[MikefromMA]

Hi everyone. I want to thank everyone in advance for any help you can give me. I have an issue at my front door, and am not really sure where to go with it from here. Here is the story.

I had Home Depot install an Anderson series storm door on the front of my house a few years back. After a while, we started noticing the carpet near the door felt damp and started to stain. We thought it might be just from the dog, we have a Dachsund, going in an out. However, since we don't use this door as a main entrance, I wasn't sure. Fast forward, and the stain on the carpet is moving farther in and the wood below the door is rotting. I had a couple contrators come out. I showed them that even after several dry days, when you open the storm door, water sprays out the bottom. They insisted that could not be the problem and sealed all the areas above the decoritive piece above the door to see if that would stop the issue. After a major rain, it felt pretty damp again yesterday.

I attached some pics for everyones review. What would you guys do in this situation. I need to make some repairs, replace the carpet I think, but I don't want to spend any cash until i have a grip on whats going on. Several contractors later, no one has come up with a solution. I think it is the door/installtion of the door, but, no one thinks that is very likely.


Thanks so much!!!

Mike form MA.

 

[kwikfishron]

Welcome to the forum Mike.

Is there any signs of water on the wall above the carpet, at or above the baseboard?

 

[MikefromMA]

No, no sign of any leaks at all. And, this has been going on for a long time. The walls are perfect. The highest level that I see it is the carpeting. The drywall right down to the baseboard is dry as a bone.

 

[kwikfishron]

That’s pretty odd to be getting that wet through two doors. Can’t see the threshold on the main door. The easiest way to troubleshoot it is to get the hose out and systematicly work different areas until you find the leak or leaks.

At first glance I was thinking issues with the vinyl siding.

 

[MikefromMA]

I wondered about the siding as well and mentioned it to the contractors. After a couple years, I thought for sure I would see some stains in the drywall or the ceilings, no?

I added another pic from the inside.

 

[sixeightten]

If water is leaking in at the top of the door, it can work its way to the side jambs and run down to the floor. If you can remove a piece of the door casing you may find the water trail.

 

[loneframer]

My first impression is that water is leaking above the main door, running down the side jambs and wetting the floor.

In my experience, most leaks "at the threshold of the door" actually stem from above the door. Not always, but a greater percentage than not.


BTW, is that a "broken pediment":whistling2:

 

[MikefromMA]

My first impression is that water is leaking above the main door, running down the side jambs and wetting the floor.

In my experience, most leaks "at the threshold of the door" actually stem from above the door. Not always, but a greater percentage than not.


BTW, is that a "broken pediment":whistling2:

I don't know what you mean by broken pediment?

ok, so where would you start on the trail to fixing the issue? Would an awning work?

 

[loneframer]

I don't know what you mean by broken pediment?

ok, so where would you start on the trail to fixing the issue? Would an awning work?

Broken pediment is kind of an inside joke from a thread I saw yesterday.

http://www.diychatroom.com/f104/attaching-exterior-door-pediment-106027/

Anyhow, a properly installed awning would be a start, if the water is indeed coming from above the door.

I have seen many doors like yours, with no protection above them, end up with similar problems.

One thing you may want to observe is, when it's raining against that wall, does the water build up behind the storm door and puddle before draining away? If it does, you may have to make an adjustment or modification to the sill expander on the storm door. Water should not get behind the glass if it's installed properly, but it will if you use your screen panel.

 

[kwikfishron]

The last picture tells a better story.

It’s coming from above. It is something with the siding detail, it could be the light but who knows at this point.

I’d pull off the siding on the latch side of the door, I’ll bet you find wet sheathing. Once it‘s opened up it should be pretty easy to find the source..