How To Fix Gaps On Overcut Laminate, Vinyl Plank (LVP) Engineered Wood Flooring Around Doors | DIY

[@thomascolbert2687]

I've used the same method of repairing.It's also useful if you have a few different colors of brown and/or gray colored caulk to blend the fill pieces a bit better. If your repair is wood or wood laminate,, you can also use colored wood filler putty. If you use wood filler, you can apply furniture stain and a fine tooth comb to make imitation grain.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for this useful advice and for sharing! I’ll pin this comment for everyone to take to consideration! 🙏🏽😊👍🏽

[@kevinsimpson1102]

U

[@goodtobehandy]

Caulk can be your friend when used right.

[@Rick_Smooth]

Can you tell us a brand of the laminate wood filler putty you're talking about? Thanks in advance!

[@sheen9957]

Use a Oscillating saw( place a peice of the new against the door jam) use the oscillator to cut the proper height. Slide the new floor under the door jam.. This is the proper way, it clean and professional

[@rdbuilds]

This video couldn’t have dropped at a perfect time for me. My beginner flooring install on my 1900 sqft rental left me some of these gaps and I just knocked one of them out with this method. You are the man!! Long time viewer here

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much! I’m glad I could be of help brother! 🙏🏽😊 stay safe and take care!

[@sheen9957]

Use a Oscillating saw( place a peice of the new against the door jam) use the oscillator to cut the proper height. Slide the new floor under the door jam.. This is the proper way, it clean and professional

[@margofitzgerald5395]

You are so right Ryan he dropped this video right on time.

[@cb-gz1vl]

For small gaps I just used matching colored tile caulk and then cut some grain into it.

[@rosaberry5319]

YES!! Thank you for this. I installed my own flooring. First time ever and super inexperienced. So I’m slowly fixing my first mistakes.

[@JoeTakagi00]

Same! Been looking for this answers for a week.

[@linayang9022]

Same here. ...

[@trvman1]

You could measure correctly :) I am just a DIY person. When I put down my floors and I had areas like this. What I did was take a small piece left over from a cut. Then I would do my measurements. Then I would cut out using those measurements. Then if I was a little too shot when I slid the piece under, I would just use that piece and trace it out on the piece I was going to use and make the cut a little bit longer where I was short and it would slide right in. If it was too long at one point, I would just trim it down and slide it back in to check. I would generally make the trial piece a little too long because its easier to trim down then be sort. Your not really wasting anything them maybe a few inch piece for your trial run. Now you have a perfect pattern and It's a lot better then having what we saw here. Those little pieces are great for practice cuts. You usually have plenty of them by the time you get to where you are doing these type's of cutouts.

[@lindamacneillmayberry4025]

Me three...! %99 happy with the whole floor job, but some sketchy bits/parts in the periphery to sort out.

[@wyattsdad8561]

Just fill it with caulking

[@malissathompson5673]

Thanks much! A friend did my floor (licensed contractor) and left these gaps. I kept srap pieces for a project and thought I could use those. Thanks much for showing me how to fix!

[@llinny2010]

Thank you for making this video! Your meticulous method is extremely helpful to us. I've been looking at a messed up flooring job for many years. Lesson learned: Homeowners don't pay for the cheapest job around. Go with professionals that cost more and have references/completed work to show!

[@coleenspector7658]

Thank you!! I made a cut a little too deep in a last row piece around a closet door. It was such a struggle to get in there was no way I was taking it out. This worked perfectly. Unless you shine a bright light on it, you’ll never see it. 🤗🤗🤗

[@Steve-hj6xv]

On smaller gaps I've stuffed yarn in to allow for expansion. Those are tricky cuts for "click and lock" flooring because you can't always tip it enough to lock it in around the jamb. If it's a high-end job the only way to do it right and still allow for expansion is to remove the jambs, but that's a lot of extra work for little return on the aesthetic appeal.

[@masitraproductions977]

Theirs lots of ways around this without removing the jams. Measure and cut the bottom of the jams, leave a row up to the jam empty for space. Tap the floor under the jams then lay the row in which you left a gap for. You can cut the lock off the board and use glue if you can’t lock this row together.

