Expert: Dave Johnson - 1/7/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
Please HELP! I have a problem that is really become a bear. I have a single family home in Buffalo that used too have a solarium (green house) located on the upper porch which sits on a brick/concrete front room addition. (at least I think it wasn't original to the house. I removed the solarium (now I know why it was there!) and replaced the sliding glass doors with french doors. The people that installed the french doors did no flashing to my knowledge so as a result it rains in my front foyer mostly when we get a combination of snow melting and rain and to a lesser degree when it just rains. Mostly the water seems to becoming from under the left corner of the doors and directly in the middle. Can you tell me the best surefire way to waterproof this? I can send additional pictures if it helps, this only let me select one.


ANSWER: Hi Paul,
There was no pic delivered. But I think I can help.
If I read this right, you now have an open deck where the solarium was...?

Let me ask a few questions:
Is my above statement correct?
If so, is there a step from the new doors onto the deck?
What type of siding is there around the doors?
If you want, you may use my e-mail address for pics.  

macdave@dishmail.net  

I'll be around here all evening if you're avilable.

Dave

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dave,
Thanks for responding so quick. All I have here at work are before pictures with the solarium, Ill send those (to your email) and some after when I get home. The doors are located under the turret. Yes it is an open deck now. There isnt really a step per say, the bottom door jamb is raised about 4 inches above the outside deck. No flashing was done to the inside of the door jamb that I know of. I tried to seal the bottom with a 6 inch fiberglass membrane flashing with an acrylic paint, which is what I used for the whole deck. The siding is clapboard.
Thanks so much...
Paul

ANSWER: Paul,
If there is any way the installer is liable for this poor installation, try and get him to repair... ( or maybe a good chokig is in order).

My thinking is to remove the doors,and probably some siding, and re-do the flashing. If you try a "quick fix" it will more than likely compound the problem.

So, remove the door, make sure the head flashing, side membrane and sill flashing are all addressed.
Head: aluminum strip under the siding and over the door frame
Sidewall: use some "ice and water shield" membrane under the door frame and out under the siding at least 4".
Sill: Same membrane as sidewalls, continuous from inside the door sill out to and over the 4" step you have.

I realize this sounds like a pain, but it really needs to be done right.
Best of luck,

Dave

and please check in if you need more

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Dave,
Thats basically what I thought. Quick question though, why aluminum on the top door jam and not the "ice and water shield? Also could you give me a little more detail about under the door frame? Does it have to be sloped (Pitched) at an angle towards the decking. I've also read some things about a drip pan to catch any moisture that still may get through. Have you heard or would you recommend using this?
Thanks again,
Paul

Answer
Hi Again Paul,
The aluminum is a "store bought" item and is shaped to go from up the wall, across the header trim and about 1/4" down the face of the header.

The water shield membrane under the door sill should be placed as mentioned before, and the side pieces down over it. Additionally, you could use a good grade of caulking between the door and membrane. There should be no water entering if this is done.

However, you should look for other ways for the water to enter, like poor siding application under or around the door...

Dave