haven't tried it myself, but it could work.

[@ajbecquet4038]

Do they stay closed though? My floors are gapped in areas and it drives me crazy.

[@TheNavagePatch]

Some people add glue to the gaps before closing them. I didn't do that, but they were still closed when we moved out 2 years later.

[@ajbecquet4038]

@@TheNavagePatch thank you for the information! We will give it a try.

[@bluetrue6062]

Thanks! Saves me some "wife" pain😁

[@TheNavagePatch]

LOL, don't I know it!

[@veromontero4641]

I moved in to a condo 11 months ago the floor was put new and now I been seeing suddenly the wood is coming out and so much gaps. At one point I’m thinking if I was to chubby to walk lol but I’m only 160 anyways i hope you guys laughed 😬. But seriously I don’t understand and worry that my landlord will charge me for damages but I haven’t done anything to the floors . Is there particular reason why this is happening ?

[@TheNavagePatch]

Wood tends to dry out and shrink in winter and then swell and expand in summer. With these floors though, it seems like it's easier for the wood to contract and form gaps than it is to expand and close them again. This method just closes those gaps back up.

[@tammybirnel8116]

PS--tape actually sticks to the FLOOR...

[@TheNavagePatch]

Mine didn't stick too badly. Helps to keep the floors a little dirty.

[@torontodiy]

Nice 👍 1 sub here

[@emery6709]

should I sand down the scrap 4x4 first before putting on the double sided tape?

[@TheNavagePatch]

Yes, that would help the tape stick.

[@poormansoutdoors.6765]

Nice

[@TheNavagePatch]

Works like a charm

[@enghocktan5360]

原来是这样

[@TheNavagePatch]

Thank you...I think? :)

[@chrispapa2782]

Could you put some glue in between so that it doesn’t move again?

[@TheNavagePatch]

You could, but I wouldn't glue too many of them. A floating floor needs to be able to float. I suppose as long as you're not nailing it down, you'd be okay.

[@serf6355]

slick!

[@TheNavagePatch]

Thank you!

[@PAOLINAG]

OMG 😀🙏🏻

[@TheNavagePatch]

Thanks!

[@jjnlucky]

great info but I had a hard time reading the captions quickly because of the letters flying around. I know how tempting it is to use that stuff... just... don't... do... it. Adds nothing to your video -- the excellent info will carry it just fine.

[@TheNavagePatch]

LOL, you're right, Judy. That was one of my first, so I was still honing my skills...such as they are. :D