[@Steve-hj6xv]

@@masitraproductions977 thanks

[@cheetahfurry9107]

Thank you! I did not think of that. I have a tiny spot I need to fix from my first room. I got better as I went on though.

[@JasonMeeks79]

I've installed flooring in New and old homes. I've always used my sonicrafter, scrap piece of flooring. Cut the jamb and trim to make sure I get it all the way under

[@ghi1955]

thanks for the video. now i can fix my earlier mistakes installing laminate flooring

[@FixThisHouse]

I’m glad I could be of help! 🙏🏽😊

[@kerirobicheaux6629]

It is a better blend. I had flooring installed and I have to fix all kinds of stuff. Thanks for sharing your glue. 😀 You gotta know which took to use.

[@flickboogers9325]

Damn wish I came across your video sooner! My installer whacked the crap out of the area not sure why but let a huge gap. This is why I DIY can't stand wasting my time after I pay someone to do a job. Anyways I filled the area with white chaulk and painted it :(

[@ProAudioIQ]

Thanks for showing us how to actually repair it rather than just squirting a bunch of bulky and/or wavy looking colored caulk on it.

[@FixThisHouse]

I’m glad I could be of help Alexander! 👍🏽😊🙏🏽

[@Victoria.Gold247]

This is way better than filling it with ugly caulk. Thank you.

[@johns.1730]

You can also try tapping the floor from the opposite Edge and moving the whole row to slide under the molding

[@liviz40102]

On that size piece of you tap it back a whole section follows it, unlike a cleated in hardwood floor. Then your expansion gaps all go out of whack.

[@barkingshark6413]

Good video, I would suggest matching up the grain in the floor if you need to do this in the future. Then it will all blend in much better. Nonetheless helpful video for those that don’t know.

[@HeatherHolt]

I used a metal file to get them to fit perfectly in there when the pieces were barely too big to wedge in. I did this in my bathroom against the tub. They previously had quarter round nailed into the tub. It was the grossest thing I’ve ever seen.

[@adrianlouviere7650]

I have this problem at home. Thanks for the advice.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you for watching! 🙏🏽😊

[@ShanniSlayTV]

Exactly what I was thinking and I was hoping I was right you are a miracle from God

[@goodtobehandy]

Always a tough choice. Do you remove a lot of the floor or patch it. If I missed it when installing it I'll take up what's needed to do it right but when I'm fixing someone else's mistake and the install is complete I'll patch it like you've done. Some foam backer rod works great to fill in the void plus it creates a push back to keep the filler piece gap tight . A neat tool for working those little pieces in is a paint can lid key. Depending on the shape of The key and hook it works great for getting under the casing and behind the piece to move it around into position. Like you stated , patience is what's going to get you the best results.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you! I’ve never thought of using backer rod, that’s a great tip! Thank you for that! 🙏🏽😊

[@tinmouse1083]

Thanks to all the people who commented that colored caulk can work. I bought a house with this issue everywhere and there is no spare bits left at the house, no way to match such old laminate. I'll use caulk 😉

[@jane1385]

I have those gray color floors in a house we bought that has these on every door. Ugh. Do they have any to match that?

[@3875jd]

Good topic to cover ;) Also, invest in a flush cut saw like a pull saw. Trim off the bottom of the jam and trim at the level of the vinyl plank. Use that large piece of Vinyl plank that you trimmed small pieces from and cut a larger piece. Cut back the existing piece an inch or more then you have a nicer tie in that will slide under the the jam and trim(note: leave a 1/4" of space to the stud). Don't glue it unless you have to. The rest of the floor is meant to float and have tolerance to shift.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank so much much for sharing your advice! 🙏🏽😊

[@thomascolbert2687]

That's another good method.

[@normferguson2769]

This is one of the key uses for an oscillating saw. It will lay flush and cut the door frame level. I have used a piece of plywood or scrap flooring to get the correct level for the blade.

