We have just purchased a 12 year old home on the Gulf Islands in British Columbia. Some of the floors are tongue and groove pine which appear to have been put in when the wood was still green. We are in the dry season (August) and there are spaces between some of the boards. Can some some kind of filler be used to solve this problem that won’t cause a worse problem when the weather becomes wet?
Many thanks for any suggestions.
Replies
How wide are the boards? How wide are the cracks?
I wouldn't do anything to it until you've seen how it behaves through a full year.
Thanks for your reply. The boards are 6", the cracks vary from nil to 3/8". I think you're right about waiting. I've also read previous postings about the problem and will consider those suggestions.cheers
Elva, actually, now is when the wood is probably at its widest. It's in the winter it shrinks from dry heated air.
Thanks for the message.Welcome to the west coast. We're wet in the winter, dry in summer.cheers
I wouldn't put anything in those cracks right now. If they expand later in the year, you may just squeeze it out.
Thanks for your message.Since posting my query I've checked previous postings re the problem.
I will monitor the floor for a year.cheers
When butcher block end-grain flooring is installed, the gaps are filled with a sawdust-glue mxture. I hear the purpose is to fill the gaps and allow for seasonal changes in the wood, which is prone to significant dimensional changes due to it being all end-grain. Wonder if it would work for you?