Keeping Up with Door Repair and Maintenance
PROTECT YOUR HOME.
Home maintenance is something every homeowner has to keep track of, but are you neglecting your doors?
Your door plays an important role, both as an entryway for your family and guests, but also as a barrier that protects you from outside elements such as weather, insects, and intruders. High energy bills, water damage, and more are all signs of a door that needs some TLC.
Keeping up with door repair and maintenance is an essential part of making sure your exterior doors are able to provide the highest level of security and protection for your home against water damage, drafts, and even break-ins. By regularly inspecting your exterior doors and keeping up with repairs and upgrades as needed, you’ll enjoy a home that’s safe, secure, and comfortable.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF WATER DAMAGE TO MY DOORS?
Rain, snow, and high humidity all lead to one major issue for homes: water damage.
Moisture which becomes trapped in and around your house can take many forms, including mold, mildew, staining and discoloration, and wood rot. These issues range from inconvenient to damaging, and could cost you thousands in repairs.
Your exterior doors play a major role in keeping water out of your home, so it’s important to protect them with the proper components in order to prevent water damage.
What is Frame Rot?
Wood rot is a naturally occurring fungus which grows in moist conditions and feeds on wood fibers. It is a major concern when it comes to the damage that moisture can inflict on your door frame. When your door frame is exposed to moisture, the wood fibers naturally wick the moisture into the core. If that moisture can’t escape, the surrounding fibers begin to break down and rot.
While many think of moisture damage and rot as issues which develop over time, door frame rot can begin as soon as 3 months after installation.
The Signs of Frame Rot:
Water Wicking
Wood fibers naturally absorb water. Homeowners may notice a musty smell and crumbling sections in the door frame.
Swelling
Shrinking and swelling occur as wood changes moisture content could make the door more difficult to open and close. This is in response to daily/seasonal changes in the relative humidity of the atmosphere.
Paint Peeling
Water left standing on sills can eventually penetrate the paint film. Later, when the water evaporates, the pressure from under the film causes paint to blister and peel.
How to Repair and Prevent Frame Rot
The only way to repair a rotten door frame is to completely remove and replace the affected wood. If left for too long, you may need to replace your entire door frame, so be sure to check your door frames for signs of rot regularly.
The rotten section of your door frame will need to be cut away and replaced. A FrameSaver®️ Rot Repair Kit can be used to replace the rotted section of wood on your frame and prevent future wood rot from forming.
FrameSaver®️ Rot Repair Kits
The composite material of a FrameSaver Rot Repair Kit completely blocks moisture from your frame, stopping frame rot before it can start. It can be painted to look just like the rest of your wood door frame, so the only difference you’ll notice is the lack of wood rot!
HOW CAN I IMPROVE MY DOOR SECURITY?
The safety of your family and your home shouldn’t be taken lightly, which is why it’s so important to invest in quality door components to protect your family, your home, and your belongings against break-ins.
Over time, frequent use can cause your door’s hardware to become worn or damaged, compromising the security they provide. Inspect your locks regularly to make sure they provide a secure hold against forced entry.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT LOCK.
Having the right lock for your exterior doors is an essential part of your home’s security. Mechanical locks offer better security, but pose the risk of lost keys and getting locked out of your home. Newer “smart locks” offer more convenience but do come with security concerns. LEARN MORE
For lock parts, handsets, and more, check out BetterDoor’s selection of locks and hardware. Our Trilennium® Multi-Point Locking System and hardware provides unmatched protection for your home.
This advanced locking system:
- Fights deflection
- Prevents forced entry
- Prevents door warping and misalignment that can damage your doors
- Is easy to operate
What about French Doors?
If you’ve been dreaming of having a beautiful set of French doors leading to your back patio but are concerned about the security, the right astragal system can put your mind at ease.
What is an astragal?
An astragal is the vertical strip that is placed in between your two French doors. The astragal is attached to the inactive door panel, or the panel that is not typically used for entry and exit, in your French door system. Astragals close the clearance gap found between congruent door panels and provide better security for your French doors.
In addition to better home security, the right astragal system for French doors offers some key benefits:
- Provides an energy efficient home by blocking air drafts, keeping heating and air conditioning inside and saving you money on your monthly energy bills.
- Prevents water leaks during heavy rain or snow.
- Blocks bugs, dust, and debris from getting inside.
HOW CAN I MAKE MY DOORS MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT?
No one likes the drafty feeling caused by gaps around your exterior doors, but that discomfort isn’t the only issue. A drafty front door could be costing you money by allowing your heating and air conditioning to escape your home, leading to higher energy bills, especially in the summer and winter.
Look for cracks around your glass panels.
The seal around your door’s glass panels can break down over time. If you feel a draft around the glass, sealing the seams can help make your door more energy efficient.
Check your door’s alignment.
Over time, your door hinges can loosen with use, causing your door to sag and form gaps between the door and the frame.
Double check your weatherstripping.
Does your weatherstripping create a strong seal when you close your door? If not, it might be time to replace it.
Closing the gaps.
Making sure your door creates a snug seal every time it’s closed is the best way to increase energy efficiency.
Install door sweeps.
Door sweeps and bottoms create a better seal against bugs, moisture, and heat or air conditioning loss when your door is closed.
Adjust your door sill.
Warping, cracking, or improper installment can make the affected door sill ineffective for sealing your exterior door system.
ARE MY DOORS SEALED PROPERLY AGAINST LEAKS AND DRAFTS?
Having the right weather sealing around your door panels is essential to properly sealing your home’s entryway and protecting your house from the elements.
An unsealed door can lead to:
- Air leaks and drafts
- Insect infestations
- Moisture leaks
- Higher energy bills
Preventing drafts and leaks.
Air drafts, water leaks, bugs and insects, and even dust and debris can all find their way into your home through a door which isn’t properly sealed. To prevent these issues, there are several areas you can check around your door.
Weatherstripping
The right weatherseal product will create a perfect seal between your door, and the frame, preventing drafts and leaks. Learn more about how to select the right weathersealing for your door.
Door Bottoms
If you’ve noticed a gap between the bottom of your door and the sill, it’s time to invest in a new door bottom. Along with your sill, this component will complete the seal around your door to prevent drafts. Is it time to invest in a new door bottom?
Corner Pads
This small component can have a big impact on your door. They’re located at the corners where your door frame meets the sill, and they work to keep light, air, moisture, and more from entering your home. Learn more about corner pads.
Keeping up with door repair and maintenance is an important part of owning a home. BetterDoor offers a wide range of door components to keep your doors in good repair, increase your energy efficiency, and make your door more secure against insects, dust and debris, forced entry, and water damage.