[newguy101]

I have a 35 yr old basement bulkhead door. The frame is rusting badly at the very top (see pics)

I do not want to replace the door at the moment (we almost never use it). I'm trying to figure out a cheap way to stop the damage. I was wondering whether I could do something like the schematic I attached.

I was thinking I could add some flashing (green in the schematic) that would cause the water to flow over the doors rather than getting stuck in the lip that the door closes over, and which has almost totally rusted away.

The issue with this is that the door would not be able to be opened without removing the flashing, but I am envisioning something that would be held in place with maybe 2 screws on the side into wood. And like I said, we almost never use the door (maybe once a yr).

Is there a better way to deal with this issue? Any and all thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[Nealtw]

That would prevent you from opening the door.

I think a small skirt roof would do more.

 

[newguy101]

That would prevent you from opening the door.

I think a small skirt roof would do more.

That would definitely be a more elegant solution. Thanks for the tip.

Since we don't use the door almost ever though, I am leaning towards my solution as a temporary fix to at least stop the bleeding.

 

[Nealtw]

That would definitely be a more elegant solution. Thanks for the tip.

Since we don't use the door almost ever though, I am leaning towards my solution as a temporary fix to at least stop the bleeding.

We never see those here, what is the code on egress from the basement.

 

[newguy101]

We never see those here, what is the code on egress from the basement.

Good question. Not sure. I'll have to look into that.

 

[Nealtw]

Good question. Not sure. I'll have to look into that.

The top of the door on the outside there is a square hole. It looks like you could cover the whole header with a flashing that would drain out that side hole.



Something like the bottom few inches of vinyl siding face down

 

[newguy101]

The top of the door on the outside there is a square hole. It looks like you could cover the whole header with a flashing that would drain out that side hole.



Something like the bottom few inches of vinyl siding face down

I think I understand what you are saying - that is a really smart idea, and I think that would work. I will mess around this weekend and try to get something made.

 

[Nealtw]

I think I understand what you are saying - that is a really smart idea, and I think that would work. I will mess around this weekend and try to get something made.

You could have a sheet metal shop make something out of galvanized steel sheet. :wink2:

 

[carpdad]

Vinyl siding has joints where you can slip in a sheetmetal, bent away, and caulk the joint to hold the sheet. I'm not following nealtw's idea, eye tired, but feels like it will look better.