How to fill gaps in floorboards before laying carpet?

Dan4

What is the best product to use to fill in saw cuts in my floor boards before laying down carpet. The saw cuts must have been for inspection points at some stage by the previous owners. Would you use wood putty then sand it, or just use silicone, or some other caulking product? What’s the best product to use that will be covered by carpet for the next decade or longer. 

  

MitchellMc

Hi @Dan4,

A caulkable gap filler would likely be fine for this sort of job, especially since it’ll be hidden under carpet. If you’d like something more rigid and long-lasting, Builder’s Bog is a good option. Just be aware you’ll need to sand it smooth afterwards.

One thing I’d double-check before filling, though, is how secure those boards are. Were the cuts made right through the boards, and are they fixed firmly in place? From your photo, it looks like the cuts might be right on the joists, and unless extra support timbers have been installed, I’d be a little cautious about the structural strength there. Best to make sure there’s solid support underneath, as the last thing you want is to lay new carpet and later have the section sag or break under load. If their ends are sitting on the joists, you might like to nail them back to the joists.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell