Question: Robert, I am a Canyon Country resident. We installed a wood floor about two years ago and until recently all has been fine. Most recently there are about six planks that have some separation among them and I am unsure how to repair this. Would I caulk the area? I don’t think that would look good, nor do I think it is the proper fix, but I can’t think of what else to do. Do you have any insight on what the proper fix is? Thank you.
— Jim J.
Answer: Jim, this is actually a pretty easy fix. A few supplies are needed: a 2×4 board or something similar that you can strike on the end that is 6 inches or so long, some two-way tape, painter’s tape and a hammer or mallet.
Apply the painter’s tape to the piece of flooring that you wish to move. Apply the two-way tape to this (painter’s tape will protect flooring, the sticky two-way tape will adhere to this, for easy removal). Remove the final backing on the two-way tape and apply the wood block to the tape. You now have something to strike safely, to get the floor board to move back into position. Tape is easily removed and you can move on to each board, getting them back into the proper position. Best of luck.
Robert Lamoureux has more than 40 years of experience as a general contractor, with separate licenses in electrical and plumbing contracting. He owns IMS Construction Inc. in Valencia. His opinions are his own, not necessarily those of The Signal. Opinions expressed in this column are not meant to replace the recommendations of a qualified contractor after that contractor has made a thorough visual inspection. Email questions to Robert at [email protected].
