Door frame leaking via drainage holes

[j_s]

Hello. Seen a few topics like similar to this but my problem seems differ slightly

We have drainage holes in our pvc door frame, which do feed through and let water through to external exit holes.

however they also seem to let water through the door frame which collects internally in the area in the blue circle.

Is this due to damage? Or has there been a mistake during installation? And is there anything I can try short of re installing the frame?

Thanks

 

[RrogerD]

Is the blue circle shown in the pic, internal? It's just that it looks like an external step.
With regards water not fully exiting through the holes, you may find that they are blocked. You can try poking a wire or pipe-cleaner in from both inside and out. Be careful not to get it stuck. Or, get your head down and blow into the holes?
I had similar in one of mine. In the end I drilled additional holes to let it drain.

 

[ronniecabers]

That distinctly looks like laminate flooring the same side as the.drainage holes? If so then first biggest issue is that the drainage is draining into the building and the door has been fitted the wrong way round. If the blue circle is on the outside , at least some of the water is leaving the building

 

[j_s]

Thanks for the replies. The photo is misleading. Its taken from the inside facing out. So drainage outlet is facing externally and appears to be clear - water flows out where it is supposed to but it ends up in the internal blue corner too.

On closer look I'm thinking the water is actually getting through the corner of the frame here.

Are these sealed during manufacture/installation? Guessing a bit of silicone would probably do the trick either way.

 

[ronniecabers]

In theory the gasket should cover the corner so no water can get in there. It is possible the door isn't getting enough compression against the gasket when closed , allowing water to get past. Is the Door lock always engaged by pulling up the handle ? As full compression isn't achieved until the locking mechanism is fully engaged. If only the centre latch is used , you can move the top and bottom of a door quite a bit , and if compression isn't achieved water will.get past.

 

[j_s]

Thanks yes we do turn the handle upwards as standard yeah - as you say not a great seal otherwise.

I assumed a bit of ingress was inevitable though as if the gasket was fully effective the drainage holes seem surplus to requirement.

Tbf the door is getting on a bit so probably could use new seals.

Surely the frame itself should be watertight regardless though? - if only to avoid water getting down through the join whilst the door is open.

 

[ronniecabers]

The drainage holes only use the outer ' chamber ' of the pvc thus preventing water running in else where . The drainage will either be face drain or base drain, I am unsure as to which you have . If gave drainage , check under the door is sealed correctly. If base drainage then there is a possibility the ends of the cill.( assuming its sat on one ) may not have beem sealed correctly, only two ways to find that out unfortunately, either remove the door , or remove plaster internally until you can see the end of the cill.
Personally I would try running a hospipe over it ( spray the water to simulate rain) , starting at the bottom and working my way up, allowing a few moments for water to potentially sleep in. Obviously have someone inside and the door fully locked closed when you do it. This will hopefully answer whether its the rubber seals , or a drainage issue...or somewhere else

 

[aveatry]

Thanks for the replies. The photo is misleading. Its taken from the inside facing out. So drainage outlet is facing externally and appears to be clear - water flows out where it is supposed to but it ends up in the internal blue corner too.

On closer look I'm thinking the water is actually getting through the corner of the frame here.

View attachment 396571

Are these sealed during manufacture/installation? Guessing a bit of silicone would probably do the trick either way.

What about water making its way under the threshold

 

[RrogerD]

The drainage holes only use the outer ' chamber ' of the pvc thus preventing water running in else where . The drainage will either be face drain or base drain, I am unsure as to which you have . If gave drainage , check under the door is sealed correctly. If base drainage then there is a possibility the ends of the cill.( assuming its sat on one ) may not have beem sealed correctly, only two ways to find that out unfortunately, either remove the door , or remove plaster internally until you can see the end of the cill.
Personally I would try running a hospipe over it ( spray the water to simulate rain) , starting at the bottom and working my way up, allowing a few moments for water to potentially sleep in. Obviously have someone inside and the door fully locked closed when you do it. This will hopefully answer whether its the rubber seals , or a drainage issue...or somewhere else

You sometimes find that people run sealant along the base of the door, not realising that they are blocking the drainage outlet.
to the OP, Can you post a pic of the outside face inc cill / step.

 

[ronniecabers]

Oh totally agree about the potential sealing of the gap between cill and bottom of door when its base drainage...see it all the time especially from Handyman/Odd job type people who think they know where the leaks coming through and its a nice quick fix lol.

 

[j_s]

The external drainage holes are definitely working ok. Theyre not blocked externally, have been fully cleared out and water flows freely.

Ive been testing with a watering can and theres no ingress if i drench the step/frame.

Water only appears if I direct it at the door itself.

So I'm fairly sure water is getting past the gasket and down through the join highlighted.

Time for new gaskets I think.

Can the join in green be resealed too though?

 

[RrogerD]

The external drainage holes are definitely working ok. Theyre not blocked externally, have been fully cleared out and water flows freely.
View attachment 396590

Ive been testing with a watering can and theres no ingress if i drench the step/frame.

Water only appears if I direct it at the door itself.

So I'm fairly sure water is getting past the gasket and down through the join highlighted.

Time for new gaskets I think.

Can the join in green be resealed too though?

View attachment 396589

It may be that join at fault although never come across that before. I see no reason why you can't run some sealant along it.
You may find it is just the sheer quantity if rainwater being too much for the drainage holes and overflowing inwards. Due to door seals, door adjustment leaking of the lower panel etc.

 

[aveatry]

Does the door have a rain deflector on the bottom -- as per RrogerDs ideas.

 

[ronniecabers]

Does the door have a rain deflector on the bottom -- as per RrogerDs ideas.

Id say looking at those pictures no it doesn't

It may be that join at fault although never come across that before. I see no reason why you can't run some sealant along it.
You may find it is just the sheer quantity if rainwater being too much for the drainage holes and overflowing inwards. Due to door seals, door adjustment leaking of the lower panel etc.

That joint can indeed be sealed , it would normally be welded, very unusual for it to be damaged ( if it actually is) , and the point about being overwhelmed is very very valid especially if it is leaking on very windy days , as the drainage would pressurise focing water into the property through the weakest link ...the rubber seals.

 

[j_s]

After further testing you are indeed right @RrogerD & @ronniecabers

The frame was simply being overwhelmed and tracking water down into the bottom corner. Couldn't see it with the naked eye but used some tissue paper to check for ingress that way and yep it's coming through.

@aveatry no we don't have a deflector so will get one of those installed.

Thanks for all the above pointers - much appreciated!