Gaps in Laminate Flooring: How to Close Them (and Fix Lifting Boards)
Quick answer: Gaps in laminate flooring usually appear because the planks have crept apart as the floor moves with changes in temperature and humidity. If the planks can still move, you can close the gaps without lifting the floor. Laminate that is lifting or peaking is usually a different problem: the floor has nowhere to expand, and that cause needs fixing first.
By Paul Lanzarotti, Floor Fix Pro. Last updated: November 2026.
Why do gaps appear in laminate flooring?
- Seasonal movement: a floating floor expands and shrinks with the seasons, and over time planks can creep apart.
- Foot traffic: regular traffic in hallways and doorways can push planks along the row.
- Worn or damaged joints: if the locking profile is worn, the joint may not hold the planks together.
- An uneven subfloor: boards that flex over a dip can work their joints loose.
How to close gaps in laminate flooring
- Clean the planks either side of the gap so the suction pad can grip.
- Press Plank Grabber onto the plank you want to move.
- Tap the strike point with a rubber mallet to slide the plank towards the gap.
- Work along the row, plank by plank, until the gap is closed. You may need to move the gap towards the edge of the room, where it is hidden by the skirting.
Plank Grabber grips clean, sealed surfaces, including textured laminate and LVT. It won't close gaps in boards that are glued or nailed down, and raw or unsealed wood isn't suitable. Need a mallet too? The Mallet Pack includes one.
How to stop the gaps coming back
Where the flooring manufacturer permits joint bonding, apply Injectafix to the joint before you close it. The Permanent Fix Pack includes Plank Grabber and Injectafix together. Keep the expansion gap around the edge of the room open, and never bond a floating floor to its subfloor. If the joints are tight and won't slide, Click Lube can help suitable grooved joints move.
Why is my laminate floor lifting?
Laminate that lifts, peaks or buckles at the joints is usually being squeezed because it has nowhere to expand. Common causes are:
- The expansion gap at the edge of the room is too small or has been blocked by skirting, beading, door frames or kitchen units.
- Something heavy is pinning the floor down, so it can't move freely.
- Moisture has got into the boards, which makes them swell.
How to fix a lifting laminate floor
- Find where the floor is pinned. Check every edge, doorway and fixed unit for a missing expansion gap.
- Free the floor by trimming the planks back to restore the expansion gap the flooring manufacturer specifies.
- Give the floor time to settle back down.
- If any boards have swollen from water, they need replacing. Fix the source of the moisture first.
If a board is hollow or bouncy rather than peaked, there is probably a void beneath it. See our laminate floor repair guide for how to support it with Injectafix.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fix gaps in laminate flooring without taking it up?
Yes, if the planks can still move. Plank Grabber slides them back together from above.
Should I fill gaps in laminate with filler or sealant?
Closing the gap is the better fix. Filler can crack as the floor keeps moving, and it leaves the joint open to dirt and water.
Does this work on herringbone floors?
See how to fix gaps in herringbone floors.
Not sure which fix you need? See the Plank Grabber range or find the right floor repair.