How to Fix a Gap Between Underlayment & Wood Flooring

If you prepared your subfloor properly, any gap between your underlayment and your flooring will be down to the way you laid it. Laying the edges of pieces of underlayment on top of one another can create gaps, as can bunching sections of underlayment up under your floor during the laying process if the product you’re using is made of foam. Any gap between your underlayment and floor will weaken your boards and is likely to make an irritating noise.

Claw hammer
Bubble level
Spare underlay
Box cutter
Self-leveling compound

Instructions

- 1
  Identify precisely where the gap between your underlayment and flooring is.
- 2
  Remove any molding or skirting board from the walls nearest to the affected area. Use a claw hammer if they're nailed into place.
- 3
  Take the cork strips out of the expansion gaps between your flooring and your wall.
- 4
  Pull your flooring apart starting in the corner nearest to the area affected. Take your boards up and position them against a wall in order to help you when you come to relay them.
- 5
  Inspect the underlay where you identified the gap. Use a bubble level to help you find the cause of the problem. If you have laid one piece of underlay on top of another, move your pieces so they lay flat. If you've bunched up a section of underlay, you'll need to flatten it out or replace it with a new piece. Use a box cutter to cut a new piece to shape. If there's a dip in your subfloor you failed to notice, fill it with a self-leveling compound. Use a bubble level to check your underlay before replacing your boards.
- 6
  Replace your boards, the cork expansion strips, and your molding or skirting.

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Floor Repairs