Water leak from parlor door

Twice over the last few years, heavy rains blowing towards the front of our north-facing brownstone led to water coming through the frame of the ground-floor door. There was gapping around the parlor door directly above it, but we filled that in and it didn’t completely solve the problem. The staircase is solid. I can’t figure out where the water is getting in, or what to do to prevent it. We plan on replacing the downstairs door, but not if it’s going to get water damage…

iranyc

in Doors 12 years and 5 months ago

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mylrob | 12 years and 5 months ago

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I was just investigating a similar problem last week and found that the source of the leak was a crack in the facade that allowed water infiltration. As someone mentioned before, water will find it’s way, even if it takes a couple of days. From the sound of it, you are experiencing this during wind-driven rain, another reason to look at the facade above the leak. If you would like my opinion don’t hasitate to call me 917.502.5704 Robert.

Arkady | 12 years and 5 months ago

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^^^^^reasonably^^^^

Arkady | 12 years and 5 months ago

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Dylan – I used Brooklyn Insulation & they were really terrific.  I got several other estimates but BI was the only company who didn’t insist on roof vents.  They said, as I thought, that the cockloft had enough air circulation to not need them.  They were resonably priced & wonderfully considerate – for instance, tidying up after the work, being sure doors were closed against escaping cats, etc.  I also asked them about insulating around window shutter boxes &, despite their having the capability, they recommended against for very compelling reasons.

Contractor | 12 years and 5 months ago

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If by staircase you mean a stoop, this is not so uncommon. You may contact me at johnbfitzgerald@aol.com, or call 917 886 9576 to discuss further. As is always the case with these sort of leaks the more specific the description of the problem the better.

daveinbedstuy | 12 years and 5 months ago

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I think the OP is talking about the exterior front doors.  If it’s not seeping in through the bottom then perhaps there are cracks in the lintel above it. You’d have to inspect not just the door frame/casing for leaks but that area above there the lintel meets the brownstone, a typical area of water infiltration.

Arkady | 12 years and 5 months ago

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When I had insulation blown into my cockloft last week, the installer said he’d had instances in which there was no seal over pocket doors & a room filled up w/ material so it could be you have a leak in the roof & from there to the pocket doors.