How To Prevent The Decaying Of An External Door Frame?

To prevent door frame rot, use treated wood for outdoor applications to resist moisture better. Look for soft spots, discoloration, or crumbling wood and use a screwdriver to poke the wood to check for softness. Moisture at the corner of a door system can work a number on an exterior wood door frame if it isn’t designed to combat it.

To prevent wood rot in an exterior door frame, minimize your home’s energy efficiency and lead to costly repairs. Here are some simple DIY fixes to reduce rot:

1. Check joints and seams of outdoor wood structures. Can water get in? Caulk with acrylic latex caulk to lock out moisture. Address visible damage to siding.

2. Spot rot by looking for peeling paint or cracks in the frame. Regularly waterproofing and sealing your exterior door frames can help prevent mold development and prevent wood rot. Routine paint or stain touch-ups also help to seal and protect wooden door frames.

3. Repair a rotten door frame by completely removing and replacing the affected wood. If left for too long, you may need to replace the entire door frame.

4. Use spray-can primer or lacquer, a quart of primer, and a steady supply of chip brushes to seal jambs. Therma thru and other companies make rot-resistant jambs with rot-resistant Alaskan Yellow Cyprus finger jointed to the bottom of each jamb leg.

5. Build a covering over your entry door to minimize water infiltration. Re-paint cracked and peeling wood. Remove any built-in sill plates and wall bottom plates.

6. Keep the door frame dry to prevent moisture absorption. Regular inspections and maintenance are the most effective ways to prevent door frame rot.