[@sheen9957]

💯 Use a Oscillating saw for a clean professional look for all the door jams

[@soddenbaker772]

so the jam and trim is left cut? I don't think that wld look bad just a genuine question. I have to fix this in a home I'm renovating. I have an oscillating saw to cut

[@Yuyusldrake]

This vudeo really gteat to help my instalation of mine, i do a lot of gap for cutting mistakes, thank you

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you for your feedback Julius! 🙏🏽😊

[@charlesleon4002]

Thanks for the info a.person really needs to be creative using this flooring product I don't really care for it but seems to be very popular in the remodeling world you have to be aware of alot problem's that can happen to avoid imperfect work great info thanks again 🙏👍

[@munozyoshi]

I just installed flooring and ran into 2 areas where when installing the baseboard, you can see a tiny gap. Nothing major but it's gonna bug me. It's scary how this showed up in my feed a few days later and I haven't even looked at videos about flooring....

[@katieslyfe4228]

Im in a rental and the builders left so many of these huge gaps everywhere and I’m nervous it’s related to a bug issue. Any other methods to try if I don’t have the flooring leftovers?

[@deborahhaynes8361]

The floor looks great

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much🙏🏽! It’s not the best, but definitely a solution for these type of situations 👍🏽😊

[@paulinedavis8734]

Great little tutorial ❤

[@GaryKari]

I just used best matching silicone for the gaps.

[@jbc2260]

I have the opposite problem: excess laminate under the door jamb, which causes the floor to swell and form protrusions during winter (higher humidity). Any tips on cutting the laminate under the door jamb to fix it?

[@docdoctme]

Great video and practical tips! Thanks for sharing.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you so much for watching! Have a great weekend! 🙏🏽😊

[@NasimMahmud]

Thanks for sharing. Very uncommon problem, and I am suffering from one :)

[@FixThisHouse]

I’m glad I could be of help! 🙏🏽😊

[@Truckingtowardsfreedom]

Just the video I needed. Thank you.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you 🙏🏽!

[@karengoodell4497]

If it’s a floating floor it needs space all around, EVERY perimeter, to float or your floor can buckle, much bigger problem! So what I did was inserted foam backer rod and then matching colored FLEXIBLE caulk. It must be stretchy and flexible so the floor can still float.

[@pattibertucci9469]

Very nice & very helpful!!

[@RPJ696]

My handyman/ Contractor put my new vinyl plank flooring in my 2 bedrooms I took the old baseboard off for him so he could run the floor right to the drywall but when he went to put my new baseboards on there are gaps between the baseboard and the floors it looks horrible I don't want corner round I think it makes it look dated and also he left gaps at the top of the baseboards and the gaps your showing on this video around the door ways I need help don't know where to start to fix these problems any suggestions would be greatly appreciated this simple renovation on these 2 bedrooms have become a nightmare

[@davido3258]

The Amazon link to the pry bar is in error (same link as utility knife). Thanks for the video.

[@GodFirst607]

Thank you, it did the job. Not perfectly, like in the video. But good enough.

[@theresaroth3954]

Looks so much better

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you 🙏🏽!

[@vanessadegree1577]

Very cool missing flooring hack.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you Vanessa!

[@todjohnson8253]

Interesting how that casing moved- usually when using laminate flooring, the casings and trim are solidly in place with multiple layers of paint....

[@shannonbailey7580]

Looks new.

[@shannonbailey7580]

Looks new.

[@juancastanon8176]

Multi tool cut the wood make space underneath for plank to go straight threw underneath

[@theresaroth3954]

Great fix!!!

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you 🙏🏽😊!

[@Musicology1975]

You need distance for expandsion of floor and we cover the gaps with wooden . strips

[@Z-Ack]

I just use caulk.. unless the space is too big.. otherwise that stuff takes up way too much time for something thats relatively unnoticed.. what does get me is damn near every time i get done with a floor some dum dum comes along with something heavy and sharp and puts a big dooky stain right in the middle of the area.. then i gotta sit there and pry and all to replace that tile.. everytime seems like..

[@gaz.v1434]

'k in the uk we leave a 10mm cap around all lam flooring for expansion reasons

[@garyburrows3965]

2mm will suffice. We don't live in the tropics! and the warm air generated from central heating rises away from any flooring.

[@RichardWard-sx6ge]

I just cut it right the 1st time . They sell tape measures pretty much everywhere.

