Damp Wood Frame at Entrance (roof, foundation, paint, stone)

[marykate1]

I live in Houston, TX. Today I noticed that the door frame from outside which opens to my backyard looks damp and little black at the bottom. I am attaching pictures. How can I fix them?

When I push the frame from the bottom it feels hollow.

[marykate1]

Is this something serious?

[BirdieBelle]

Not serious in the grand scheme of things, like foundation problems or Native American burial ground.

It could be termites, it could be water damage.

You need to replace that wood trim around the door and hope it hasn't affected the other wood around it.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by marykate1

How can I fix them?

You cut out the soft/rotten and replace that.

Then you build a little roof over the door so MOST rain doesn't hit it.
Then you do something about the grade so any water that might come by ... will move on.

[azamsharp]

Hi MrRational,

You are correct it is water from rain outside. So instead of pulling the complete thing we can just replace the rotten part.

Thanks for the advice!

[reed303]

Are you sure you don't have a gutter or something dripping / leaking water onto that trim piece ? From the look of the stains on the floor, I would check it out next time it rains

[azamsharp]

Hi Reed303,

Does not seems to have gutters on top of this place with flag stone patio.

[marykate1]

Yes there are no gutters on top of that door and it is exposed to sun and rain all year long.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

My guess is that part of the problem was that the bottom edge of the board was never painted to help protect it from moisture. When you replace the board, make sure you paint that part.

[harry chickpea]

That is pretty clear evidence of wet wood and carpenter ants. Remove the trim entirely, verify that the jack posts are not affected, then replace the trim with some of the foam plastic trim that is now available. Ants don't like it and it is already white.