There will always be some separation between the boards on a hardwood floor. Wood flooring shrinks during the winter months when the home is heated and the air is dry because it loses moisture. Small cracks start to appear between the boards when this happens. This is perfectly normal and completely fine.

Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Aro... Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Around

How do I keep my hardwood floors from separating?

Use a humidifier in the winter months to keep your home’s relative humidity stable and prevent large gaps in your wood floors. Dehumidifiers and exhaust fans can help keep your home dry during the summer. Wood filler can be used to fill small gaps that are less than 332 inches wide.

What would cause wood floors to separate?

If the flooring hasn’t been properly acclimated prior to installation or an insufficient expansion gap has been left around the room, wood floor boards can separate and develop gaps aside from moisture and temperature fluctuations.

What are acceptable gaps in hardwood floors?

As long as the gap is less than 5/8 of an inch, it is perfectly fine to have a hardwood floor that is 2-1/4 inches wide and 5 inches wide, both of which use the same wood species.

How do you fix a separated floor?

It’s possible to patch small holes with caulk putty, wood filler, or long strands of string. These will fill in the gaps in the floor and keep out the cold air. If done correctly, these fillers will restore your floor to its original smooth finish.