[@Hashim-G]

That part

[@projectsgalore]

You know, some people don't always get it cut just right, so this could be a solution. 😊

[@stateniland]

just had 1/2 Cortech installed.. a 1/4" gap is necessary for expansion.. why not use 1/4 round that's NOT nailed to floor but to wall.

[@nwelsen]

If it's an actual door jam, shoe or quarter round will mess with the door

[@Mac12Life]

Hey great video what exactly name the color & brand?

[@DavidSmith-jb6wg]

Brilliant idea thanks

[@bahjeff]

Thanks i will try this out.

[@bindig1]

Nice repair

[@michaeld.3779]

I just redo the bad cut when I notice I blew it when initially fitting the plank. Just cut a new plank.

[@lizjoyw]

How can I tell what kind of floor is in my rental? I don’t know how to tell if it’s laminate or maybe LVP or how to tell if it’s sealed

[@bellagirlgirl8827]

very helpful!

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you 🙏🏽!

[@chiefrockone]

If your cutting wood, cut it at night. It’s harder to cut morning wood.

[@chiefrockone]

@@annesmith6582too much to explain. Probably best if you g👀gle it.

[@sharonk6953]

As a customer I would not be satisfied. That looks like a hack job !!!

[@FixThisHouse]

It’s really hard to find a solution for this especially if it’s a continuous floor with no transition. I’m curious what would you have done differently on this situation?

[@sharonk6953]

@@FixThisHouse As an installer, I would have noticed this when laying that piece, and cut another to fit property

[@Alexander_l322]

@@sharonk6953 you mean ‘as a stoner’ lol

[@sheen9957]

@@FixThisHouse as a installer I use a Oscillating saw, place a piece of the floor against the door jam, cut it out using the Oscillating saw for the proper height, then slide the new floor under the door jam for a clean professional look for all the door jams

[@adcockarts5936]

My hero

[@FixThisHouse]

Much love! Thank you 🙏🏽! 😊

[@shhaiwatoumcibian]

Thank you for sharing

[@coolhluke8089]

I would cut and install transition strip

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you for sharing your advice 🙏🏽😊

[@makebuildandfix346]

Future DIY laminate flooring adult tantrum prevention video

[@dominickdenava7371]

Lot better 👍🏼

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you 🙏🏽!

[@bobbyalvarado5418]

Pull the whole board out and do it again, under the casings like it should.

[@Billy_Bull_Sheeter]

The easiest way to do it is knock the whole wall down. Do the laminate, and then build the wall back up. And add new door frame ON TOP of the laminate.

[@chrisdemarco1628]

Just add some quarter-round molding or something

[@markkleckner3060]

Liked, God Bless!

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you 🙏🏽!

[@bezimienny9015]

It looks good thanks i going to do same..:)

[@1Down5UpOfficial]

Take 4 or 5 peices out, use and oscillator put them back 🤷‍♂️💀

[@246trixie]

I would have put filler in under the door then use the laminate on the visible part (dont bring the filler right to the edge

[@paulvieira513]

Nice.

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you! 🙏🏽😊

[@daymonlindsey8150]

Ummm,.......Calking folks, it's made in every shade possible now days.....This method is completely pointless you get the same exact result with caulking and a fraction of the time and aggravation. The only time to use a method like this is if you really messed up and have a gap the size of your thumb, at which point .....cut a new piece. That being said, you minimize a LOT of this by doing the job right the first time.

[@jeffpaxton9172]

You can even mix lighter and darker shades of caulk together to get your color just right. Keracolor caulk is best because it comes in alot of different shades.

[@DirtbagVet]

I only clicked on this video because I did this but I just caulked it. Saw your comment and laughed. No need to watch any more

[@barkingshark6413]

Caulk and paint make you what you ain’t. I had a guy install baseboards and undercut the boards 3/8” too short… he squirted the caulk in the gap and it looked ghetto. I removed the caulk and applied wood filler and then took small dowels wrapped with 220 grit sandpaper to match the profile of the 4” baseboards. Yes, it took a lot longer this way but it now looks perfect even when looking at it from a foot away. Sneak up on the cuts, then you’ll never need to use caulk to fill in gaps.

[@daymonlindsey8150]

@@barkingshark6413 3/8 of an inch.......did you pay this guy.

