| Author |
Message |
    
Jay060
Citizen
Username: Jay060
Post Number: 11
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 1:54 pm: |     |
My home is 35 years old and there are some big gaps in between the planks of the wood floors. At best there is no space and at worse, the gap is up to 1/8". Also, I know the gaps are worse in the winter. The floors were probably not installed properly, but is there anything I can do to fill the gaps or do I just have to live with it? |
Flik Chik
Citizen
Username: Flikchik
Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 2:03 pm: | |
I saw in one episode of This Old House the GC - Tommy Silva put ropes between the boards and depending on the size of the gap the ropes had a different width. Looked okay....
May be you can give this a try? |
Projects Dude
Citizen
Username: Quakes
Post Number: 19
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 2:45 pm: | |
I've noticed that on my floors as well although my house is relatively new. I believe it is generally weather/cold related but the gaps do bother me.
Also, maybe it's pychological, but I somehow get the feeling my floors above the basemet are not quite completely flat/level. My wife doesn't notice it though.
Is this normal for wood frame houses? I've only lived in apartments previously and have no clue.
Thanks in advance! |
bobk
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 4996
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 2:56 pm: | |
Wood is a natural product and swells and contracts with humidity. The humidity is lower in the winter so it isn't uncommon to see some gaps and hear a squeak or two. The more often the floor has been sanded and thus the thinner the wood, the more the condition is noticeable.
Most houses settle to one degree or another and support beams and floor joists sag over time. Slight variations in floor height aren't unusual. |
Michael K. Mc Kell
Citizen
Username: Greenerose
Post Number: 226
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 3:50 pm: | |
A good trick is to get some wood of the same spieces and cut it till you get a good saw dustpile.
Take tite bond wood glue and mix with the dust till like a mortar paste. Apply and sand.
Works well.
Michael K. Mc Kell
|
Richard O'Connor
Citizen
Username: Roconn
Post Number: 219
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 10:35 am: | |
I second Michael's suggestion ... only depending on how your floor is finished, rather than mixing the sawdust with glue ... I've mixed it into the finish ... Polyeurathane, etc ...
Had some good results ... but there seems like always more to do.
Richard (ROC)
--Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.--
--AIM: ROConn |
Kibbegirl
Citizen
Username: Kibbegirl
Post Number: 25
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 19, 2004 - 4:00 pm: | |
This happened to our pratically new (2 yrs) wood kitchen floor. I watched as they laid the planks and all looked well until...now we have these gaps that drive us nuts! Keeping the floor clean has become a chore because debris fall b'twn the gaps. I've decided to vacuum, not sweep the floor instead. Best thing? Everyone comments on how beautiful the floor is! |
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