HELP! my flooring install has big gaps!

4 years ago

Hi all, I posted a short while ago about my flooring install. I'm installing maple and from day 1 the floor boards have gaps running length wise...lots of them. I get some gaps are normal but these are pretty big. The installers stopped after day one and let the wood dry out more as they noticed some gaps. It's been a week and they have t been able.to.finish because the boards aren't all dry enough. My problem is the floor has so many big gaps. Your eye just goes to them. I've had several people ask me what's wrong with them and tell me it's incorrect. I wanted to get more thoughts though. I know some spacing is normal as it's wood but shouldn't it be tight to begin? Here are some pics. My concern is with how many and how noticeable they are...and that it's not even cold or dry yet and the cracks will only get larger as the humidity leaves the boards. Would love all opinions! Thanks!

Featured Answer

PRO

G & S Floor Service

4 years ago

Take a moisture test. Your floor planks needs to be within 2% of your subfloor reading. If, the floor installation started out tight and gaps are appearing now. Additional time is needed to acclimate to equillibrium. If, gaps have been present since day 1. It can be either the set up is no good, mill work or the installer at fault.

When was your heating system up and running: how long before , during or after acclimating period?

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Comments (7)

PRO
Andrea
Original Author
4 years ago
Well acclimation is a sore point. I asked if the boards should be in the house for a bit and they put them in on the pallets, stacked, and turned the heat on maybe 1-2 days before. Then they delayed saying they were still too high moisture as well as the subflooring. Now they said they're testing every board before it's put down. As for the timing of the gaps, some have been there since installation day and some got worse after install. Keep in mind they started installing a week ago and I stopped them Tuesday so this is all being done over a 6 day period. It hasn't been sitting long and % of the gaps were present upon the first moment they installed it. I've been asking about them since day one expressing my concern and actually called the contractor over the first day to show him the gaps
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PRO
Andrea
Original Author
4 years ago
I will also say the pictures don't look as bad as in person. The gaps are very visible in person.
PRO
Andrea
Original Author
4 years ago
Trying to bump this... We have had 3 people come by and ask "what's wrong with your flooring" now. Hoping to get some advice on how to handle it as the installer/contractor both are saying it's a great install and will be fine once it's sanded and the saw dust fills the gaps, etc. It's not even winter yet, these puppies are going to shrink even more then!
millworkman
4 years ago
Bring in and pay for your own inspection by NWFA inspector is your best bet at this point. But if they are saying this is a great install it is pretty revealing about their skill set.
Timothy Winzell
4 years ago
It appears that you have unfinished Maple flooring. Part of the floor finishing process involves filling the cracks. None of the people wondering about your floor could possibly be floor people or they would know this.

Based on you picture with the tape measure the gaps are less than 1/16". Generally a filled crack up to 1/8" wide is allowed in a finished wood floor. Your gaps look normal to me.
User
4 years ago
Looks like low quality materials with crappy milling to me.