How to fix gaps in laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is a highly popular flooring choice: it’s low-maintenance, beautiful, and mimics the look and feel of solid wood flooring at an appealing price. If installed and cared for correctly, it can look as good as the day it was installed for decades. However, if mistakes occur during installation, or if it isn’t maintained properly, faults and problems can develop. This is how gaps in laminate flooring can appear.

In this guide, we’re going to take you through the different reasons why you might find gaps in your laminate flooring. We’ll then explore how to fix these gaps and what tools you’ll need, depending on the issue.

And if you’ve recently installed new laminate flooring, or you’re looking for tips on how to take care of it, we’ll explain how to stop laminate flooring from moving after installation, too.

In this guide:

• What can cause gaps in laminate flooring?
• How to fix gaps in laminate flooring
• How to prevent laminate flooring gaps
• How to cover laminate flooring gaps until you can fix them

What can cause gaps in laminate flooring?

When you first notice gaps in your laminate flooring, it will show up as shrinking – this is often apparent when your laminate floor is separating on the long side (longitudinal gaps), or when the laminate floor starts gapping on the short side or the ends of the planks (lateral gaps). When you begin to see these cracks and gaps appearing, it’s time to take action!

Possible causes for your laminate flooring separating include:

1. Faulty locking mechanism

Laminate is usually made with a click mechanism that locks straight once snapped together. If your laminate boards are gapping, it’s possible that the edges simply didn’t engage properly when the flooring was laid. However, it’s worth noting that sometimes your boards may have separated because the locking mechanism is faulty or broken.

This can happen either during installation if you’re too rough with the boards when placing them together, or if your floor becomes too bouncy and snaps under the pressure. But you probably won’t be able to tell if the problem is a simple, easily corrected misalignment or serious damage until either you or a professional try to put the pieces back together.  

It’s important to observe which side of the board the gaps appear on – whether the laminate floor separates on the long side (longitudinal gaps) or the short side of the planks (lateral gaps).

2. Uneven subfloor

An uneven subfloor is often the cause of most laminate flooring issues, especially laminate flooring gaps. When your laminate was installed, the subfloor should have been checked to ensure it was clean, dry, and smooth – our helpful guide explains the signs of a good subfloor. Any unevenness underneath will eventually begin to affect the planks above.

3. Over-expansion

Wood-based products shrink and expand in response to temperature and humidity. Over-expansion can happen if the laminate flooring didn’t acclimatise to the room before being installed – it should be left for 24 to 72 hours in the room where it will be placed to allow it to adapt to the ambient temperature and humidity of the room. 

How to fix gaps in laminate flooring 

All flooring is supposed to move a little bit, particularly wood-based flooring – which needs to acclimatise to the room. Noticeable gaps, however, aren’t normal. These faults can cause other problems in addition to laminate floor gaps – you may notice your laminate flooring lifting, bouncing, or even feeling spongy.

Once you’ve identified the cause, follow on to find out how to fix large gaps in laminate flooring depending on which issue you’re facing. 

How to fix a locking mechanism problem

Tools you’ll need:

• Safety gloves and goggles
• Hammer
• Chisel
• Tapping block

For laminate that has separated or moved at the short end of the plank, the process is a little easier, as you only need to reattach a smaller surface area.

1. Carefully remove the skirting board or scotia on the wall closest to the gap using a hammer and chisel.
2. If the gap is only one plank away from the wall, you may be able to simply lift the board and slot it or tap it back into place.
3. If the problem is further into the room, you will have to lift more boards to reach it. As you do so, pay attention to how the boards click together, including whether they slide into place or click in at an angle.

If your laminate has moved from the longer side (longitudinal gaps) and you want to try to fix it yourself, follow the steps below:

1. Start by removing the skirting board or scotia.
2. Carefully take up the laminate planks until you reach the gap and clean the edges with a cotton bud to remove any debris or dust.
3. See if the boards now lock together correctly.

If you discover that the boards simply won’t click together due to damage, unfortunately, they’ll have to be replaced.

How to fix an uneven subfloor problem

Tools you’ll need:

• ​Safety gloves and goggles
• Hammer
• Chisel
• Tapping block
• Spirit level or straight edge
• Smoothing compound
• Smoothing trowel or paddle

When trying to fix gaps in laminate flooring caused by an uneven subfloor, it’s important to determine the type of subfloor you’re working with, including concrete, plywood, or wood.

