The expansion gap in laminate flooring is critical to its stability and longevity.
If this gap is too big or too small, it will create an unstable flooring setup that will begin to break over time. This is why you have to stay proactive and make sure changes are made to the laminate flooring as soon as possible.
This starts by understanding why the laminate flooring expansion gap is too small and how to fix it.
If the laminate flooring expansion gap is too small start by removing the tongue from the planks one by one. Now, fill those gaps with robust spacers to help create an adequate expansion gap. Measure everything and ensure the gap is even.
This is critical if you want to ensure things are done the right way. You don’t want the expansion gap to be too small for your laminate flooring.
The appropriate approach will go a long way in preserving the laminate floor over the long haul.
This article will take a look at what to do if the laminate flooring expansion gap is too small.
Table of Contents
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How To Fix Small Laminate Expansion Gap
1. Measure The Existing Gap
If you feel the laminate floor expansion gap is uneven, it’s important to start by measuring the existing gap.
Sometimes, you are not going to have a gap, which will mean it’s pressed right against the wall without any space for expansion.
This is dangerous.
The reason it’s dangerous is due to the natural expansion of wood as the humidity and/or temperature change. You have to account for this as laminate flooring will change as the conditions do.
It’s not going to be dramatic, but you have to account for this beforehand.
Your goal is to ensure the gap is measured and you are aware of how much it needs to expand.
For the most part, you should have a gap of at least 12 to 15 millimeters.
2. Cut Tongue From The Planks Near Walls
You will want to begin by going to the wall.
If boards are running along the walls, you will have to remove them to get to the edge of the laminate flooring.
The reason for doing this is to ensure the gap is created on the ends of the planks. This is where the expansion is going to matter.
You will want to start by cutting the tongue of the planks one by one.
This will ensure when the plank expands, it does not break or crack. This is critical when you are going through this step and it should be a clean cut.
3. Add Spacers In The Newly Created Gaps
Now, you are going to have gaps at the ends of the planks.
This is good.
You will now want to start by adding spacers to the gaps. This is how you are going to make sure when the laminate flooring expands, it does not crack or start to break apart one by one.
Be patient with the spacers and make sure they are in the right spot. You will want to ensure the laminate flooring is set up to succeed and age gracefully.
If you don’t add the spacers, the laminate flooring isn’t going to settle appropriately.
4. Measure For Balance
You are now going to start measuring the gap again.
The goal here is to make sure it is within the 12 to 15 millimeter range as stated before. If you go past this range, you are also going to have a situation where the laminate flooring becomes unstable as it slides around.
You have to stay within the listed range because that is what is tested for consistent stability.
Don’t go under or over that range.
Keep this in mind as you begin to measure the gap between the plank and the wall.
Final Thoughts
Is the laminate flooring expansion gap too small?
If the laminate flooring expansion gap is too small, start by cutting the tongue off the planks near the base of the wall. Now, add spacers to each plank and re-measure the gap to ensure it’s between 12-15 millimeters.
This is the range you have to stay within to ensure the laminate flooring ages the way you want it to and doesn’t break.
A lot of property owners are not careful about this and that is what causes laminate flooring to expand rapidly and not have enough leeway to move around. You need to make sure it’s stable and won’t break.
By adding the spacers, you will ensure that is the case and it works out the way you want it to.
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