Why Are There Gaps Between My Floor and Walls?

The presence of gaps between a property’s floors and walls is a serious issue, even if the gap seems small and is relatively hard to notice. Whatever the underlying cause, the presence of these kinds of gaps is a sign that there has been a serious amount of movement in the structure of your Charlotte property. As such, there is really no ‘good’ reason for gaps between your floors and walls, but there are some reasons that are more benign than others.

The least widespread (and potentially easiest to deal with) cause of these kinds of gaps is damage to the joists and beams that support your property’s flooring. Known as joist over span, this can be caused by many things including but not limited to defects in the joist design, material flaws, wood rot, foundation movement, and accidental damage to the joists. As the floor sags due to the lack of necessary support, it can start to pull away from the walls and leave gaps behind. A more serious issue is the presence of foundation damage. While a sagging floor may be the most visible sign of this (caused by the separation of flooring from its supports), the underlying issue is more serious by far.

Finally, there is a chance that the gaps are actually being caused by movement in the walls, rather than the floor. This can occur for a number of reasons, including hydrostatic pressure and, of course, foundation damage (which can result in instability in the wider structure of your home). Whatever the cause, a speedy repair is the best possible course of action for both you and your home. Gaps between your floor and walls are not only a sign of damage. They also can contribute to a generally uncomfortable and unhealthy climate by increasing airflow.