How to Stop Water from Coming in Under Your Door

Aside from looking great and welcoming new guests, your front door has one big job: stop the elements from getting inside. So when you find water leaking through the top, sides, or bottom of your entry door, it’s a good idea to figure out the cause and fix it ASAP – no one likes to step into puddles right after they enter a house!

There are several reasons why puddles might collect around your front door. Today, let’s explore how you can stop water leaking through the front door through tactical repairs or replacements.

Causes of water leaking through the front door

Any kind of leak – like roof leaks, wall leaks, or even door leaks – occurs when there’s a gap between home pieces or elements. If there’s room for water to sneak in, rest assured it’ll find a way through during the next rainy day. But when you notice moisture around your front door, look more closely for water damage, as well as the source. Finding the exact cause can help you decide how best to fix the leak permanently.

Door installation problems

Your front door will only keep out wind, water, and other elements if it's installed correctly – and that's not always the case! If you DIYed your entry door installation or if your door’s first installers missed a step during the installation process, it's possible your home's entry door:

• Isn’t aligned correctly
• Has gaps between the door frame and slab
• Was damaged during installation

In any case, an improperly installed entry door could easily let in water during a storm and cause a big draft in your house. This highlights the importance of making sure any new door is installed by experienced professionals.

Door damage or rotting

However, your door might have also sustained damage over time. Doors experience wear-and-tear damage as the years go on, and certain door materials (such as wood) can warp or rot when they’re exposed to water, and that damage can often lead to leaking.

For example, a warped door might not fit in the frame well anymore, causing a small gap to grow on the side or top. Alternatively, a door’s damaged bottom edge might result in a hole or crack, which water can sometimes slip through.

Siding damage

Your home’s exterior siding might actually be the culprit of water leaking through the door and door frame. Since your siding is your home’s first exterior barrier, holes there could allow water to seep deeper into your property’s walls. If that water continues to spread toward your door frame, it may begin to pool or leak onto the floor around that area, even though the issue stems from somewhere else.

If your front door looks to be in good condition, check your home's siding around your entry for any openings that water can leak through. Tears, cracks, and other visible damage are worth repairing quickly anyway, even if you don’t think your siding is leaking just yet.

How to Stop Water Leaking Through the Front Door (4 Solutions)

The best way to prevent exterior door leaks when it rains depends on where the problem lies and the severity of the leak. In our experience, there are four primary fixes for water leaking through a front door.

Repair or replace damaged siding

Broken or damaged siding panels should be replaced as soon as you can make it happen. It’ll help your home’s energy efficiency and could stop front door leaks from continuing to occur if the siding is indeed responsible for the leakage.

Some siding damage can simply be repaired. But in a lot of instances, it’s better to replace damaged panels with new energy-efficient siding. Like with replacing entry doors, contact skilled professionals to tackle this work and ensure there aren’t any other ways for leaks to get through to your home’s interior.

Apply caulk or weatherstripping

What if your front door is the source of the leak? If the crack or damage is small enough, a bit of elbow grease plus caulk or weatherstripping might be perfect.

Exterior caulk and silicone caulk can be applied to tiny cracks or gaps around your door frame to create a water-tight seal, filling in water infiltration points and extending your door’s lifespan. Weatherstripping, meanwhile, is best for temporarily plugging gaps or leaks around your door’s frame, especially the top or bottom of the door. However, keep in mind that if your front door regularly lets in water during storms from these kinds of gaps, you’ll eventually want to replace it completely.

Reinstall your front door

Improper entry door installation has a straightforward fix, assuming it still looks solid: reinstall it.

The big question is whether to attempt reinstallation yourself. Generally, the answer is no. It’s far better to call contractors to safely remove and then reinstall your front door. They’ll avoid damage during extraction and replacement, and they can replace any smaller parts, like the flashing or sill pan, if needed.

With a bit of luck, your entry door will last for many more years before needing an update.

Replace your old or damaged door

Some doors, though, are too old or damaged to be worth patching up. A new entry door (and frame, potentially) could eliminate water leaks and boost your home’s curb appeal at the same time.

Think of a front door replacement as the chance to upgrade your home's curb appeal, energy efficiency, and home security. For example, woodgrain fiberglass doors look just like real wood, but they’re tough and don’t rot when they’re exposed to water. Other options, like steel doors or doors with specific architectural styles, might fit your home better; the fun thing about a new door replacement is the array of options available!

Get expert door installation today

If replacing your front door is the best way to stop leaks, it’s wise to make sure your new door doesn’t have the same issues as the old one. To do that, you’ll want to contact the experts.

At Window World of the Triad, we have entry doors in a variety of fiberglass styles, including woodgrain, smooth, and modern entry doors. After you’ve found the best door for your home, you can trust our exterior remodelers in Winston-Salem, NC, to install it properly and quickly. Call us at 336-364-5014 today or request a quote online to begin!