How can I repair my flooring without resorting to a complete renovation?
Asked by Gwenn Elderman 
5 months ago
Last Updated: June 18, 2024
Do you have any ideas on how I can repair this flooring without having to completely tear it up?
I’m facing a similar issue. Someone who knows about fixing things recommended using caulk in a matching color, but I’m not sure about it 🤷♀️
If it were me, I’d go with this option and opt for GRK screws
Lifting it up and sticking it back in place
If you have access from below (such as a basement), you can bring it down using a screw through a bracing board, making sure not to penetrate the surface.
It seems like there wasn’t a sufficient expansion gap, causing the floor to buckle as it expands. There are various tips and tricks, as mentioned. However, you won’t find a long-term solution until you address the root cause (which involves lifting up the floor). Judging from these photos, you’re likely to continue experiencing problems with the floor due to improper installation.
Carpet
This is a poor installation and won’t last long as a floor. You’ll need to either tear it up and start over correctly, or accept that it will keep failing. Sorry, but that’s the consequence of a bad installation.
The joints are not staggered. It seems like a shoddy DIY job or a careless professional. I recommend lifting it up and redoing it properly.
The person who installed this did not space the joints far enough apart. Sorry about that, good luck!
The person responsible for that should definitely take it apart and redo it. That level of incompetence is unacceptable. Especially with resources like YouTube available, there is no excuse for such mistakes.
It seems like there was a shortage of boards, so they resorted to using butt joints. If you can get underneath it, place a weight on the board and tighten it by screwing upwards. Another option is to drill from below, apply some glue, and then screw it in. If there’s no access from below, consider using screws without heads to secure the edge. Alternatively, fill drilled holes with glue, apply weight, and then use stained dowels to fill the holes.