What gap and cupping repair means in Des Moines
Every hardwood floor in this state opens up in January and closes in July. Thin even gaps across a whole floor, appearing and disappearing on a schedule, are the floor working correctly.
What is not normal is a gap that stays open all year, a gap much wider in one place than another, or cupping where the edges of every board sit above the middle. Those point at a moisture source under the floor.
- How it is done
- moisture readings across the room and at the perimeter, compared against the subfloor
- What goes on the floor
- no product fixes this. It is a diagnosis first
- Ready to use
- seasonal movement resolves itself; a fault needs the source fixed first
- Typical cost
- $250 – $700 to dry and re-flatten one room
- Service life
- depends entirely on what is causing it
How gap and cupping repair is done
Cupping is diagnosed with a meter, taking readings from the top of the board, the underside where accessible, and the subfloor. A higher reading below than above is the whole diagnosis and it means the moisture is coming from underneath.
The fix is the source: a sealed crawlspace vapour barrier, a dehumidifier in the basement, a gutter that discharges next to the foundation. Then the floor is left alone for a season to see how much of it comes back.
Filling is the last resort and only for gaps that are open year round. Filler forced into a winter gap is squeezed out or splits a board edge when the boards expand in summer.
What gap and cupping repair costs in Des Moines, IA
Diagnosis is charged as a visit with readings and a written recommendation. Whether it becomes a repair, a sand, or nothing at all depends on what the meter says.
Where gap and cupping repair goes wrong in Iowa
The most expensive mistake here is sanding a cupped floor flat while it is still wet. It looks perfect the day the crew leaves. As it dries the boards shrink and the floor ends up dished in the centre of every single board, and that cannot be fixed twice.
Where we do gap and cupping repair
We cover Des Moines, the western suburbs, the Ankeny corridor and the older neighbourhoods inside the city, including and 18 more areas.
Questions we get asked about gap and cupping repair
Should I fill the gaps in my old floor?
Only if they stay open in summer. Winter gaps close on their own and filler will not survive them.
Why is my floor cupped?
Almost always more moisture below the boards than above. Crawlspace, basement humidity or a leak.
Can a cupped floor be sanded flat?
Not until it has dried and stopped moving. Sanding it wet produces a permanently dished floor.
Get a free estimate
Tell us what you need. We answer the same day, the free estimate is on site, and nobody chases you afterwards.
Get a price for your gap and cupping repair
Call and we will come out, measure, and leave you a written quote. There is no charge for the visit and no obligation afterwards.