Home Maintenance Tip: Side Entry Garage Doors

by Robert Colen

A home maintenance item that does not get a lot of attention, but certainly deserves it is the side entry garage door. These are the service doors that exit from a garage and usually do not have more than 16 inches of overhang protection from the soffit above. Consequently, these doors are exposed to rain, sun, wind, and other elements. 

As a result of the year-round pounding that the door gets from the environment, it is only natural that it experiences some wear and tear. If the door is not maintained properly, there is a good chance that the frame around the door will begin to rot. The door itself might get damaged as well. When a door begins to rot, it can be susceptible to termites. Additionally, once the door starts to decay, the frame can literally start disintegrating allowing water, pests and vermin to enter the garage.

Here's a list of my recommendations on what you can do EVERY SIX MONTHS to protect the side garage door:

1. Do a quick visual inspection of the caulking and paint along the brick mold and at the threshold . The brick mold is the casing around the door frame.  You want to make sure that water is not seeping inside and being soaked up by the wood. 
2. At the same time you check the caulking, also check the door, the frame and the molding for any discoloration along the bottom. If water is getting into the wood, you will see it start to brown or gray.
3. During this visual inspection, you will want to check the threshold to make sure that there is no debris build-up between it and the weather strip.
4. Every two years, replace the caulking at the bottom of the door frame. Obviously, if it is cracking or deteriorating prior to that, then go ahead and replace at that time.

Maintaining the side door can be very simple and fast. Yet, it is another important facet of maintaining your home. 

Robert Colen is the manager of World Home Improvements and the warranty manager for On Top of the World Communities.