So, you’ve recently noticed water gathering around your exterior door and are wondering why this is happening and what the proper solution is.
Whether you live in an area prone to hurricanes and heavy rains or often experience droughts, puddles of water around your door are hard to miss.
Where is this water coming from? Why is it staying by my door?
What other problems will this cause for my door?
As an exterior door replacement contractor since 1989, Southwest Exteriors has helped hundreds of homeowners who have experienced several issues with their doors.
No matter if the water forming around your door is caused by an improper installation, a bad threshold, or is coming from another leak in your home, we want you to have the right information to know what the right solution is to fix your problem.
This article will outline five common ways water leaks around your exterior door and the cause and solution to fix it.
Then, you can know approximately where your water leak is coming from around your door and take the next steps to fix it before it’s too late.
Why is water leaking around my exterior door? Where it’s coming from and what to do
When you find a problem with anything in your home, you first think, “Why is this happening?”
Especially when it comes to the exterior of your home, the last thing you want is to leave a threatening problem to grow and ruin other parts of your home.
Water leaking around your door may not seem like a problem that puts your home in critical condition. Anytime excess water is stagnant in your home, it can cause rot, which can spread like wildfire once it forms. The longer water is left, the worse your problems will get.
So, what’s causing the water around your exterior door, and what is the proper solution?
Here are five common causes of water leaking around your door that we will cover in this article:
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If parts of the door were not installed properly
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If your siding or roofing was not installed properly
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If part of the door has become rotted or warped
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If your door does not have a sill pan
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If your door has become old and worn
1. If parts of the door were not installed properly
One of the first things that will cause leaking around your exterior door is if any part of the door is not installed properly.
Even if you have the highest quality door on the market, if it is not installed properly, it will not function as it should.
If your door is not installed properly, water can leak around it in many ways. If you suspect your door was not installed properly, you will want to look around the door jambs, bottom threshold, and frame.
What to look for that’s causing water to leak around your door
- Water forming around the bottom of your door can indicate the threshold was not installed properly, the sill pan was not installed properly (or there is no sill pan), or the door was not flashed properly.
The threshold at the bottom of the door protects the bottom of the frame from exterior factors, like water. If not installed properly, water can infiltrate the door frame and build up around the bottom of your door.
- Water coming in around the side of your door can be caused by insufficient flashing or caulking around the door. This will also cause water to gather at the bottom of your door.
Flashing around the door protects the interior of the frame and walls from water. If the flashing is not installed properly, it is not protecting your door from water.
- Caulking around the door trim, jambs, and threshold creates a tight seal around the door. If the door is not caulked properly, water can make its way through the small cracks around the door and cause rotting or water buildup.
What is the solution if parts of my door are not installed properly
If you notice water forming around the bottom of your door or leaking around the frame and suspect it is from an improper installation, you’ll want to call a professional to look at your door and confirm what’s causing the problem.
Depending on the severity of the installation, you may be able to have that part of the door reinstalled, like the threshold and sill pan, or completely reinstalled.
Flashing behind the door requires the entire door to be removed, fixed, and reinstalled. The solution to your improperly installed door also depends on how badly it was installed.
This is why you will want to have a professional assess your door and provide the correct solution to fix the door and stop water from leaking around it.
2. If your siding or roofing was not installed properly or is damaged
Another common thing that will cause leaking around your door is if any part of your roofing or siding is not installed properly. Damage to any part of your home also allows for any water to
Your siding is the first exterior barrier that protects your home. If any part of your siding is not installed properly, many parts of your home are in trouble.
Similarly, your roofing protects the top of your home. If any part of your roofing or siding is damaged or wasn’t installed properly, your home is susceptible to water coming in from all angles.
What to look for that’s causing water to leak around your door
- Water coming through the top or sides of your door can indicate something is wrong with the siding or roofing of your home.
Any damage or improper installation of siding can allow water to infiltrate through any small cracks or openings.
Similarly, any damage to your roofing, or if your roofing was not installed properly the first time, can allow water and other exterior elements to get into your home.
- If you notice water coming through the top or sides of your exterior door, you will want to walk around the exterior of your home to look for any damage or siding that is not sealed properly.
You will also want to look up near your roofline along the soffit and fascia of your siding to look for any damage, open cracks, or rotting.
What is the solution if my siding or roofing was not installed properly or is damaged
If you suspect water is coming through your door because your siding or roofing is not properly installed or damaged, you will want to contact a professional exterior remodeling contractor to assess your home.
