"Gapping"
Gaps in wood floors are considered normal and can occur when the wood loses its moisture content. When the wood loses moisture it begins to shrink in size, causing "gaps". This typically occurs in the winter months when the weather is drier and in most cases the gaps will close up on their own in the summertime when moisture returns.
Since this is a natural process, it is important to note that seasonal "gapping" is not a warranted condition and it is the result of environmental causes.
In order to help reduce the possibility of gapping, it is recommended that homes with hardwood floors utilize a humidifier in the winter months when you are more likely to also use your homes heating system which dry air is forced into the environment. Floors with seasonal gapping typically return to normal once proper temperature and humidity levels return.
NOTE: Temperatures and humidity levels down at the floor can be significantly different from the rest of the room.
Months may pass, even years, depending on the conditions until gapping becomes evident. If you are experiencing gapping in your floors, you should consider the following
- If the gapping occurs only a few weeks after your floors were installed, this could be related to poor job site acclimation of the product and insufficient moisture testing at the time of installation. If this is the case, it is recommended that you reach out to your installer immediately.
- If the gapping occurs several months after your floors were installed, the gapping is most likely to be due to a change in your homes moisture conditions. Increasing the humidity to 35-55% should help and it is your responsibility as a homeowner to monitor this to the best of your ability.