Exterior Wood Door Leaking. HELP!

19 years ago

Hi all,

I bought an exterior knotty alder door for a new construction (picture at bottom).

The framers were rushing to put it in, so we just stained and varnished the front (used marine varnish) and did not do the interior.

Turns out, although there is a one foot overhang, there's lots of driving rain, so water started to seep in via the two panels on the front of the door. Now that I think back, when I was varnishing it, the varnish would go down in between the moulding and the door. I probably could've poured the whole can down there, it was just sucking it in!

So now, because of this gap, water is pouring into the door and seeping into the back/inside which is unfinished (could not do it because it has been too cold). The inside/back of the door is always wet and now it's dark from mold.

I figured I'd use some bleach and sand to get rid of the mold, but what can I do to prevent the water from getting in between the moulding in the first place? Can I use a clear, weatherproof caulk on the moulding? Should I take it off and try to nail it tighter to the door? Should I take if off and glue it? When I finally varnish the back, will that help or be enough?

I paid a lot for this door (never again) and don't want to see it ruined, plus the mold is not healthy or attractive.

Also, what's the best thing to use to finish this door? I will stain the back, then use either:

1)Marine Varnish

2)Polyurethane

3)Any other viable suggestions

Right now, I have some 6-mil poly on the front of the door opening to prevent the water infiltration. I'm using the back door for entry.

Thanks for your help in this matter.

Best regards,

Dunn

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

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Comments (4)

Kitty_in_NC
19 years ago
Are you sure you don't have a defective door? Water should not come all the way thru. I wouldn't suggest caulk - how about a bead of glue that dries clear. The panels are usually glued at the factory. Do this after any finishing is done, or the area won't take stain.
chrisincanada
19 years ago
That's pretty crappy. You definitely shouldn't have that much water coming through. It seems to me that perhaps the moulding is defective. They shouldn't require any sealing unless specified by the factory. Applying silicone to it is not permanent, nor would it look good, IMO.

If this door was rated as an exerior door, it seems to me that it should be able to withstand the elements. I'm no expert on doors, though.

You mentioned the framers were in a rush...is it possible they could have tweaked/forced the doors during installation and broken the moulding seals or otherwise damaged the doors? With that glass inset and the wood moulding, there's not a lot or room for error.

Good luck!
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I'm not really clear on whether you have to replace your front door or not. Can you continue to use your current door or is it necessary to put in a new one? If it's just the storm door your husband wants, can you find a skilled carpenter to build you one to go one your current door? Then stain it to match, so it disappears. Alternatively, tell your husband you don't want to compromise with "good enough" and will keeping searching until you find "perfect." He may come to love your current door before you track down something you like better. If you must replace your door, there is a lot of choice out there. We used "Rogue Valley" door and it's beautiful and well-made. Although we could not see that exact door, we could see samples of that manufacturer and others at a local millwork supplier. I suggest contacting the manufacturers to find out who within 100 miles or so has samples of their doors. It will be worth your time to make sure you have chosen the right door. Is your NE Nebraska or New England?
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Where is the rain coming in? Is it around the door itself, around the door frame, or from above? Each of these will require a different solution. Your 1-2 foot overhang may be part of the problem. Your door may not be weatherstripped properly. The frame may not have been sealed and caulked. The roof/gutter system may be faulty. You can check where the rain is coming in using your hose on a dry day.
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Look up mold remediation with borax. Spray the wood with that before you button it up. Since it is an interior closet wall, I 'd replace the drywall. It does not have to look pretty and it will be good practice for some other project that might be forced on you. Black spots might or might not be mold. Wood flooring can turn black from water exposure only. I think I would let sleeping dogs lie in that case.
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antioch_frank
19 years ago
First get the door dryÂstop the mold.

Check with the people who sold you the door wee what they have to say.

Can you post a picture of your installed door and indicate where you think it is leaking?
Jon1270
19 years ago
I once rented an apartment in Northern California, near the coast. It had a pair of french doors with the glass held in place with tight moldings, but still a driving rain coming off the ocean could find its way right through, water running down the inside of the glass. It was amazing to watch. This obviously isn't what you want to hear, but... perhaps a 1' overhang isn't enough? Your door should be tightly assembled, but it shouldn't need to be a submarine hatch. BTW, I wouldn't glue those panels. The whole reason for frame and panel construction is that those solid wood panels get wider in damp weather and narrower in dry weather. If you glue it, the next time there's movement only 2 things can happen: the glue breaks, or the panel does. Of course the finish will slow vapor transmission and reduce movement, but it won't eliminate it. If you must, a flexible caulk is a better choice.

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Exterior Wood Door Leaking. HELP!

Comments (4)

Kitty_in_NC

chrisincanada

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antioch_frank

Jon1270

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