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Warning Signs That Call For a Door Frame Repair

Do You Need a Door Frame Repair?

Requests for door frame repair are one of the most common calls we receive at ProMaster Home Repair & Handyman of Cincinnati. The following article and video will help you determine if your door frame is in need of a repair. I will also share a few common causes of door frame damage and simple rot prevention tips you can do yourself.

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Door Frame Repair Help

First, let’s take a look at some of the warning signs.  When it comes to door frame damage, the indications of a problem aren’t always prominent.  These problems may manifest as discoloration, missing pieces or trim, or bubbling and peeling paint.

Door Frame Repair Video – Do You Need a Repair?

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Door Frame Damage Examples

The picture below shows common damage done to a door frame from objects being moved through the doorway or animals chewing or clawing at the door frame. One might think that this damage is merely cosmetic, calling for a simple repair using wood filler.

Door Jamb Damage

After further inspection, the entire trim piece turned out to be rotted out and replacement was necessary.

Door Trim Repair

Next, we see what appears to be a small chunk of trim missing from the upper left hand corner of an exterior door frame.  Again, we might conclude that this is mere cosmetic damage.

However, notice the two nail heads as indicated by the red arrows.

Door Frame Corner Damage

This is an example of poor installation, where the installer failed to properly caulk, seal and paint the nail heads after installing the trim. This failure allowed water to enter the interior of the trim pieces and rot the wood out. Simply patching this trim area would neither be appropriate nor effective as the underlying wood is completely decayed.

Finally, take a look at the corner of this door frame. Just above that corner is a place where water can collect. Eventually, this standing water found its way into the frame, causing the unprotected wood underneath to absorb the moisture and rot. Consequently, the paint started to peel, as seen here:

Door Frame Rot

Inexperienced or lazy painters tend to simply paint over such a wound. Such shortcuts hide the larger problem for a time, but will typically exacerbate the condition causing the need for more extensive repairs in the future.

Door Frame Trim Rot

Gentle prodding at this door frame resulted in disintegration of the corner—revealing that the scope of damage was far greater than one could tell by just looking at the surface.

Prevention of Door Frame Damage

There are two important things a homeowner should do to prevent expensive door frame repairs:

  1. Avoid cheap door installers. A cheap craftsman will wind up costing you more in the long run when you have to start repairing his “repairs.” Get it done right the first time with a company like ProMaster that offers a one year warranty on all our work!
  2. Maintain your door frame periodically. Just like anything that wears out over time, you need to make sure your door frame is in good shape several times a year. Look for any nail heads that are uncovered, seams or cracks developing in the wood, or any bare wood that is exposed to a potential moisture source. Seal these potential water intrusion points with a paintable exterior caulk, finish with a matching touch-up paint job, and forget about it for a few months.

Many homeowners can do these inspections themselves and avoid requiring a professional for a long time.

What If I Need an Extensive Door Frame Repair?

Don’t worry, there is no need to panic. Many times, door frame rot can be repaired without replacing the entire door. If you are still happy with the look of door and the rest of the frame is in serviceable condition, this option is often the most cost-effective solution. You can do that yourself, or…

Let ProMaster Do My Door Frame Repair

ProMaster Home Repair & Handyman of Cincinnati is a great choice for those who don’t have the time or inclination to perform their own door frame repairs. Whether you notice peeling paint or damaged wood, ProMaster has a skilled team of professionals who understand that attention to detail, artistry and precise craftsmanship are the keys to success in any door frame repair project.

Our Master Craftsmen are professionals who have honed their carpentry skills by experience and a quest for perfection. Keep in mind that these craftsmen aren’t just carpenters; they are skilled at other home repair tasks like drywall repair, concrete & masonry, drywall & paint, electrical, flooring & tile, plumbing and roofing. Our multi-skilled craftsmen represent a distinct advantage over other repair contractors due to their ability to perform numerous tasks associated with a door frame repair project.

Call 513-322-2914
Text 513-322-2914
Click here for ProMaster Home Repair & Handyman

Comments

  1. Jill Wiltberger says

    As usual, great job on your video blog. I have just this problem on/around my front door. Can't afford to have it fixed yet, but would like to know how much I have to budget to get it fixed in the near future.

    Thanks! Jill

  2. better door installe says

    your video shows the door that your "fine craftsman" repaired, which the door frame is touching concrete. this frame will rot from the bottom up as it draws moisture from the concrete

    • MASTERMYLIST1 says

      Better Door Installer: Great point! You would be correct, if one were to use material not impervious to water. I'm sure you are well aware of the various products (cellular vinyl and extruded PVC) out on the market that look just like wood trim, but won't rot. Many of these products are also paintable to match their surroundings. Here is a great article on these materials at http://www.gpsinformation.org/homerepair/woodtrim… .

  3. The door frame will wick water, the same way a tree does, and eventually rot if the frame is not made of a rot-free material. There are lots of options available. One is FrameSaver by Endura which uses a composite material on the bottom few inches instead of wood. This way it does not wick up water. Here is the link… http://www.enduraproducts.com/product-overview/fr

  4. SCREEN DOOR IS PULL AWAY FROM THE FRAME WHEN OPENED

  5. I thought the article did a good job teaching me about signs of what repairs my door frame may need. I noticed that a lot of the pain has been peeling away from my door frame, but I didn’t really think much of it. After reading the article, it seems like my frame may need some repairs to help prevent it from incurring any further damage. Is that accurate?

    • Hi John,

      Thanks for reading our blog and for commenting! Short answer: Not necessarily. Some damage is merely cosmetic, but without seeing the damage in person, it’s difficult to know for sure. Try touching and pressing down on where the paint is peeling to check for softness in the wood; that would be the first sign of a bigger problem.

      If the damage is just cosmetic, pieces can be restored and/or repainted as needed; you can even do that yourself if you’re inclined to. But, having been at this job as long as we have, cosmetic damage can often be an indication of a bigger problem like a water leak or wood rot.

  6. I need your framework on the left side where the lock is supposed to be at its been pushed open to the wood is cracking it’s nothing holding it actually it’s just barely holding on as far as closing it and securing it on this was done while I was at work I guess someone was trying to force their way into the door and cracked the woods so the locks are not secured on the left side that one side needs to be fixed and I need to know if you all do flat rates

    • Jacob Addison says

      Jackie,

      I’m sorry to hear you’re having this issue. If you are in the Greater Cincinnati area, feel free to contact us at 513-322-2914. We’d be happy to speak with you about this issue and discuss how we may be able to assist you.

      Take care,
      Jacob

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