Sliding Door Sill Rotting Out

Removing and replacing a rotten sill plate.

Sliding door sill rotting out.

A rotten sill plate is a common occurrence in old houses and a big problem. It fits tightly between wall studs and under the jambs and casing so it has to be cut before it can be removed. Water becomes trapped under the bottom of the. Remove the old door sill from beneath the door frame.

Exterior sliding doors usually incur rot due to improper sealing of the door along the bottom edge. The sill is beveled on one side to drain water away from the house. To remove and replace a door sill. The rot typically occurs on the vertical stiles of the door on the left and right where the end.

Stepping through the floor was not the first hint that it had rotted out but it sure moved the floor repair up on the priority list for a house with plenty of remodel projects to do. 3 6 3 8 4 6 4 8 and so on. Other clues about the floor damage included discolored flooring mold along the wall and lots of opportunity for water leaks with washer toilet and water heater. Remove the screws holding the metal threshold in place.

The ledger board is used to attach a deck to the house. The sill is the piece of wood closest to the ground either on a foundation or piers and is usually a timber sized board. Water penetrating into the sill initiates rot. Short slide show video summary 2 min of how to replace a rotten wooden door sill.

After a few years the sill deteriorates to the point of no return. Wood rot problem with patio doors are more often due to the ledger board not being installed properly. Pull the rubber gasket out of the grooves on the metal threshold. Cut the rotten door sill into pieces using an oscillating tool or circular saw.

Most exterior thresholds also have a sill beneath them. If the threshold is rotted the sill probably is too. Sliding patio doors made from wood can have water problems similar to front doors when it comes to splash back from the deck or patio outside these doors.