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HAH · Apr 23, 2009, 09:15 AM

Both of my exterior doors have rotted trim. When pulling off the old trim I discovered that the frame of the door on one side is rotted as well. Can I replace that part of the frame without buying a whole new pre-hung door?

I know nothing about doors and frames.

RickJ · Apr 23, 2009, 09:26 AM

The cause of the rot may be a concern... are you speaking of dry rot, moisture damage, bug damage..

Unless the problem is serious, I would just ignore the "rotted" door frame and replace the trim as you planned to from the beginning.

What's hidden and not causing a problem is no problem in my book :)

... the above is just what I would do.

HAH · Apr 23, 2009, 10:04 AM

It's water damage. Unfortunately it is the exposed part of the frame that is rotted. It's where I need to nail the trim in.

creahands · Apr 23, 2009, 10:06 AM

Hi hah

U can replace the door jamb and use the existing door. The rot will only get worse with time. If rot is extensive, may effect structure/framing.

Push an awl through rotten area into studding to see of it is soft. This is a sign that the studding is also rotting.

Check caulking around door frame where it meets siding.

Good luck

Chuck

RickJ · Apr 23, 2009, 10:12 AM

I've not had good experience with replacing the trim and not the door. Routing the places for the hinges can be a royal pain in the rump.

... so shop around for a pre-hung... there are some deals out there.

... or consider "scabbing" on a piece of trim...

... or see if you can, as HAH suggests, find trim for replacement... but don't forget about the hinges for the door.

HAH · Apr 23, 2009, 10:58 AM

Here are pictures of what the frame looks like after pulling the trim off.

HAH · Apr 23, 2009, 11:04 AM

Apr 049 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Apr 050 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

My attachments didn't work. Here are links to the pictures.

RickJ · Apr 23, 2009, 11:23 AM

Yep, that's water damage from a lack of caulking... or the siding not doing it's job.

... since the damage is apparent even where the new trim would not cover, I recommend either a new pre-hung OR a new "jamb" (as creahands suggests) IF you can easily route the place for the hinges (which my be a lot of work).

ballengerb1 · Apr 23, 2009, 12:33 PM

I am with Rickj on this. Replacing a door frame piece is too much work since the jamb must come completely out. You need to replace the entire frame and, unless you are 100% in love with the old door, replace everything with prehung. That door was off to the side but it looks like maybe its steel, is it?

HAH · Apr 23, 2009, 01:13 PM

It is a steel door.

ballengerb1 · Apr 23, 2009, 01:35 PM

Thought so, then it may be worth saving but you will have to do some work to set the door in a new non prehung frame. Find yourself a lumber yard or big box that can supply the frame that best fits your old door. Like Rickj mentioned, cutting the hinges will be fun. Once mounted in the new frame reset the frame in the door opening and shime on the hinge side until plumb and square, then attach the lock side to te frame shimming until you have an 1/8" reveal.

21boat · Apr 23, 2009, 01:53 PM

I'm with Bal 1 on this. The repair on a jamb is called a Dutch repair. Its done but not to often. You already have the trim off Jambs are easy to take out now. The pre Hung is cheap as far as labor verses results here.

Also now it the time to counter flash if you need to for water prevention in the future.

creahands · Apr 23, 2009, 06:24 PM

I agree with ball and boat.

U should replace frame/jamb and prehung new door would be the easiest way to go.

Good luck

Chuck