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Finding and properly eliminating rotting wood will increase the lifetime of your doors.

1

It’s easy to determine whether your door is rotting. Use a thin knife and press it into the wood gently.  If it penetrates more than a few milimeters, this means your frame is rotting. The rotten wood needs to be cut out of the frame so it does not spread.

2

Rotting Wood Repair

To repair the door frame, assess the damage. Press into the wood, checking for spongey areas, as this will guide you to the extent of the problem.

You need to remove all of the rotten wood in order to protect the healthy door frame. To ensure you do so, remove an additional three centimeters above the top of the rot as a buffer.

3

Once you’ve removed the rotten area with a knife, measure the size of the gap left. The thickness of the frame and the extent of the damaged area will determine whether you can use wood filler or whether you must replace it with a section of timber.

If the area is small, fill it with wood filler. Once it is spread into the recess and sits slightly flush from the rest of the frame, let it dry. Then sand it down to a smooth finish.

4

Wipe away the area to remove dust, and then prime and finish the wood to match the rest of the frame.

For larger areas, instead of filler, replace with timber cut to size. Fix it with either nails or strong wood glue. Prime and apply a finish to match.

5

If you notice timber rot on a door frame early, it is easy to repair and will not cause extensive damage.

External doors succumb to rot most commonly. Kitchen and bathroom doors are also prone to rotting because they are located in areas where moisture collects.

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What does wet rotting wood smell like?

Wet rot is more likely to smell than dry rot. It has a damp, musty smell that has been described as smelling earthy and like rotting soil.

What is the frame around an exterior door called?

Jamb Components

The frame is made up of three separate pieces and surrounds the door creating a “frame” in which the door can sit. The two vertical frames are called side jambs, and the horizontal frame is referred to as the head jamb. Frames are made up of composite material or solid wood.

Can rotten wood be repaired?

Rotting wood can be repaired by first removing any rot from the original board or beam of wood. Once that has been done, you can fill the area with a wood-patch or polyester filler. This material will fill the area and harden to provide strength and durability.

Does wood rot impact other parts of the home?

Yes, any part of the home where wood meets water is susceptible to wood rot.  Conduct regular inspections of these areas to spot the beginning stages of wood rot. 

Does wood rot spread?

All forms of wet rot caused by fungi spread throughout the frame and door, but will stop when encountering non-wood materials. Dry rot, on the other hand, spreads throughout the area to any items of wood with porous openings to accept the spores. 

How to Prevent Door Frame Rot

Prevent roting wood door and frame reoccurrence by following some basic steps

1

Moisture is the main offender here, so start by addressing drainage issues.

2

Clogged gutters push overflow rainwater down into the door system below, so clear out those gutters every six months.

3

Take a look at your porch overhangs, ensuring they don’t funnel large amounts of water on or around the door frame. Rejigger the downspouts so the water lands somewhere else.

4

An improperly installed storm door traps water in the space between the entry door, so hire someone to conduct an inspection to ensure proper operation. 

For larger areas, instead of filler, replace with timber cut to size. Fix it with either nails or strong wood glue. Prime and apply a finish to match.

5

Install a sill pan at the bottom of the door to direct any water elsewhere.

Consider composite door frames, which are better at resisting mold, mildew, and, of course, wood rot.

6

Conduct regular examinations of the door frame to catch wood rot at its infancy, especially following rain storms.  

TIP

White vinegar will stop wood rot

Because it is a fungicide, which has antimicrobial properties. As wood rot is caused by fungi that require an acidic environment ranging from 0-5.5 (pH), white vinegar solves the problem by changing the pH level in the wood.

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