Keep in mind that some subfloors have a finishing layer or “screed” which looks very similar to concrete but can have different requirements. The safest option is often to have a professional do this for you, but if decide to fix your subfloor yourself, here’s how:

1. If you’re working with concrete, plywood sheet or screed subfloor, start by carefully removing the areas of the laminate floor with gaps. Take up the laminate boards, starting from the edge closest to the problem (there’s plenty of helpful information in our ‘how to remove laminate flooring’ guide) and roll back the underlay.
2. Use the spirit level or straight edge to locate the uneven areas.
3. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, mix the smoothing compound and carefully apply it in small quantities to the dips, using the paddle to smooth it out.
4. Allow it to dry completely.
5. You can now replace your boards and see if they fully align.

Laminate and underlay should not be placed straight over wooden floorboards. A layer of plywood sheeting should be laid to create a completely flat surface with no gaps, if this wasn’t done when your flooring was installed.

However, if your laminate is separating in a small, localised area, you may be able to resolve the issue by simply securing down a lifting floorboard with screws or nails. Be mindful of the thickness of the wooden floorboards and any possible pipes or wires underneath. Never secure laminate planks with screws or nails. Laminate is designed to be a “floating floor”, and this could damage the click and lock mechanism.

How to fix an over-expansion problem

Tools you’ll need:

• Safety gloves and goggles
• Hammer
• Chisel
• Tapping block
• Multi-tool with a circular blade

If over-expansion is causing laminate flooring gaps, the best way to fix the issue is to ensure that your laminate boards have enough space at the edge of the room to move freely during temperature fluxes. This is called an expansion gap, which should be between 6 to 10 mm. Expansion gaps should be at the walls, between rooms, around radiator pipes, and at door frames too.

If this is the source of your problem, the good news is that this issue can be fixed by trimming away a narrow strip of laminate at the very edges of the floor to create an expansion gap. It’s possible to do this yourself if you have the right tools:

1. Remove all skirting boards or scotia around the room.
2. Mark a line all around the room 6 to 10mm from the wall.
3. Trim along the line and remove the excess.

If you’re not sure how to remove and re-attach skirting boards properly without damaging them or your plaster, we recommend getting a professional to help do this for you.

Learn more about the benefits of fitting an expansion gap in our laminate flooring expansion gap guide.

How to prevent laminate flooring gaps

Laminate flooring gaps can be costly to replace and fixing any separating floorboards one by one can be time-consuming and tedious. We’d always rather take preventative measures than make costly repairs. Explore our suggestions for preventing gaps in laminate flooring:

1. Acclimatisation - The expansion and contraction of new planks cause gaps between them if they aren't properly acclimated. Therefore, before installing a new laminate floor, you should allow the floorboards to sit in the room for at least 2 to 3 days. The planks can then acclimatise to the new temperature and humidity levels.
2. Professional installation – In the long run, it’s often beneficial to hire professionals to install your laminate wood flooring perfectly. If your subfloor is uneven, a professional installer will level it before installing laminate planks.
3. Moisture prevention – When laminate flooring is exposed to too much moisture, it can swell or warp. Any liquid spills on your laminate floor should be wiped up right away.

How to cover laminate flooring gaps until you can fix them

Laminate flooring gaps can be unsightly and let moisture in, but sometimes gaps can be tricky to access. And if it means taking up other laminate planks, you might also have to wait to find the time to resolve it properly. If you need a quick fix to resolve the issue temporarily, here are a few speedy tips:

• Colour matched wood filler – Perhaps the gap is somewhere out of sight, like behind the sofa or in a cupboard, and you don’t mind waiting to fix it properly. Wood filler can help fill a small gap in laminate flooring planks and prevent dirt and moisture getting in until you close it. However, wood filler won’t resolve the issue at large, and may only last a couple of years until the cracks appear again.  
• Colour matched caulk – Like wood filler, caulk can temporarily fix small laminate flooring gaps, but it won’t resolve the cause. Eventually, the floor may contract, and the gap may reappear.
• Adhesive transition strips – If the laminate gap is in a doorway or walkway, you might find adhesive transition strips useful to cover the gap until you can fix it. You can find rolls of adhesive transition strips in a range of colours to match your flooring.
• Rugs and mats – Don’t forget, placing rugs and mats over laminate gaps is an easy solution that doesn’t involve DIY. Until you find the time to resolve the issue for good, consider a rug or hallway runner that complements your decor and smooths out your floors.  

We hope that you’re able to resolve any problems with gaps in your laminate flooring, but if it’s time for a new look, why not visit your local Tapi store? Our floorologists will help you find a fantastic laminate option for your home. We've lots of gorgeous laminate collections that look like real wood or stone tile designs, including Quick-Step laminate.

Explore our other helpful guides on how to resolve laminate flooring issues, including 'why is my laminate floor bubbling', and 'why does my laminate floor feel spongy', in our Ideas Hub.