How to Repair the Rotted Section of a Door

Door rot can weaken a home's security.

There are many reasons why it may become necessary to repair a section of a door, but wood rot is one of the most common. Wood rot often affects sections of a door that are exposed to heat and moisture, such as the door jamb or frame. A door jamb, the vertical section of the frame, should be immediately repaired once it has become rotted to maintain the security of the door and prevent further damage. According to BobVila.com, rot in doors also can affect structural integrity and energy efficiency.

Things You'll Need

• Chisel
• Shim
• Reciprocating saw
• Utility knife
• Flat pry bar
• Heat gun
• Tape measure
• Table saw
• Treated lumber
• Galvanized deck screws
• Long finishing nails
• Hammer
• Siliconized acrylic latex caulk
• Caulking gun
• Paintbrushes
• Oil-based primer
• Latex exterior paint

Instructions

Removing Rotted Section

1. Use a chisel to scrape away the rotted section of the door jamb.

2. Place a shim between the door jamb and the door trim to pry the trim away from the jamb, then cut around the edges of the outside door trim using a reciprocating saw.

3. Remove the paint on the inside door casing of the door jamb using a utility knife, then use a flat pry bar to pull the casing away from the wall. Be careful not to completely remove the door casing.

4. Use the pry bar to create a gap between the door jamb and the extension jamb (strip of wood next to the door jamb), then use the reciprocating saw to remove the nails.

5. Use the reciprocating saw to cut the bottom of the extension jamb (near the floor), then pull it away from the wall. Cut the door jamb several inches above the rotted section of wood using the reciprocating saw.

6. Remove the remaining pieces of rotted wood, then use a heat gun to thoroughly dry the surrounding wood.

Replacing Rotted Section

1. Measure the section of the door jamb that needs to be replaced using a tape measure, then use a table saw to cut a treated board to that size. (A 2-by-4 is often the right size, but choose lumber that matches the piece you removed.)

2. Attach the piece of wood to the door using galvanized deck screws to secure the new door jamb in place.

3. Use long finishing nails to reattach the piece of extension jamb you previously removed from the door, then nail down the door casing you lifted from the door using the same type of nails.

4. Fill any gaps in the door jamb and frame using siliconized acrylic latex caulk.

5. Use a paintbrush to apply a single coat of oil-based primer to the door, then apply a coat of latex exterior paint to the door once the primer has dried.

References

• Hammer Zone: Repairing A Rotted Door Jamb
• Bob Vila: Wood Rot in Frames, Sills and Thresholds