An exterior remodeling contractor that specializes in siding and exterior doors will be able to not only find any problems with your siding or roofing but can also analyze your exterior door and know what is causing the leaking.
3. If part of the door has become rotted or warped
One common symptom that will allow water to leak around your exterior door is if the door has become rotted or the frame has become warped.
Rotting can occur in any door frame but is most common in and around wood doors if water is the problem. Warping around the door frame is also most common with vinyl doors, as vinyl can warp and change shape under constantly changing temperatures.
What to look for that’s causing water to leak around your door
- If you’ve noticed water pooling around the bottom of your door or dripping from any part of your door, you’ll want to inspect your door for any rot, especially if you have a wood door.
Inspect around the door frame for any open cracks, damage, or rotting.
- If you have a vinyl door, take a step back and look at the frame of the door. Does it look off? Warping of your door frame will create cracks and open seals around the frame, allowing water to get into those cracks, leak, and rot.
Overall, you’ll want to inspect the integrity of the door frame and look for any cracks or open seams that are allowing water to come through the door.
What is the solution if the door frame is rotted or warped
If something is wrong with your door frame that is allowing water to come in around your door, you will most likely need repair or a replacement of your door and frame.
The only solution to rotting is a replacement. If the door frame is warped, it may be adjusted to be fixed but may likely need a replacement as well.
You will want to contact a professional door replacement contractor to assess your door and provide you with the right solution.
4. If your door does not have a sill pan
One less common symptom that will cause leaking through your exterior door is if there is no sill pan. This would be an improper installation of your door.
The sill pan installed under the threshold is made to expel any water that may have gotten underneath the threshold. If it is not installed properly or there is no sill pan, it is not doing its job and will allow water to form and stay stagnant.
What to look for that’s causing water to leak around your door
- If water is coming through your door because there is no sill pan, you will notice water pooling around the bottom of your door.
Because the sill pan is nonexistent, there is nothing to allow any water to repel away from the door. This will allow the water to build up underneath the threshold and cause rotting if left untreated.
What is the solution if there is no sill pan on my door
If you suspect water is gathering around your door because there is no sill pan, this is an installation issue.
You will want to contact the contractor who installed your door to check the door to ensure there is a sill pan underneath the threshold.
Or, if you no longer trust that contractor because they did not install your door correctly, you will want to find a trustworthy door replacement contractor to assess your door and install a sill pan.
5. If your door has become old and worn
The fifth and final reason your door may be leaking water is if it has simply just become too old.
The older your door becomes, the more worn down it becomes. This can cause a multitude of problems, leaking water being one of them.
What to look for that’s causing water to leak around your door
- If you’ve been living in your home for a while or bought an older home that hasn’t had a door replacement, water may be leaking around the door simply because the door is old.
The more your door becomes worn, the more susceptible it is to common problems, like cracking and warping, which can allow water to come in around the door.
- Overall, if you notice water forming around your door and know your door is older, it may be a symptom of old age.
What is the solution to an old door leaking water
A door can only be adjusted so many times to fix a problem. If your door is leaking water due to old age, the only solution is to replace it.
So, you’ll want to find a trustworthy and reputable door replacement contractor in your area to replace your door with something that will last.
Finding the right solution for your leaking exterior door
Now that you know the five common causes of water leaking around your exterior door, you know what to look for to identify the cause and what the right solution is.
What’s worse than puddles of water around your door? Rot getting into your home’s frame.
No matter what’s causing water to form around your door, it is a serious issue. Anytime water infiltrates into your home, whether it’s through your siding, roofing, windows, or doors, it can cause a multitude of problems.
So, if you find water leaking around your exterior door, you won’t want to wait to take action. You will want to contact the right exterior contractor to assess your door, determine what’s causing the leaking, and provide the right solution to fix it.
But, to make sure your door gets fixed properly the first time, you must find a trustworthy contractor who can meet your needs for your home.
This article will outline three steps to find the right home remodeling contractor and what questions to consider. Then, you can find the best company to work with to fix your door and provide you with a lifelong solution.
Need your door replaced with a contractor you can trust?
Southwest Exteriors provides high-quality door replacements with top-notch, long-lasting exterior replacement doors from Marvin, ProVia, and Anlin.
We offer full door system replacements to ensure your new door will last a lifetime in your home. If you experience any problems with your door in the future, we’ll be there to fix them.
Ready to replace your door with something that will last? Schedule your commitment-free consultation with an expert design consultant today!