The hairline gap between laminate and baseboard

[Doist]

In my flat the builders decided to cover it with silicone. I guess this makes the micro gap go away and also stops the capillary effect in case water is spilled nearby. This approach is followed in every single room.

I wonder what about the expansion that laminate may have? Or since it’s a new build with good insulation the builders were confident that was an acceptable solution?

 

[dazlight]

Micro gap ? Where is the gap. Is the laminate under the skirting ?

 

[Doist]

Micro gap ? Where is the gap. Is the laminate under the skirting ?

Yes, it's fully under it, and yet they applied silicone on top. I can assume that the laminate is not particularly water proof so if people mop their floors and spill some water (or just use a mop which is too moist) over time that leads to some swelling on the edge in case the water get sucked into the gap.

 

[Doist]

One picture is worth thousands words

 

[aveatry]

One picture is worth thousands words
View attachment 394325

Could be a cleaver hack for uneven floor and a gap if the skirt is not scribed, apply Vaseline to the floor so the silicone will not stick to the floor but it will stick to the skirt so the expanding floor can slide under the skirt.

Anyway not sure how much expansion you will get but it depends on the area - the silicone wont stop the power of expansion but it might drag the silicone or pull it off

 

[Doist]

Don’t think they did that trick, and the floor seems generally smooth as well as the baseboards are quite straight on average

Curious if anyone ever had that capillary effect in mind when doing mouldings…