If you have hardwood floors, chances are you've noticed a few gaps here and there. While it may be tempting to try to fill them in yourself, it's important to understand that gaps are actually a normal and necessary part of having hardwood floors. In this blog post, we'll take a look at why gaps form in hardwood floors and what you can do to prevent them from becoming a problem.
Why Do Gaps Form in Hardwood Floors?
Gaps form in hardwood floors for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is due to changes in temperature and humidity. As the seasons change, so does the moisture content in the air. This can cause the boards in your hardwood floor to expand or contract, which leads to gaps.
Another common reason for gaps is because the house settles over time. This is especially true for older homes. As the house settles, the foundation shifts and causes the floors to become uneven. This can also lead to gaps forming between the boards.
What Can You Do to Prevent Gaps?
There are a few things you can do to prevent gaps from forming in your hardwood floors. The first is to maintain consistent humidity levels inside your home. This can be done by using a humidifier during the winter months when the air is dryer. You should also avoid drastic changes in temperature, such as opening up the windows on a hot summer day or turning on the heat full blast after being gone for an extended period of time. These sudden changes can cause the boards in your floor to expand or contract too quickly, which leads to gaps.
Another thing you can do to prevent gaps is to have your hardwood floors refinished every 3-5 years. This will seal off the pores of the wood, which prevents moisture from getting inside and causing the boards to expand or contract.
While it may be tempting to try to fill in gaps yourself, it's important to understand that they're actually a normal and necessary part of having hardwood floors. Gaps form due to changes in temperature and humidity levels, as well as because houses settle over time. To prevent gaps from forming, you should maintain consistent humidity levels inside your home and have your hardwood floors refinished every 3-5 years.