Water intrusion can happen beneath exterior doors during hurricanes and severe storms when wind-blown rain surpasses the weather seals or floodwater rises above the threshold. While no door can prevent flooding, professionally installed hurricane-rated doors, weatherstripping, and thresholds can keep less water from entering your home.
Florida homeowners know that wind isn’t the only threat during hurricane season. Water entering your home, even a small amount underneath a door, can wreak havoc on flooring, drywall, furniture and possessions.
Here’s what you need to know about how water gets under exterior doors and what you can do about it.
Why Does Water Get Under Exterior Doors?
Water usually gets under doors because of wind pressure, heavy rain, or floodwater.
Hurricane-force winds can blow rain horizontally against your home. This pressure can force moisture into tiny cracks around the door if weather seals are worn or the threshold isn’t installed correctly.
Overflowing floodwater can also enter your home during severe weather. If standing water or storm surge rises above the bottom of your door, it will get inside no matter how well your door is constructed.
What Parts of a Door Prevent Water From Coming In?
The door sweep, threshold, weatherstripping, and drainage all help keep water outside your home.
Door Sweep
The door sweep is the piece attached to the bottom of a door that sits along the threshold when closed. If it cracks, wears, or comes loose, water can easily slip underneath it during heavy rain.
Threshold
Thresholds create a raised seal between your home’s interior and exterior. A new threshold provides another layer of protection by directing water away from the door opening and creating a tighter seal with the door sweep.
Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping seals the gaps between the door and the sides and top of the door frame. Wind-blown rain can penetrate these areas when weatherstripping becomes compressed, brittle, or damaged.
Proper Drainage
The area surrounding your door also makes a big difference. Water will pool against the threshold if grading slopes toward your home or drainage systems are clogged.
Do Hurricane-Rated Doors Keep Water Out?
Hurricane-rated doors and screen doors offer better protection against wind and water than standard exterior doors.
They’re precision-engineered to create a tighter seal with enhanced weather stripping, reinforced thresholds, and overall construction designed to minimize water intrusion during storms.
Hurricane-rated doors can drastically reduce the amount of water entering your home during periods of heavy rain and high winds, but they aren’t made to prevent water from entering during major flooding or storm surge.
How Do You Stop Water From Coming Under Exterior Doors?
Several simple ways can stop water from entering beneath exterior doors.
Replace Worn Weatherstripping
Check whether old weatherstripping is cracked, brittle, or loose. Weatherstripping hardens over time and may not form a watertight seal like it did when new. Weatherstripping is an inexpensive fix before storm season arrives.
Install New Door Sweep
Old door sweeps wear out from years of exposure to the elements. Installing a replacement door sweep closes the gap between the door and threshold, keeping less water inside during storms.
Check Threshold
Look for signs of loose fasteners, cracks in the wood, gaps around the frame, or areas where water may pool. If the threshold is no longer level or has started to rot, you may need to replace it.
Improve Drainage Outside the Door
When grading around your home, water should flow away from your foundation. Gutters, downspouts, and soil grading should all divert water away from your home’s entryways.
Can Sandbags Block Water from Coming Under Exterior Doors?
Yes, when used correctly, sandbags can provide a temporary barrier to keep shallow water from flowing under doors.
They’re not meant to replace hurricane-rated doors or permanent flood protection solutions, but they can provide some protection during heavy rain events and major storms.
Do I Need To Replace My Existing Exterior Door?
If your exterior door lets water in during normal rainstorms, it may be time to replace it.
Additional signs that you need a new door include:
- Water coming in beneath the door.
- Visible gaps around the frame.
- Cracked, damaged, or old weatherstripping.
- A door that won’t close easily or appears warped.
- Rotting wood around the door frame.
- Rusted thresholds.
Hurricane-rated doors offer significantly better sealing capabilities. They also provide homeowners with increased home security, better energy efficiency, and superior protection against storm damage.
Does Professional Installation Matter?
Professional installation by a qualified door contractor is incredibly important.
Even high-quality doors can let water inside if they aren’t installed correctly. Proper installation ensures the frame is square, flashing directs water away from the bottom of the door, weatherstripping forms a tight seal, and the threshold is adjusted to form a tight barrier.
Licensed contractors also ensure your door meets Florida building code requirements for hurricane-prone areas.
Will Water Still Get Into My Home During Major Flooding?
Yes. Hurricane-rated doors protect your home from high winds and rain, not flooding or storm surge.
Although water intrusion should be minimized during periods of heavy rain, hurricanes bring major flooding risks. If floodwater goes over the threshold or sits against the door for too long, your home could be at risk.
Homeowners who live in flood zones should invest in supplemental flood protection to keep water out during hurricanes.
Summary
Hurricane season in Florida presents multiple threats to homeowners, including wind, rain, and flooding. Water entering around exterior doors can significantly damage your home and belongings.
Upgrading to a hurricane-rated door and keeping the weatherstripping, door sweep, and threshold in good condition can vastly improve your home’s ability to keep water out. Don’t wait until storm season is here to find out your doors need repair or replacement.
Contact Absolute Window & Door today. We’ll help you find the perfect hurricane-rated door to protect your home from storm damage.