[@mgmarrow]

This method is the ONLY way to exactly match the floor color/pattern. CAULKING the gap would be too obvious (even with matching up with 2-3 colors) and look like a lazy dumb fool did the job. This video brilliantly illustrates the proper method for correcting jobs in which lazy people who use caulk leave for us to contend with.

[@kenny7762]

You need to turn board upside down and cut the door frame, architraves door stops and fix it

[@khmerohio]

Thanks

[@ralphmoore9422]

Why not cut the base of the door jamb?

[@maxab7e63s5]

I'm redoing my floors as we speak and man I'm so anal when I see those little gaps because of a bad cut, I'll sacrifice the entire plank and start all over again. I know contractors that will leave those gaps and move on. This is one project that I'm doing myself. If I make a mistake its my mistake, but you will not see any gaps in my door jams.

[@brucemalakwa]

Don't be so fussy just fill it with caulking and paint it the same colour as the plank.

[@J3MOdh3NOWX3S]

Cut the jams. Slide the flooring underneath.

[@awomanwonderful]

I’m a woman I just had some flooring done.. and the details are important the small details and they’re a couple of things that my flooring guy did that I wouldn’t have done and I’m not over the moon the flooring is beautiful and it cost me $4000 that’s not the price of having it installed that was just for the floor and the underlayment..so I noticed a spot at the back door where he kind of messed it up.. I guess he didn’t think I would notice. I haven’t left him any reviews yet and I can’t. I’m having a hard time struggling with leaving him in a review because his quarter round and some of his finishing touches are a little sloppy.,so when you say caulk do you mean put the missing pieces in and then caulk them in or just caulk the area? it’s really minor but I noticed it so I need help please somebody tell me what do you mean when you say caulk..caulk the pieces and caulk it in or just caulk the area without putting in these vinyl pieces?

[@lydiacarter1965]

It's a lot easier to just add 1/4 round or caulking the color of flooring

[@FixThisHouse]

Thank you for the input! In some cases these will work 👍🏽😊

[@Ben83597]

It seems like you got the grain in the wrong direction on the second piece.

[@Johnwickpifpaf]

Or just use caulking with matching color

[@enensis]

Aren't you meant to leave a floor gap for expansion

[@3rdGenFireChicken]

It shouldn’t sit lower if it’s the same type of plank that makes nonswnse

[@notNaB2024]

Omg just use caulk in the same color and be done.

[@holylabs]

Why not just use the multi tool and cut the bottom to slid the floor right under then seal with caulk. The one shown on the video seems extremely ridiculous. Could get this done in 2 mins with that tool. Cost 15 bucks.

[@janepatton8100]

With click in laminate, you can't always slide the laminate since you have to install it at an angle, then set it down into the groove. But you can't do that unless you cut around the door jamming... thus this video. If you've never experienced this, then you probably wouldn't understand the dilemma.

[@sayyedzuber7689]

WOW

[@FixThisHouse]

Thanks! 👍🏽😊

[@JimYeats]

More caulk. The answer is always more caulk.

[@FixThisHouse]

😅

[@acecard7009]

Why not quadrant

[@dklima5468]

Why wouldn't you just replace the board?

[@combsd3283]

Better idea - call the floor installer who did the crap job and tell them they will get paid when the job is done properly.

[@jane1385]

Can’t really do that when it’s a house you just bought! This was done by previous owners

[@craigbarnett9489]

Filling in the expansion gaps. Just caulk it ffs

[@scottieshawn4814]

Should of cut your jambs as part of the prep for the install. Kindergarten level mistake.

[@navnavo1414]

Beading?

[@V-CarChannel]

under cut doorways and you would not have that happen, also that will cause problems later on

[@jungbechtospk40]

In my first work I always used Woodglut plans.

[@AncientAliens5]

White Alex molding lol

[@FixThisHouse]

what's that? please explain.

[@3rdGenFireChicken]

Every repair you do seems to be the same color plank. Make ya wonder

[@chadmichaelmobile4743]

You would have been better off using a gray caulk

[@Nebx1989]

Damn I feel like you shouldn't have to fix that. Time would be better spent tracking down the person who cut and installed that and getting revenge.