There are many different areas of the home that really make a difference when they are finished off nicely. Some of them are areas that you may not think about, such as the area where the molding meets the floor. What can you do if there is a gap?
A small gap between the floor and molding can generally be filled with caulking. It will make a nice seal and a seamless fit from one to the other. Otherwise, you may need to consider installing some shoe molding to hide the gap altogether.
Have you ever heard the expression, ‘the devil is in the details?’ That expression generally means that the smaller details are where the problems usually lie. That is certainly the case when it comes to this small area of the home that can make a big difference with the overall look.
Caulking is an amazing item and it certainly is near the top of the list when it comes to fixing the gap between molding and floor. That being said, there are other options that may be considered, depending upon the area of the home where the gap exists and how large of a gap it is.
Can You Fix The Gap Between Molding And Floor?
One thing I will say is that if you are doing a job such as this, you really need to prepare for it properly. Even a small job that is prepared in advance will give you a better result. Don’t simply go at it haphazardly if you think that it can be done in a matter of minutes.
As an example, the caulking that would be put into place is going to be there for the long term. As we will discuss, it’s better if you tape things off before caulking and then paint the caulk after you smooth it out. Taking these extra steps will make a difference in the overall look.
At this point, we will consider some of the reasons why you should fix it in the first place and why it can occur in some homes.
Why You Should Fix The Gap Between Molding And Floor
If you have a gap between the molding and the floor, it is more than just an aesthetic problem. There are actually other issues that can exist that make it necessary to fix this small issue.
Ascetics – Although looks are not everything, that is the primary reason why you would want to fix a gap between the floor and the molding. It can make a room appear unfinished as if you didn’t take the time necessary to do a good job.
In the solutions section that we have for you below, we provide more than one option for fixing this problem. Just make sure that you do a good job and pay close attention to the details so that you are happy with the finished product.
Water – If you have a problem with water in the room, it can hide under the baseboard. This is also true if something spills and the water runs under the baseboard. Rather than being wiped up immediately, it can stay in the area and cause problems in the long term.
Pests – If there is a small gap between the baseboard and the floor, it gives an area where pests can hang out. Admittedly, there is always going to be at least a little gap in this area but a larger gap can be a larger problem.
These are just some of the reasons why you would want to fix this issue as soon as possible. For the most part, however, the simple fact that it doesn’t look good is enough to get you moving in that direction.
What Is Causing The Gap Between Molding And Floor?
You might be surprised by how many different reasons there are that a gap may appear between the molding and the floor. Some of these are rather small and trivial but others can be serious problems.
Poor Installation – One of the primary reasons why you may have a gap between the molding and the floor is that the molding was not installed properly. No floor is going to be perfectly level and sometimes, the molding is just put in place without any thought to how it is going to look.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on September 19, 2022.
If you install molding properly, you will have to scribe it to match the floor. In addition, you would want to seal off the area after it was installed so it is seamless. As a general rule, the molding doesn’t have to be straight on the bottom but it does have to be straight and level on top.
Foundation Settling – Every home is going to experience at least some settling over time. This can be a problem that also causes additional issues.
A minor gap that occurs between the molding and the floor due to foundation settling is nothing to be alarmed about. On the other hand, if the gap continues to grow, it’s a signal that something more serious is wrong.
Subflooring – If the subfloor was not constructed properly or if poor materials were used, you may experience problems such as shifting and buckling. This tends to occur quickly but it can also occur over time, resulting in a widening gap between the molding and the floor.
Water Damage – If you have any pipes leaking or if the outside soil was not draining properly, you may have a problem with flooding. It may not be noticeable in the room but it could be harming the subfloor or the walls, leading to the separation between the molding and the floor.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on September 19, 2022.
Water damage is something you should never ignore. It could lead to damage that occurs under the surface, such as with the floor joists and subfloor. It can also lead to other problems, such as mold.
Previous Flooring – There may be an issue with a gap between the molding and the floor if you are using a different type of flooring. For example, the molding may have been installed higher if the room previously had carpeting. That issue should have been avoided because the molding should be removed but sometimes, it’s easier just to install the floor so you don’t have to repaint the wall.
Uneven Flooring – Finally, if the floors aren’t even, this can also lead to a problem with a gap forming between the molding and the floor. Typically, this is an issue that only appears in certain areas. It can be overcome by scribing the molding and reinstalling it.
How To Prevent Gaps From Forming Between Molding And Floor
There is one important thing you can do to avoid having a gap between the molding and the floor. Is not necessarily a way of preventing it, it’s a way of installing the molding properly.
If the floor is uneven or otherwise if there are problems, you can scribe the molding and cut it with the saber saw. This will allow the molding to match the floor perfectly.
After you have the molding in place, you can use some caulking to fill up any small gap that may be in the area. It will look perfect, not because it is perfect but because the top is level and flat. That is what really makes the molding look good.
4 Ideas To Fix The Gap Between Molding And Floor
1. Replace the Baseboard
The easiest way to fix a gap between the molding and the floor is to replace the molding. You can either move the molding down or replace it with a wider baseboard.
One thing you will want to keep in mind is scribing the bottom of the baseboard. It is best if the bottom of the baseboard matches the floor, even if it is uneven. The real key is to have the top of the baseboard level and straight.
Using a larger piece of baseboard allows you to fix the gap without creating a gap between the baseboard and the wall color or finish.
2. Install Quarter-Round
If you want a simple way to fix the gap between the molding and the floor, install a piece of quarter-round. This board can be attached directly to the existing molding and it will span the gap that now exists.
Quarter-round is often used when you switch to a different type of floor. For example, switching from carpeting to tile will leave a gap that is easily covered with the extra piece of molding.
You can scribe the quarter-round if necessary so it hugs the floor. You can then finish it off with a small bead of caulking.
3. Use Caulking
If the gap between the molding and the floor is small enough, it can be filled with caulking. Use a small bead of caulking and then wipe it down with a wet towel so you are only filling the gap and not extending out onto the floor or the molding.
Latex molding is best used in areas of the home that do not have water problems. You can even paint the caulking to match the color of the molding. Otherwise, silicone-based caulking can be used in the shower or other wet areas of the home.
Caulking is only generally used to fill a small gap but if it is a larger gap, you can still fill it by using a caulking backer rod. That will hold the caulking place so it doesn’t shrink and crack.
4. Flexible Molding
In some areas of the home, such as the bathroom, you may need to use some flexible molding. This is a great choice because it will match the flooring and provide a better seal.
Flexible molding is only typically used in the bathroom, as it can easily bridge the gap between the tub and the finished floor. You can also get flexible molding as a quarter round, and it can be used in those areas as well.
It is possible to fix the gap between the molding and the floor by using caulking to fill the gap. If the gap is larger, you can use a piece of quarter-round to finish things off.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on September 19, 2022.