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Preventing Water Damage to Doors

By
Home Inspector with Home Critique Property Inspections LLC

In my job as an Austin Home Inspector,  I am frequently finding rotting door jambs due to water absorption on exterior doorways.  Door damage

The aluminum thresholds collect water and allow the adjacent wood door trim to absorb it leading to wood rot.  This rot then migrates into the door itself and also to the wooden floor decking if so constructed.  I photograph this area for all my customers and add a "preventative maintenance recommended" blurb in the report to inform them of this potential.  A nickel's worth of silicone along this joint can save LOTS of time and potentially money.   All that is needed is for a bead of silicone along this joint, from front to back to keep the water away from theDoor threshold unpainted hidden wood!
So, don't forget to add this to your report!

Glen Kotulek

Home Inspector Austin TX

www.homecritiquepi.com

Comments (17)

Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate

I have that kind of problem with my doors.  I don't think that is the problem but when it warms a bit I will put some on.  Thanks.

Jan 23, 2009 01:43 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

Useful maintenance tip, although we don't seem to get enough rain here at any one time to have that type of water damage. Our wood just dries out and splits in our eleven months of sunshine and hot, dry Santa Ana winds.

Feb 13, 2009 04:10 AM
Anonymous
Jesse Bryant

I also see this quite a bit Glen; most often at back doors where there is no guttering or drip diverter at the roof eave.  These items help quite a bit as most of the water contact occurs from the water dripping from the eave, impacting the deck or patio and then splashing onto the door or trim.  The water then collects the threshold and viola.....rot.  Take care.

Feb 19, 2009 01:35 AM
#3
Glen Kotulek
Home Critique Property Inspections LLC - Austin, TX
Austin Home Inspector, schedule online www.homecritiquepi.com

It's pretty rampant around here if the door is not protected, but only when it rains, and apparently it's never going to rain here again!!!   CAN YOU SAY DROUGHT!  Yikes!  I have horses, that eat grass, that needs rain!  Thanks for the comments guys! 

Blue skies!  (rather have grey right now)

Feb 19, 2009 06:04 AM
Jon Wnoroski
America's 1st Choice RH Realty Co., Inc. - Green, OH
Summit County Realtor

Hi Glen - Thanks for the information.  I've seen deterioration of this nature in some homes and it's a sign of poor maintenance.  Often it's an indication to buyers that there may be other problems related to poor maintenance habits.

Mar 06, 2009 11:19 PM
Andrew Haslett
Van Warren Home Inspections, NAHI CRI - Fort Knox, KY
Heartland of Kentuckynulls, Best Home Inspector

Jon points out that this is indicative of poor maintenance habits. Good point -- thanks Jon.

Thing is, who teaches good maintenance habits? We aren't born with it; it isn't instinct. It is a learned behavior. It wasn't on my high school curriculum. And, it wasn't taught in college.

If I wasn't in the construction / inspection industry, the access to good maintenance habits would be limited.

Mar 13, 2009 03:23 PM
Anonymous
Dan

Great tip Glen. Aluminum is also normally a lot cooler than any other surface too which will cause condensation and also lead to additioanl water damage.

Dan with water damage company

Jul 05, 2010 11:25 AM
#7
Anonymous
timber flooring installation

I have the same problem with my washroom's door but in summer or on hot days it will back to normal I mean I think we can not do anything with that problem

 

Jan 30, 2011 05:35 PM
#8
Anonymous
sydney flooring

You hve mentioned very good idea about hoe to prevent the door from water damage I like to add that we can also use alumininum frame at the edge, it would be very effective.

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