The first step on how to repair water damaged wood door is inspecting your door’s state. Go through your door’s swing, threshold, and other parts of your door with us through the guide below.
Then, we’ll tackle how to fix surface water damage on a wood door. Lastly, we’ll go through the ways to protect your entrance. This article will be packed with information, so we hope you’ll read it until the end!
Inspect The Water Damage On Your Door
Doors commonly get water damaged because they are exposed to the elements. If you suspect that your door is water damaged, especially after heavy rains, inspect your door.
Inspecting your door is crucial to determine which part of your door is water damaged. Then, document the damage on your door, noting that it is essential for your insurance claim.
Also, if you need help with your insurance claim, you can contact your lawyer for assistance. Moreover, review your insurance coverage and policies to ensure that the cause of water damage is included in your insurance.
Door’s swing
Now, for the inspection part, you have to check your door’s swing if it’s working correctly. Just a bit of an FYI, outward swinging doors are typically better designed to prevent water from entering your home.
Also, if you’re looking into hinges that can best protect your door from the harsh weather, then exterior-rated hinges are the way to go. With that said, check your hinges if they are worn out and replace them accordingly.
Threshold
A threshold is a sloped structure at the bottom of your door that helps keep water out of your house. First, check if your door has a threshold.
If you do have a threshold, then check for water pooling. Examine if your threshold is sloped away from your home or if it’s level across your door’s width.
Overall inspection
This time, inspect your door frame if it’s soggy or rotting. Inspect your door’s surface for signs of water damage as well, like swelling. Check the floor behind your doorway to see if there is cupping.
Lastly, check if the locks, knobs, and handles are working. If they are not working properly, look at this article on repairing water-damaged door jambs.
Does it have rot?
After looking into the state of your door, look into the corners of your door if they have rotted. Rot is caused by water and mold, and it weakens your door’s ability to protect the inside of your home.
You can see if your door has rot if your wood is crumbling and if your door isn’t correctly closing. You can check for crumbling wood using a screwdriver to poke the frame.
If the frame gives away or crumbles, then you may have rot damage. Also, if your door is not properly closing, it may be because your wood has warped due to rot.
Steps In Repairing Water Damaged Wood Door
Step #1. Affected area
First, look for the affected area using the guide above, then clean it with a household cleaner. Then, leave it to dry. If the entry door skin is damaged, look into this article on repairing water-damaged entry door skin.
Step #2. Sand
After drying the damaged area, use medium-grit sandpaper to remove superficial water damage. Sanding the spot down would also help your sealant adhere better.
Step #3. Seal
After sanding the area down:
- Apply a coat of multi-purpose wood sealant.
- Leave it to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Sand down the surface again and apply a second coat.
Leave the new coat unsanded to act as a resilient layer of protection against the harsh weather.
Step #4. Remove and install
Remove your old and worn weatherstripping around your door sill and door frame to make way for the new one. Then, install the new weatherstripping.
Tips on protecting your wood door
After learning about repairing your water-damaged door, it’s only natural to want to know how to protect it as well. These tips would focus on protecting your door from the threat of weather damage.
Check your roof
Since your roof is also susceptible to water damage due to the elements. It being damaged is likely to lead to leaks and affect the other structures of your home, so check your roof before and after heavy rain. Maintain it accordingly as well.
Clear downpipes and gutters
Remove leaves and muck from your gutter and repair any leaks. Check if they are firmly attached to your home and if they drain properly. If they are properly maintained, they are less likely to lead to damage.
Inspect your door’s state
Inspect your door frame for signs of warping and rot, as this may worsen after heavy rains. You can reread the inspection part and go through the process of checking your door’s structures if they are maintained.
Conclusion
Doors are at the forefront of your house. It acts as an entryway and protection against the harsh weather (and strangers, of course).
If it is water-damaged, it will cause trouble for other parts of your home. Learning about how to repair water damaged wood door is helpful, so we hope it will help you with your repairs!