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How to stop rain coming in under this garage door?

We're converting our garage into a rumpus room and has used epoxy to freshen up the concrete floor. We had a huge downpour yesterday and found a large pool of water behing the door this morning. I've looking into external door seals, but the door is hollow and smaller than a standard size so difficult to fit a door seal at the bottom.

My thoughts are: an awning (longer term plan) to provide some protection; a wooden, painted threshold/piece of timber at the base of the door frame fixed to the floor and thirdly, a new door fitted with external door seal (more expensive). The door faces west so cops the rain quite a bit. Open to suggestions, thanks!

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Heidi81. It's fabulous to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about weatherproofing a door.

Hollow core doors have a solid timber frame around their perimeter, including the bottom edge. So, you might still be able to install a proper door seal. You wouldn't have any issue at all using a self-adhesive version. Door seals are cut down to suit the size of your door, so fitting to a door smaller than the standard size shouldn't be an issue.

If your threshold is not sloped away from the door, then even with a seal, the water will creep under the door. If this is the case, then your idea of installing an awning or a timber beading at the bottom would be a good solution.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Dave-1

Afternoon @Heidi81

Id definently go with @MitchellMc's suggestion on this one. I had the same issue and installed one looking very much like the link shows. Its still working a dream tho I do need to tighten up the screws underneath the flap as they are catching (its been there for 3ish years)

It took all of 5mins to install 🙂

Dave

Heidi81

Thanks for your reply Mitchell. I thought the only external door seals that stop rain are fitted on the bottom of the door so thought this wasn't an option (due to the hollow and already shortened door?). Do you think the adhesive one may help? I'm also looking at installing a timber beading as you suggested. Thank you! 🙂

Heidi81

Thanks Dave, I'll give this a go.

JacobZ

Hi @Heidi81,

There's no difference in the functionality between an adhesive weather seal and one that is screwed in place, so the choice is entirely yours as to what you use.

However, typically a weather seal that is screwed in place will last longer as there is no adhesive that can break down and lose adhesion over time.

As @MitchellMc mentioned, hollow core doors will still have a piece of timber at the base called a bottom rail.

In most hollow core doors, this rail is 30mm thick, so unless a large chunk of the door has been cut out, you should be able to screw a weather seal to the bottom of the door.

If you are fairly sure that enough of this rail has been removed that a weather seal can't be screwed in place, you should use an adhesive seal. It will carry out the same function, but you may need to replace it sooner than you would one that is screwed in place.

Keep us in the loop if you have any other questions along the way.

Jacob

Nailbag

Hi @Heidi81 I’ve installed countless weather shields and the screw in type that @MitchellMc recommends is definitely the most effective and long lasting. It takes about 15min to install. You will need a drill, pencil and tape measure and a hacksaw.

if after that your still getting water in, then the door will need to be trimmed about 10mm off the bottom and the weatherstrip refitted. Then something like a shower bead glued to the concrete floor level with the inside edge of the door. This combo will replicate a standard door sill and prevent water entering inside.

regards Nailbag.

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