A sliding glass door is one of the biggest openings in your house, and it sits right at deck or patio level where water collects. When a patio door leaks, the problem is almost always at the bottom: the sill and the framing underneath it.
Why Sliding Doors Leak
When we take out old sliders, we regularly find rotted subfloor and rim joist under the threshold. The usual causes:
- No sill pan. Water that gets past the door has nowhere to go but into the framing.
- The deck or patio is too high or slopes toward the house, so water sits against the threshold.
- Sealant used as the only defense instead of real flashing tied into the house wrap.
How We Install a Sliding Glass Door
- Remove the old door and inspect the opening, especially the sill and subfloor.
- Repair any rot in the subfloor, rim joist or framing, and show you what we found.
- Install a sloped sill pan so any water that gets in drains back out.
- Set the door level and square, so it slides smoothly and the weatherstripping seals.
- Flash the sides and head into the house wrap, shingle-style.
- Air seal and insulate the gap around the frame, then trim inside and out.
Choosing a New Door
Look for a door with insulated low-E glass, good weatherstripping and a solid locking system. Vinyl and fiberglass doors need little maintenance. Wood or wood-clad doors look great but need more upkeep on the exterior. We will help you pick a door that fits the opening, your budget and how you use it.
Repair or Replace?
If the door is hard to slide, the rollers or track may just need service. If the glass is fogged, the seal has failed. If water is getting in at the bottom or the frame is soft, it is time to replace the door and fix the opening properly.
Need a new patio door or have a leaking slider?
Window and door replacement · Leak investigations · Call 401-919-1795
