This post is all about fixing a building error from 1996. Why it was like that, how to fix it, and how it can be avoided in the future. As we love to walk right out of the house onto the new concrete patio, having the patio door functioning is very important, so Tyler set out to fix our Patio Door.

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Published December 16, 2022
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Cost to Fixing this Patio Door Error

Truly, there was no cost to this project as we had the materials needed in the garage from other projects.

This job, fixing the patio door, did not cost us anything out of pocket, which was truly amazing.
Even though the door is old, it still works and was not needing to be replaced then.

As this was not the first Patio Door job we have done in the last 3 years, the materials were within reach in the garage. Because of this, the cost of this job was honestly $0.00. However, make sure to look into material cost if you are embarking on a job like this.

Materials Needed to this Patio Door Project

Vacuum
Caulk
Sharp knife/Utility blade
Drill
Insulation
Sill Tape/Flashing Tape
Waterproof membrane
Wood
Shims
Tyvek
Tyvek Tape

Some of these items we needed to replace what was already there or broken with the door.

Remove the Patio Door

Within a year of moving into this house, we decided to get rid of the old wooden deck that was right off of this Patio Door, as it was actually built well-enough, but the flow was bad and causing issues with drainage off the roof.

We decided to keep the timbers and remake them into the floor of a tree fort for the kids. This is much more loved than being a deck!

As we no longer had a deck, and the price of wood materials was INSANE in 2020, we decided to make a concrete patio. If you want to see all of that process, click the link below! This was a fun job, costs us just in material, and ended up adding over $12K to the houses value!

How we added over $12K to our house value!

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Why take the patio door off?

The main reason we took this 90’s patio door off, was because the sill was completely set on rotten wood. The original builders must not have placed any weather-proof membranes under the door before installation.

This then caused bugs to bet in and eat away at the door. Plus, in the summer, there was a constant stream of ants coming in that point. It was awful.

When the door was removed, the extent of the damage was then known. Tyler then had to rebuild the sill, reinforce it, and apply a waterproof and weather membrane to protect the sill. And of course, Elliana came to inspect daddy’s work.

When laying a Flashing Tape or waterproof membrane on a sill, door or window, make sure to lay it so you have around a foot that goes up both sides, and the cuts and overlaps are positioned just so that the water washes OFF and not IN.

Additionally, there was no vapor barrier on the walls to stop the elements from destroying the walls. In addition to the sill being fixed, the walls received new layers of Tyvek.

Tyvek on the walls

Once the Tyvek was installed, sill tape was then used to make sure the Tyvek will not move. This tape is rubber and so unbelievably sticky! When the weather is chilly, using a heat gun can help to re-stick the adhesive. Just make sure to not place the heat gun directly on the surfaces but keep it a short distance away.

When using Tyvek, make sure you use the proper taping material that is also rated for use with Tyvek. Tyvek Seam Tape helps to secure the material before the siding can be installed.

This project was done just on time, as the fall colors are just starting to change. Winter is coming, and we need to make sure the Patio door is properly weatherproof.

Reinstall the Patio Door

The Patio Door finally was installed, back into the jam, and our weather problem is now fixed! The sill is solid, the frame has proper weatherproofing, and the door finally has insulation around the edges where there was none before.

Once the door was fully installed, Tyler then replaced the siding on the patio door wall. As we installed two egress windows, this garage wall siding was removed to help replace broken pieces and pieces that were needed to finish a wall.

To side or not to side

We do have plans to reside this wall, just not this year. And, with the Tyvek, the wall will be good until we can get to this siding project.

Finishing the inside of the Patio Door

When the sill and the siding were done on the patio door, the outside of this job was done. However, the inside needed to be buttoned up. Firstly, the doors were placed back into the sill, making sure it ran smoothly.

In addition to the doors running smoothly, the trim needed to then be replaced back around the door. There were many pieces that needed to be replaced, nailed, and fitted back around the door. Once this was done, the door was officially done! It gives such peace to know the door will no longer be a home for ants, with proper weatherproofing around all sides.
Thanks for stopping by!

This post was all about how to fix a 90’s building error on the patio door.
~Monica

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