this post was submitted on 15 Oct 2023
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I DIY’ed the floor in my bedroom but I’ve got gaps like the one pictured in a few spots. What’s the best way to close these up?

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I have used this method for wood plank flooring.

Have someone stand on the gap of the two boards (they should be ensuring the two boards are level with each other.)

Take a pry-bar (crowbar) and push the flooring from the edge (may have to remove quarter-round that is covering it).

Basically you are pushing the entire floor to get the boards to snap together. The person standing on the gap helps to ensure the boards are level with each other and prevents the other side of the flooring from moving. It can take some trial and error to figure out. You want enough weight on the opposite side so that the planks will snap together.

I haven't worked with vinyl planks so not too familiar with them. With the wood ones you had to be careful not to break the tongue sections.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Yeah I see what you are driving at. This sounds like the first approach I’ll take before redoing the whole room

[–] [email protected] 0 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Did you install immediately as you took it from the shop/garage/storage/etc or did you leave it overnight to reach room temperature?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

No I installed it right from the store, but I checked the instructions and it said that was ok.

Edit: this is the product I used Lanier Hickory 12-mil x 5-in W x 48-in L Waterproof Interlocking Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring (18.35-sq ft/ Carton) https://www.lowes.com/pd/SMARTCORE-11-Piece-5-in-x-48-03-in-Lanier-Hickory-Luxury-Vinyl-Plank-Flooring/1000844538

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

It's not wood but vinyl.

Wood flooring needs to acclimatize to the environment for a few days before being installed (shrinks/swells with the moisture in the air).

Vinyl flooring are designed to latch together. Every board has to be completely seated and latched together. The only way to fix it now is to pick it all up and try again.