Why Is My Flooring Splitting?

There are two types of faults to consider here, and to diagnose the issue, we must examine where the flooring is splitting. Is it at the joins, or is it occurring on the top surface (decor)?

When your flooring starts to separate, it often gives the appearance of shrinking. This is commonly visible when your laminate flooring separates along the long side (longitudinal gapping) or when it splits on the short side or ends of the planks (lateral gapping). Joint splitting, or more precisely, joint separation, is typically caused by several factors:

• A faulty locking mechanism (floors with a click-lock system)
  All laminate flooring is manufactured with a click-lock system that securely locks once snapped together. If your laminate boards are separating, it’s possible the edges didn’t properly engage during installation. However, it’s important to note that sometimes the boards may have separated due to a faulty or broken locking system. This can occur during installation if the fitter is too rough when placing the boards together, or if the floor becomes too bouncy and snaps under pressure.
• Insufficient glue used in the joins (floated tongue and groove engineered flooring)
  Similar to the laminate’s click-lock system, if the installer does not use enough adhesive in the joins of engineered flooring, the floor’s natural expansion and contraction over time will weaken the bonds of the adhesive, leading to splitting.
• Uneven subfloor
  An uneven subfloor is often the culprit behind flooring failures, particularly separation. Before installing the flooring, the subfloor should be checked to ensure it is clean, dry, and smooth. Any unevenness in the subfloor will eventually affect the planks above. As you walk on the floor, it compresses into the underlay, and this movement can eventually cause the locking systems or adhesive bonds to break, resulting in separation.
• Over-expansion/Shrinkage
  Wood-based flooring expands and contracts in response to temperature and humidity. Over-expansion can occur if the flooring was not acclimatised to the room before installation. All flooring requires an acclimation period, so it’s best to consult the manufacturer’s guidelines before beginning installation.

All flooring is expected to move slightly, especially wood-based floating floors. However, noticeable gaps are not normal. These faults can lead to additional problems, such as lifting, bouncing, or even spongy sensations underfoot.