Note that if the sliding glass door leak you described has already worked its way under any adjacent exterior siding you ll likely have to remove and reapply that siding as well in order to install the new material and repair the leaking sliding glass door but the extra effort will be well worth it the next time coastal winds blow rain your way.
Sliding glass door air leak.
However because of the design of most sliding doors it is not always possible to stop air from leaking around the seals especially with age and heavy usage.
Once you ve exposed the top sides and bottom of the door you can assess what needs to be.
I used this tape for sealing.
Sliding glass door seals can help stop air from leaking into or outside of your home.
The amount of cold outdoor air leaking in through a just a small unsealed spot can be increased several times by the wind blowing against the door.
If a frame is crooked water can leak into the gaps between door and frame.
This method is far from pretty and the insulated board can be expensive but it s effective.
One of the easiest ways to block the wind is to build a covered windbreak around your door.
Air leaks around the window frame water leaks into the building wall and rot or insect damage traced to a gliding window frame that does not drain properly possibly debris clogged drain openings sloppy flashing or caulking around the window leading to leaks into the building walls.
Spray the door and look for the leak location.
Aim a garden water hose with a sprayer set on mist or low at the outside of the sliding door.
This allowed us to see the temperature of surfaces such as our sliding glass doors and where we had air leaks.
Have a reputable sliding door contractor remove the door if it has not been damaged build a new frame and reinstall the door.
This handy tool will cost anywhere from 20 to a couple hundred dollars depending on the brand and quality.
Test the door for the location of the leak.
Blocking the direct force of the wind from blowing against your sliding glass door helps considerably.
In this video i show you how i repaired a leak by replacing an incorrect capping job.
Damaged seals can increase your utility bills but with a good tuneup those sliding glass doors once again will become a great investment.
If you cannot re create the leak problem inspect the interior of the door for stains or rust.
Be sure to tape thin sheets of plywood over the glass to protect the door from flying pieces of concrete.
Use insulated foam board.