Tools and Materials
What Part of the Door is Rotting?
Before getting on to repairing the door frame, let's identify the culprit: the door or the frame. Here are some simple tips to pinpoint the trouble:
Inspect All Corners and Edges
A rotting door often feels softer than usual. Take a good look around the corners and edges because that’s where the moisture tends to sneak in. Try gently poking it with your finger. If it feels spongy, it’s a classic sign of rot. Visual clues like discoloration or flaking paint might also point to the need to fix your front door.
Check the Frame
Use a screwdriver to gently probe suspected areas. If it starts to sink in easily, it's time for a repair. You might also see fungi growing. Check the lower parts of the frame first, as they're prone to rotting due to water exposure.
Assess Severity of the Rot
Figuring out how severe the rot is can feel like a bit of detective work. Based on your assessment, you can decide whether to search for ways to repair the entry door frame or call in a professional for backup. We’ve broken down exactly how you can identify and fix the rot in the section below. You will find out the extent of the rot and what you can do in each situation to save your door.
Shallow Surface Rot
What to Look for: The paint might be peeling, but the wood feels solid under.
What to Do: Sand the area and apply a fresh coat of paint or sealant.
Medium Rot
What to Look For: There are soft spots in the wood, but the rot isn't widespread and doesn't go all the way through.
What to Do: Scrape out the rotted wood with a putty knife, apply a hardener and fill the void with wood filler or epoxy.
Severe Rot
What to Look For: The wood is crumbling or falling apart. There's significant structural damage and the door or frame feels unstable or unsafe.
What to Do: Major issues often require replacing affected parts or the entire door.
If your door or frame plays a crucial role in your home's structure, consult a professional carpenter or contractor.
Repairing Door Rot
Now that we’ve narrowed down the problem areas, we can delve into how to repair our front door. Follow this step-by-step guide to get rid of the rot in a few quick steps.
Remove the Door
- Use a screwdriver to remove the hinges off the door.
- Take the door off its frame.
- Lay the door on a sturdy surface, like a sawhorse or a workbench.
Remove Rotted Wood
- Completely remove loose and rotted wood with a chisel, hammer, or utility knife.
- Remove all decayed material until you reach solid, healthy wood.
- Scrape off all paint to ensure good adhesive bonding.
Wear a dust mask and gloves when removing the rotted wood as it might contain mold and fungi. These cause allergic reactions and skin irritation.
Fill the Void in Your Door
- Get a two-part epoxy and mix it as per the instructions given by the manufacturer.
- Use a syringe to apply the epoxy into the void in your door, ensuring it's completely filled. A syringe (with separate slots for resin and hardener) can help dispense equal amounts and prevent them from mixing prematurely in the syringe.
- Smooth the surface with a putty knife and allow it to dry completely (drying time varies based on the epoxy).
Sand, Prime, and Paint
Once the adhesive is set and shaped well, you can move on to the next step in fixing your door.
- Use sandpaper (100 or 120 grit) to smooth the repaired area until level.
- Wipe away dust and apply an exterior wood primer.
- Once the primer dries, apply exterior paint or stain using paint brushes to match the original door finish.
- Follow the specific paint or stain manufacturer's instructions.
Reinstall the Door
With the previous steps complete, you can now approach the final steps of repairing your rotted door frame. This is where everything comes together:
Preventing Door Rot
Prevention is key to avoiding future rot issues. Fixing your front door as soon as something comes up makes your work much easier.
Regular Maintenance
Proper Drainage
Make sure your gutters work well and steer rainwater away from the doors. Also, keep the door area free of leaves, debris and puddles.
Weatherstripping
Install weatherstripping around your doors. It functions like a gasket that keeps water away from your door. Replace old weatherstripping so the seal stays tight.
Proper Ventilation
To prevent rot, air out your home to get rid of moisture. Exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens help a great deal. By following these simple tips, you can avoid the hassle of fixing your front door over and over.
A Few More Things to Remember
Now that we know how to repair the entry door frame as well as how to prevent rotting, let’s look at a few more tips.
Exterior Door Materials
Fiberglass is a great choice because it won't warp, crack or rot. Steel doors provide security, but they need regular care to prevent rust.
Exterior Door Types
For superior insulation, consider a prehung door. These come ready-made with the door, frame and hardware already attached. Also, storm doors are a perfect solution for areas with harsh weather. They act as an extra layer of protection against the elements, which helps your door last longer.