Wooden floorboards shrunk

[IE00]

We went on holiday for three and a half weeks and due to a thermostat error the heating was in full blast. Our oak floorboards have shrunk to cause a separation in the floor in many areas. Some gaps are a good 1.5cm and shows the floor below.

Does anyone know how to restore the floorboards? How do we encourage them to go back to their original state?

 

[foxhole]

Leave a wall paper stripper steamer running in the room and close door.

 

[IE00]

Thanks. Unfortunately we don't have a wall paper stripper. Is there anything else we can use?

 

[foxhole]

Humidifier

 

[JP_]

mop them?

don't blame me if they warp or rot ... I'm just making it up.

but seriously, 1.5cm gap? That's huge.

Maybe they will expand back once the climate gets back to normal...

Boil a kettle every half hour in the room, with windows shut?

 

[cwhaley]

Thanks. Unfortunately we don't have a wall paper stripper. Is there anything else we can use?

Anything which generates steam for a prolonged period of time....

Borrow or buy one. But if not the floor will eventually return to normal through breathing, cooking, washing -- i.e. putting moisture back into the air over time.