How To Repair Rotted Door Frame

How to repair a rotted door frame. I have an exterior door frame that water damage has rotted the wood framing and I will show you how to repair it for under $150. A new exterior door to replace this one would cost upwards of $400 plus installation costs could be as much as double the door cost. That is also assuming you could get an installer or contractor to show up. I will show you how to repair it yourself and save money. For more DIY and How To Videos; Hit SUBSCRIBE, LIKE and Leave a COMMMENT to let me know if this helped you.
Materials:
DAP Dynaflex Caulk
Valspar Exterior Paint/Primer
1 Door Jamb
3 PVC Brick Moulding
www.lowes.com/...
Paint brush
Wood filler
Sand paper 150 grit
8d 3in galvanized finish nails
Tools used:
Skil Oscillating tool
Reciprocating saw
Miter saw
Rubber Mallet
Hammer
Crowbar/Wonderbar
Speed square
Flathead screwdriver
Cordless Drill
Nail punch
Utility Knife
Caulk Gun
Putty knife
Tape measure
Videos produced by WhoJoeDaddy are provided for informational purposes only. All material provided within this video is for informational, educational, & entertainment purposes only. Some of these projects, materials, and techniques may not be appropriate for all ages or skill levels. Please use all safety precautions while following any instructions or concepts provided by this video. Viewers must be aware that by doing projects on their homes they are doing it at their own risk and WhoJoeDaddy cannot be held liable if they cause any damage to their homes. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to educate themselves on their local codes and regulations before undertaking any sort of project. Always have safety in mind and have fun!

[@billbillinger2491]

2:55 flip your square 'up' and youll get a true 90deg line.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Saw that after I watched the video. 😆 When your doing a job and videoing at the same time, sometimes your trying to think ahead of yourself.

[@kristagerst2341]

I’m wondering if the brick molding board being of pvc is enough with it being the outer piece of board and more exposed to sun and rain is it not an issue I have to worry about in using the treated pine jamb board in the cut out sections you do at the bottom on both sides? I have looked everywhere for a pvc material jamb leg and can’t find it anywhere. Only if I’m willing to buy a whole doorframe kit which I don’t want to do. Is that treated pine holding up well?

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

It’s still looks the same. Shouldn’t have any problems if you keep it painted and caulked so moisture can’t get to it. I wasn’t able to find PVC material for jam. After you buy a jam kit, you could almost replace the whole door and frame. It depends on how much you want to spend. I try to show my viewers how I do something and save money at the same time. Good luck

[@kristagerst2341]

@@WhojoedaddyDIYthanks for your response. Today I started work on mine. Didn’t finish yet but I did have a lot of old nails down in the area where I removed the small section of the old jam. I think some nails seemed like they were nailed from the outside of the jam into the threshold. Plus nails toward the outside. Is that a possibility? I didn’t notice you hammering those little door jamb sections into the threshold before placing threshold and drilling pilot holes and nailing jamb into the outside boards. Maybe a builder does that in a new construction. Can you confirm if I’m ok just to nail those sections of door jamb into the outside board, tighten down the door threshold and just put caulk between threshold and bottom of jamb since nails will be above that area before putting the new pvc brick molding boards?Thanks for your suggestions.

[@cafemolido5459]

I would have removed the threshold and looked to ensure all good under threshold.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

It was glued to concrete slab, so I wasn’t really worried about it. If it would’ve been glued to a wood floor I definitely would inspect for rot under the threshold hold. Great point I should have mentioned in the video. 👍

[@JayJay-ii5un]

Get a prehung door with brick mold. Better, quicker, almost same money.

[@gsrsl52]

I've done this repair many times. I like to make the cuts with a circular saw at a 45° angle for a better looking end result.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

It would indeed!

[@captcrow]

I had a friend ask me the other day if I could replace the rot on their garage man door, I figured it could be done and now I have the confidence to do it! thanks for the video.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

That’s awesome, just get out there and try! Nothing too it.

