07 Apr Why is Water Coming Through My Front Door?

Have you noticed water leaking in from your exterior door? Or maybe you’ve noticed more of a draft than usual. It might seem like a minor problem now, but small leaks can turn into more serious damp issues if left unchecked. 

When you spot water coming in, the first thing to figure out is why the water is coming through your front door. There are a couple of reasons it could be happening, and we’ll show you how to check each one in this post. 

Why is water coming through my front door?

There are four common reasons for a leaky front door:

• Poor caulking on the door frame
• Poor installation 
• Cracked weather stripping
• Poorly installed weather stripping

Let’s take a look at how to check for each one and how to get it fixed. 

Poor caulking on the front door frame

Any exterior door will have caulking around the edge to keep out drafts and protect your property from the elements. However, if this was done poorly, it could have cracks or gaps. 

Even a small hole or crack in the weatherproof caulking will let water leak inside. So, check the caulking around the outside of the door and see if you can spot cracks or gaps. 

If you do find an issue, your door needs to be re-caulked:

1. Use pliers to pull off the old sealant. This is a waterproof silicone barrier, so it should pull away in strips.
2. Use a scraper or knife to scrape off any leftover caulk that didn’t come away, so you have a clean surface to work with. 
3. Use a solvent to clean around the frame to remove any dust or dirt that could interfere with the new caulk. 
4. Install a new backer if the gap is very wide to reduce the gap and amount of caulk you’ll need
5. Use a caulk gun to apply the new sealant. 
6. Smooth out the caulk joints using a suitable tool to make the seal airtight.

If that seems like a lot of work, you can call our team to sort it out for you! At Park Lane, we provide expert window and door repairs and can fix a broken seal quickly and mess-free. 

Incorrect installation of the front door

If your door creaks when you open it, is difficult to open or close, or you’ve found a leak, it could just be poorly installed. 

Not all window and door companies are created equal, and it takes experience and skill to hang an exterior door correctly. 

If you think your door isn’t installed correctly, we’ll be able to come out and assess the issue. We’ll let you know if we can adjust and repair it or if it’s time to invest in a new door. 

Cracked weather stripping on front door

Weather stripping on doors does deteriorate over time. Foam tape can pull away, rubber becomes dry and brittle, and even spring-metal stripping can become warped. 

If you have old weather stripping on your door, it might just be time to replace it. This is an easy job and can stop leaks if all else is right with your door:

1. If you’re unsure which weather stripping to use, visit our showroom to consult our experts. 
2. Wash the surface with warm, soapy water and let it dry completely. 
3. Peel the backing off the weather stripping and press it into place firmly. 
4. Nail each end down to prevent the strips from peeling back up over time. 
5. Test the strips by opening and closing the door. Any difficulty means the strips are interfering with the natural movement of the door and will cause issues. 

Poor installation of front door weather stripping

If you have relatively new weather stripping already installed and you’re still experiencing leaks, it might be installed incorrectly. 

If you can see light around the doorframe, it’s a sign the weather stripping isn’t working, and it’s allowing water through. 

You’ll need to pull this off entirely and replace it with new stripping using the steps in the last section. 

Consult the Door Experts at Park Lane

If you can’t figure out why you’re door is leaking, give our team a call today. We provide expert window and door repairs in Northamptonshire. We’ll pinpoint the problem, walk you through it, and suggest the best solution to stop your leak. Call us today for a free assessment: 01604 791791. If you can see the water is leaking through because of a burst pipe or mains water issue, you can find out who is responsible by visiting Ofwat the regulators of water companies in England and Wales.