Floor Gaps

Have you noticed mysterious drafts or cold spots in your home? Or perhaps there are visible gaps between floors and walls that allow dirt and pests to sneak in. These seemingly small issues can lead to much larger problems if left unaddressed.
Floor gaps indicate that your foundation may be settling unevenly or sinking, compromising your home’s structural integrity. Thankfully, the foundation repair experts at Basement Authority of West Virginia can diagnose the underlying cause and implement solutions to resolve floor gap issues for good.
By reading this page, you’ll learn what causes gaps between floors, walls, and ceilings, how they endanger your home, and how Basement Authority of West Virginia’s comprehensive approach fixes this frustrating problem.
What Are Floor Gaps?
Floor gaps refer to open spaces between flooring materials or between floors and walls/ceilings inside a home. Gaps occur when the structures surrounding the floor sink or shift at different rates. You may notice small gaps along the edges of the floor or larger gaps dividing sections of flooring.
These gaps usually start small but expand over time as soil conditions worsen or foundational issues accelerate. Ignoring minor gaps allows air, moisture, pests, and radon gas to penetrate the interior of your home.
Floor gaps can accompany other problems, including:
Left unaddressed, expanding gaps can seriously undermine the structural stability of your floors and walls.
What Causes Floor Gaps?
A variety of soil-related factors unique to West Virginia contribute to floor gaps over time, including:

- Weak or Improperly Compacted Soil: Soil naturally compacts and settles over time, but weak spots or inadequate compaction during construction accelerates uneven settling. Floors sink quicker than walls, causing separations.
- Soil Erosion and Washout: Abundant rainfall combined with poorly draining clay soil causes erosion around foundations. This leaves foundations unsupported, leading to shifting and gaps.
- Seasonal Shrink/Swell: West Virginia’s expansive clay soil profile shrinks during drought then swells when rehydrated. This cyclic expanding and contracting pushes up on foundations unevenly, causing gaps.
- Old or Damaged Foundation: Outdated rubble foundations and aging poured concrete foundations become unstable. They settle non-uniformly, distorting floor alignments.
In addition to soil conditions, factors like leaky plumbing, poor drainage, tree roots, and seismic activity can trigger foundation movement and floor gaps.
Can Floor Gaps Be Fixed?
Yes, floor gaps can and should be repaired quickly. While gaps may seem like a cosmetic issue at first, leaving them unattended risks serious structural damage, indoor air quality issues, and steep repair costs down the road.
Attempting DIY repairs with fillers or sealants treats symptoms, not underlying causes. These products inevitably crack or fall out as foundations continue shifting.
Basement Authority of West Virginia offers long-lasting solutions. Our qualified technicians trace floor gaps back to root foundation issues. Then we implement proven repair techniques to fortify foundations. Floor gap repairs protect your home’s structural integrity.
How Basement Authority of West Virginia Repairs Floor Gaps

Our certified technicians combine diagnostic testing with decades of local experience to pinpoint why floor gaps are occurring in your home. We design a solution that addresses the specific foundation condition causing the gaps.
Our options include:
- A thorough foundation inspection.
- Stabilizing and potentially lifting the foundation with helical piers, push piers, or slab piers.
- Reinforcing floors with crawl space support jacks.
- Repairing bowing walls with wall anchors, wall beams, or carbon fiber straps.
- Ongoing support with annual maintenance checks.
Basement Authority of West Virginia stands behind our floor gap solutions with long-term warranties. Our customers gain peace of mind knowing their family and home’s safety comes first.
The Importance of Fixing Floor Gaps
Addressing floor and wall gaps promptly is crucial for several reasons:
- Prevent Additional Damage: Ignoring gaps can lead to worsening conditions and serious structural issues, such as the collapse of walls or floors.
- Minimize Repair Costs: Delaying repairs or opting for temporary fixes can end up being costly. Early intervention helps prevent worsening the problem.
- Avert Related Problems: Gaps can be entry points for moisture and pests, leading to issues like mold growth, wood rot, and pest infestations.
- Enhance Indoor Comfort: Gaps can disrupt your home’s climate control, resulting in drafts and increased energy bills.
- Preserve Home Value: Neglecting foundation issues that cause gaps can significantly diminish your property’s value.
Floor and wall gaps often signify deeper foundation problems that can escalate in severity and expense if not addressed promptly. Basement Authority of West Virginia offers expert foundation repair services for a lasting resolution to these issues. Contact us to tackle the problem effectively.
Contact Basement Authority of West Virginia to Resolve Floor Gap Issues

While floor gaps can cause serious issues if left unaddressed, Basement Authority of West Virginia makes it easy and affordable to implement solutions that work long-term. Our qualified technicians combine cutting-edge diagnostics with decades of hands-on local experience to get your repair job done right the first time.
Contact us for a free inspection and no-obligation quote to address the floor gaps in your home. Let’s work together toward a living space that’s safe, comfortable, and free of worries about what’s happening underneath your floors. Your peace of mind is our top priority, and we can’t wait to earn your trust and satisfaction.
FAQs
Using caulk or expandable foam as a temporary fix is not advisable, as these measures do not tackle the root cause of the foundation damage leading to the gaps. DIY methods are often ineffective in providing a long-term solution. It’s essential to opt for structural foundation repairs to ensure permanent stabilization of your home. Contact us to learn more and book a free inspection.
For minor issues, floor and wall gap repairs can generally be completed within one to two days once a repair plan is in place. However, in cases of severe foundation damage leading to gaps, the stabilization and repair process might be longer. Contact Basement Authority of West Virginia for a free inspection, estimate, and accurate project timeline.
Signs of worsening gaps include increased gap width, doors and windows becoming difficult to open or close, visible cracks in drywall, and noticeable floor unevenness. If you observe these symptoms, it’s important to schedule a professional inspection with Basement Authority of West Virginia.
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Our Locations
132 Rocky Step Rd.,
Scott Depot, WV 25560