[@LJSask]

Not understanding why you needed to loosen entire inside wood all the way up to the top of door- couldn’t you just use the oscillating saw to cut out the rotted section only- than replace just that section and replacing the weather stripping - the upper part of wood inside door framing was not rotten - just seems like an unnecessary step

[@JVinOlathe]

Much easier to remove the hinge pins and remove the door first instead of unscrewing the hinges with the door attached. Also, if you flipped your speed square upside diwn, you would get better results than holding it at an angle.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Hinge pins is a great idea! I promise I know how to use a speed square. Lol This was actually one of my first videos so I was a little nervous and trying to think ahead of what I was doing. It’s a lot easier when your not trying to do a job and commentate for a video. 👍

[@fartherstill]

Nice job and great how to video. No wasted time with a 15 minute intro telling us what you're gonna do. Got right to work which is appreciated. Wife's been after me to take care of one of ours. Putting it off until I find one of those round tuits.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Thanks for the feedback. I try to keep my video short and to the point. That’s how I like them, I’m on here to learn just like everyone else. Good luck on finding a round tuits. 👍

[@OscarLeroy-xb1fc]

I wasn't looking for this, but its the exact project that I have already bought the materials to complete. Perfect timing - I'm on the right track.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Good luck! I found it to be a rewarding project. Didn’t realize how bad it really looked till I repaired it.

[@Subgunman]

I have a similar issue however I am replacing the bad section with a tropical hardwood that is resistant to rot. If manufacturers used at least four inches with a treated piece of wood or a tropical wood we would not have these issues. Cheap wood = rot, untreated wood = rot, they could also use a placticised wood similar to that of Trex wood used for decking material to eliminate this issue if using treated or tropical woods.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Totally agree. This door is about 25 yrs old, but some new doors are being made with 4” of PVC. You have to do your homework and ask if it is pine or PVC. They cost more but definitely worth the investment

[@raylp4751]

B etter if spliced as in a45 degree angle Also treat all exposed timber.

[@ralphsawyer9535]

Looks real nice.. good job👍

[@angelisone]

Help. What do you call the vertical wood piece (4:11, right side of finger) that is also rotted? Got that & under my windows (plastic siding, insulation foam, rotted wood). Don't know what that wood panel called to look up.

[@frankb1]

The exterior door jambs in my house are all flush with the threshold. This looks like there is a 1/2" gap between the threshold and the weatherstripping dado.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

👍

[@tsetendorjee9040]

This is an excellent KZbin about How To Repair Rotted Door Frame and thank you!!!👍👍👍❤

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Thank you! Glad you found it helpful.

[@jameswaldo8801]

Man, I could’ve used this video about 4 years ago!! 😅😅 Great video.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

[@br31woodlands69]

Great simple explanation. Thank you for taking time to show us.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Hope it helped

[@PAPATexas]

Good job on the repair!

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Thanks

[@kristagerst2341]

The door jamb you used says treated pine. Could you have cut out the old wood section you cut out at the bottom and then used a jamb made of pvc instead?

[@Anne6621]

should have angle cut the wood , then thickened epoxy and screwed them together

[@daveklein2826]

Show us your expert video

[@Anne6621]

@@daveklein2826 the joint should have been scarfed , just my expert opinion take it or leave it , dont care

[@daveklein2826]

Show us your expert video

[@Anne6621]

@@daveklein2826 bla bla bla

[@daveklein2826]

Anna that's exactly what you sound like, glad you understand your issues

[@RonKinnaman]

Where did you purchase the single stick of door jam? It appears to be primed wood. I can easily purchase the PVC brick mold 3 pc kit. Much appreciated.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Lowe’s, same isle as the molding.

[@dennisgarcia1183]

Why not replace the whole frame?

[@trw_53]

Great job!

[@bobatbilletcreations]

Nice video, Thanks for sharing!

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Thanks

[@Wornout1]

Nice job . I've only seen repairs sloping outwards tho.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Thanks 👍

[@airmailman1971]

Excellent video. Thanks for making it.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Thank you and your welcome

[@RubenMiranda-g9k]

Wonder-bar!

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Everyone needs one of these in their arsenal! It for those jobs that you wonder how I’m gonna break that free. 😂 www.homedepot.com/p/Stanley-12-in-Wonder-Bar-Pry-Bar-55-515K/100093815

[@johnlucier8572]

Would of waterproofed the underside of the wood above to be safe...

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Good point!👍

[@raylp4751]

I agree plus splice the joint. Done loads of these, snag is the new expands contracts different to old. The joint between two 100% rots if not treated or primed. It will rot faily quickly and new frame will be needed anyway ot 2 jambs.'

