How to Fix Gapping Vinyl Plank Flooring: Causes and Fixes
To fix gapping vinyl plank flooring, close the gaps with a floor gap fixer or a rubber-soled tapping tool, working each separated plank back toward its neighbor until the joint locks. If gaps return, the cause is usually temperature swings, a missing expansion gap, or heavy furniture pinning the floor, and that cause needs fixing as well. Peeling or lifting edges on glue-down and GripStrip planks are repaired by cleaning and re-adhering the joint.
Tools and materials
- Floor gap fixer, a rubber-faced tool that grips the plank surface
- Rubber mallet
- Painter’s tape and a utility knife
- Pry bar and putty knife for removing trim
- Vinyl seam adhesive or pressure-sensitive flooring adhesive
- A 100 lb floor roller or a hand J-roller
- Thermometer and hygrometer for checking room conditions
Common causes of gaps and peeling
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Short-end gaps that open in winter | Temperature change, shrinking planks | Close gaps, keep room temperature steady |
| Gaps near heavy furniture or islands | Floor pinned in one area | Free the floor, trim around fixed objects |
| Gaps plus buckling near walls | No expansion gap at the perimeter | Remove trim and cut back planks |
| Joints that will not stay locked | Broken locking lip or uneven subfloor | Replace plank, level the subfloor |
| Lifting edges on adhesive planks | Dust, moisture or failed adhesive | Clean and re-adhere the edge |
Step 1: Find the cause before closing gaps
Check whether the gaps run in one line, cluster in a sunny area, or start near a heavy object. Look at the perimeter: floating vinyl plank needs an expansion gap at the walls, commonly about 1/4 inch, hidden under the baseboard or quarter-round. If the trim is nailed down into the floor, or the floor runs tight under door casings, the planks cannot move and will separate elsewhere.
Step 2: Close the gaps with a gap fixer
Work from the nearest tight joint
Place the gap fixer on the plank next to the gap, on the side away from the opening. Tap the tool with the mallet toward the gap. The plank slides and the joint closes. Move to the next plank in the row and repeat until all the slack is taken up at the wall.
Close long-side gaps
Long-side gaps are less common and often mean the joint is not fully engaged. Lift the plank row slightly, push it into the neighbor and lower it flat. If the joint does not catch, the locking lip may be damaged.
Step 3: Free a pinned floor
Remove trim that has been nailed through the flooring and reattach it to the wall only. Cut back planks that touch cabinets, pipes or door jambs to restore the expansion gap. Kitchen islands should sit on the subfloor, not on a floating floor.
Step 4: Re-adhere peeling edges
For glue-down planks and older GripStrip planks, such as early TrafficMaster Allure, lift the loose edge and vacuum the joint. Clean old residue with the product the adhesive maker recommends, apply new seam or flooring adhesive, then press the edge down and roll it. Weight it overnight. More detail on the Allure line is in what replaced TrafficMaster Allure.
Step 5: Stabilize room conditions
Keep indoor temperature within the range on the product’s installation guide, usually a steady household temperature year-round. Use blinds or UV-filtering film on large south-facing windows, since direct sun can heat planks enough to move them.
Common mistakes
- Filling gaps with caulk or wood filler, which cracks when the floor moves.
- Hitting the plank edge directly with a hammer and crushing the locking profile.
- Closing gaps without fixing a pinned floor, so they return within weeks.
- Gluing a floating click floor to the subfloor to stop movement.
If a plank has a broken joint, follow the steps on how to replace a damaged vinyl plank.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my vinyl plank floor separate in winter?
Vinyl contracts as it cools. A floor installed in warm weather, or near cold exterior doors, can open small gaps when the temperature drops. Steady heating reduces the movement.
Can I use glue to stop click vinyl planks from separating?
Gluing the joints of a whole floor is not recommended, because the floor needs to move as a unit. A small amount of seam adhesive is acceptable when a single replacement plank is glued in.
Is gapping covered by the warranty?
Most warranties exclude gaps caused by installation errors or room conditions. Check the installation instructions and warranty for the specific product.
Photo: Image Catalog, CC0 (CC0 1.0 license), via Openverse.
More how-to guides: See all of our discontinued flooring how-to guides.
