Replies

1. Expert Member
   Zephyr7|Oct 05, 2020 04:38pm|#1

   A small awning over the door will help to keep water from sheeting down the siding and flowing into the door. This doesn’t have to be much, It’s closer to kick-out flashing than what you’d think of as an actual awning. I’ve put in small awnings like this before on commercial doors at the bottom of big block walls to deal with water issues.

   Bill

2. 
   Walter Ahlgrim|Oct 05, 2020 05:00pm|#2

   To my eye that door is install poorly without any flashing. My guess is lots of water is getting into the walls and it the very likely a rotten mess inside the walls.

   Are the bugs you are seeing termites or carpenter ants?

   The smart move would be to remove the siding and do a correct install or remove the door and reside the wall.

   Walta

1. 
   cotto11|Oct 05, 2020 05:11pm|#3

   Honestly it’s more beetles and such, occasional carpenter ant but nothing crazy. As far as water really haven’t noticed an issue but that doesn’t mean it isn’t bad underneath.

   More concern was just cold air seeping In during the winter. I thought about removing the door but it is nice to have an escape on the 2nd floor god forbid anything happens. Removing the door would also mean removing the fire escape but I don’t know

   Also was told my siding has insulation backer which you can’t get anymore. House was built in 68’, not sure how true that is.

1. 
   Steve Knapp CZ 3A Georgia|Oct 06, 2020 09:26am|#4

   I would investigate the opening further if you are seeing occasional carpenter ants during the day. Carpenter ants are more active at night. The lone daylight ones are usually scouts.