Sliding Door Water Intrusion and Decay

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Last September our deck door shattered suddenly, and so I used the Home Depot In-Home Services to replace it with a sliding door. They came in October, replaced it, and it's been problems ever since. By the very next day after installation, it was off the track. I called that week, said there were problems, nobody ever came out, and by Thanksgiving the screen portion completely fell off. They sent the supervisor of the crew that installed it out, he said it looked like his guys had dropped something on the track during installation, and he would order a new track and would be back to reinstall it when it came in. he got the screen back on as a temporary fix but quickly came off the track again.

In February, I still hadn't heard from them so I called, and that supervisor was no longer there and they essentially had no record of this order so they re-ordered it starting from scratch. By April, still nothing. Finally after I somewhat lost it on the manager after getting locked out of my house when the door jammed again, they said they were sending someone over with a new screen. I reiterated to them I needed a new track, not a new screen. They stated over and over a new track and new screen would be placed. The guy came, only replaced the screen. I wasn't happy but he said it would stay on, and for the most part it has so I haven't complained.

Fast forward to now. I've noticed under neath the door, it's decaying. There's what looks like a piece of foam or something in the wall of our house that's kind of hanging out and the wood is rotting. I had a contractor over for something unrelated and he noticed it. He said they failed to install door flashing pan and that's why the water was pooling and rotting out under the door. I've asked two different contractors now and they both tell me this is installed with every sliding door installation, but Home Depot is telling me they would have installed it if they needed to, and it was not installed is not standard so nothing I can do. Now I need to have the wood replaced and get this door flashing pan, and I feel like Home Depot should be responsible, but curious what others say. I believe the door was obviously inadequately installed to begin with, as it kept falling off, so why would I think they would have installed what was needed and didn't so it wasn't necessary. Should this have been installed with the new sliding door? Thank you.

Featured Answer

millworkman

2 years ago

That was rotting long before HD put in the door. That should have been dealt with BEFORE the new door was installed. Opening (at least the sill) rebuilt with a sill pan of some sort for sure. The issue now is the door needs to come out and the sill piece most likely replaced along with selective other demo to see how far the water damage and rot has spread.

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Comments (8)

fleurssauvages
Original Author
2 years ago
When we had the designer over for the quote, the HD designer specifically said they would not be able to replace the door if there was any rot found by the installer, and then they would have to get a contractor out which would obviously be an additional cost on top of the quote. They installed the door, so they did not believe there was rot, or they knew there was and replaced it anyway.
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A Mat
2 years ago
The rot in your pictures was years in the making.
millworkman
2 years ago
" they would not be able to replace the door if there was any rot found by the installer, "

They lied.
kelli_ga
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
This is why I watch the installation at different stages and ask questions. The HD contractors are between a rock and a hard place. I think you should try to find a reputable independent contractor, a framing carpenter/general contractor, to come out and fix it properly and reinstall the door, and pay them.

Alternatively you could try to speak to the general manager at your HD store where you bought the door, and see if you can get them to make it right for you. If they can’t help with getting your problems fixed, they may at least be able to give you a partial refund or gift card. Maybe do this after you have the independent contractor’s estimate to uninstall and reinstall the door. HD should not have to cover the wood rot repair costs. However the installers should have been able to see enough damage to delay the installation.

For the record, I had a good door installation from HD on a problem sill that they did not have to repair. However I had serious problems with their ”free” carpet installation. You may be dealing with several layers of management that can make more problems than it’s worth, depending on the interdependencies of the installation.

Another thing to check is if the glass can be replaced independently of the door in the future. That way, if it shatters again or loses its seal, you can have a glass replacement company repair only the glass and you wouldn’t have to get a new door installed.
PRO
Minardi
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
The door suddenly shattering says that there may be rot above, with a load bearing header affected. That would put pressure on a glass door install, to shatter. There's not much else that will do that but a rock impact. This is likely far larger than that bit of rot. It's also not suddenly that rotten. That took time. I'd look at if the flashing above the door was installed properly.
ci_lantro
2 years ago
From what the picture tells us, there are problems beyond the door. Like the deck standing proud of the plate and the U channel at the bottom of the siding. Both create areas for water to pool and weep into places it shouldn't. Along with accumulated dirt & debris getting wet and staying wet.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
2 years ago
Installing the door without proper flashing is unprofessional. HD owes you a removal and reinstallation with proper flashing. You could have the rot replaced between the removal and reinstallation. Rattle their cage, please.

In Florida, this is permitted work by a licensed contractor. If you are in Florida and they had no license and/or permit, you have no legal obligation to pay them even if the work was perfect. They have no lien rights either.