[@arjun9985]

same problem in my house

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Good luck 👍

[@brianyoungberg9904]

I did this about five years ago with pvc boards

[@bartmastin3272]

Good job! Thx!

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Thanks

[@danwaller5312]

Best one ive seen 👍🏻

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Thanks!

[@hagosseyoum8064]

I am in DC are you too ?

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

I’m in TN

[@David-o6b1h]

Also i recommend to use this glue u put it 6 " on bottom of jams for termites my vertical post on my patio all is holding dpatio is the steel of the post

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Good idea!

[@surferchick6730]

Great video. I know I can do this repair myself now. Thank you

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Nothing to it, good luck!

[@jeanettesimmons969]

Do I need to install gutters above deck not enclosed after I do this to prevent it rotting again. Or pvc jam does the job?

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Gutters would keep extra water off of it, but I would at least caulk around it to help keep water from getting behind the jams.

[@BarryFondaw]

Great.I have a door that the brick mold at both upper joints is bad and both bottoms.The best takeaway is the P.V.C. trim.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

You won’t regret it! Glad it helped.

[@joeweatlu5169]

New subscriber here. Very well done, and I have the same project to do. Where did you get the new jamb?

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Was able to get everything from Lowe’s. Good luck with your project!

[@Sweetlady1916]

I don't have a spinning saw, what can I use to cut out the rotted wood?? I do have a zig saw.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

I’d just use whatever you have and just work on keeping the cut as clean and straight as you can. As DIYers a lot of times we just use what we have because we don’t have the extra money to pay someone to do it or buy all the tools, but it still needs to be done!

[@virginiawright2853]

Well done!

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Thanks👍😁

[@teachn10is]

Good job. You seem like a nice fella.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Thank you, just want encourage others to DIY and save a little money.

[@SonriseSunset]

Why wouldn't you replace the whole side door jamb?

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

I tried to make a video that anyone could do and save money. You certainly could replace all of the jams or buy a complete PVC jam kit, but your cost goes up. After PVC brick molding and a PVC jam kit, you could just about buy a pre-hung door. I believe there are a lot of people trying to save every penny they can right now, but yes you could just replace the whole jam on both sides.

[@SonriseSunset]

@@WhojoedaddyDIY yes, after reading your comment, I agree. And it appears that it would be worth the extra effort. Things cost so dang much anymore today

[@Sunset2South]

Wow this was amazing!

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.

[@gamerguy425]

I have no idea why I got recommended this but I enjoyed every second of it!

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it. Hope it inspired you to tear something apart and try to put it back together. Lol

[@stephen4763]

Real nass like !

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Lol, thanks

[@JustStartAnna]

nice video!

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Thanks

[@Slyder695]

Looks good, should have bought a composit jamb piece

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Thanks 👍

[@DonB-k6j]

When your replace only part of the door jam you created a new butt joint between the old and new parts of the jam. How did you make the joint so it was not visible when finished and what steps did you take to prevent this joint from becoming visible in the future as the wood expands and contracts over time?

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

I filled joints with wood filler and then sanded joints until I had a finished look. Secured joints on both ends to the studs in the wall, which should limit excessive expansion and contraction. So I would recommend inspecting the joint whenever you are inspecting the caulking or need to repaint the door and trim.

[@bailey1000100]

It would have taken you maybe an hour more for you to use the full jamb kit and to mortise the new hinge locations on the jamb for the hinges. Also to mortise for the strike plate on the other jamb.Might as well if you went that far to just use the entire jamb kit.

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Brother I work 60 hrs a week and live on a budget. If it saves money 💰, time ⏰ , looks good and is structurally sound 👍. Your not wrong, I could’ve just bought a pre-hung door and installed it but I didn’t want to spend extra. Thanks for sharing.

[@jballs1118]

Good job my door frame is rotted on the top of the frame any tips. I probably have to get a hole frame

[@WhojoedaddyDIY]

Probably easier to get a new frame, but you want to figure out how the water rotted the top of the frame so you don’t have the same problem in a couple of years. Example: was it caulked properly, painted with exterior paint, or water coming in from behind siding?

[@jballs1118]

@@WhojoedaddyDIY Put a new frame it was a nightmare lol