Gap In Floorboard

[NISAR1]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me if floorboards come in only one size width? The reason is in my bathroom there is one floorboard which has a gap and I can see the ceiling downstairs. If I move the floorboard in the middle I get 2 gaps either side because of this gap the bathroom lino is starting to tear where the gap is.

I have been told to hardboard the whole bathroom but will do this in summer if no other solution is found.

Thanks all

[Zacs-Master]

No, they come in many sizes (widths).

[The Builder]

If you have non- tongue&grooved boards, it's likely that it's an older house. The boards would have been Imperial in size. Common sizes will be 6" or 7".

A 7" will be approx 178mm. The modern metric equivalent is around 170mm wide. (After planing)

If you want to replace one, the usual thing is to buy a 200mm board, and either saw or plane it down to width. You would have to pack it off the joists, as modern ones are 22mm thick, and old boards approx 25mm.

A simple solution is to lay the old board tight to one side, with a wide gap on the other side. Assuming the gap to be around 6mm, then cut a strip of 6mm MDF, and glue that into the gap.

[NISAR1]

Thanks guys a massive help, will now look into sorting it out.

[heathfield]

I had the same problem. I tackled it in a similar way to Builder's tip, though not using MDF. First I lifted the floorboard with the tongue next to the gap and planed the tongue off. Then got a strip of wood of sizes close to those of the depth of the floorboard and width of the gap, and planed it to the correct size. I glued and nailed this strip to the planed edge of the floorboard, (using panel pins to prevent it splitting) and repositioned the lot. I had to do this in a hurry. A carpet fitter was arriving next morning!